Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A first class account of another famous ship., 27 April 2009
Dr Robert D. Ballard seems not to know when to stop - and why should he? We who admire his work and, of course, his books, are much the richer through his sharing of his many adventures with us.
Just as soon as I took delivery of "Return to Midway" I was aware I was a holding a 5 Star Book and there was nothing contained within it's 190 pages to make me take away any of those stars. On the contrary, I could so easily have added stars for the factual detail, the readable style of writing, the photography and undoubtedly the artwork. But, in the same way as 5 stars are the most that can be awarded to either a military Generals or an hotel, so 5 stars are the most I could possibly allot to this particular book - and each one is thoroughly well deserved.
As the name suggests, this book is about the author's return to Midway - the scene of one of the fiercest naval battles of WW2. In what has become his customary style, Dr Ballard skilfully takes the reader through his own journey towards his eventual goal whilst giving an accurate account of the Battle of Midway itself. In so doing, he treats us to historic facts, memories from some of those who were there (Americans and Japanese), documents, maps, historic photographs and his own photography which are all combined to produce a story which is as complete as it should be.
The greatest loss on the US side during the battle was the 19,900 ton Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown - and Ballard's discovery of this wreck almost 3 miles down on the seabed is as great a discovery as either the Titanic or the Bismarck.
Having found this famous and yet elusive ship so deep, the author has again skilfully put together the most complete account of his search, discovery and final success. The various underwater photographs of the ship are then cleverly matched with a description of what the reader is looking at coupled with a photograph of that particular view from when the ship was afloat.
As I have said before when reviewing this man's work; As I know from researching and writing about lesser ships, he really has done the most thorough job of work on all fronts.
Once again, the book's front cover shows the artwork of Ken Marschall. From thousands of photographic images taken far below the surface, montage after montage of the various sections and profiles of the USS Yorktown were created so that Mr Marschall was able to provide us with a number of paintings which are every bit as accurate as a colour photograph.
I congratulate Dr Ballard on yet another excellent and professional job of work. Once again he has succeeded where others only dream.
NM
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3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very enjoyable and gripping read, 17 Jan 2000
Return to Midway tell's the story of deep ocean exploration, and the search for the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, and the three Japanese aircraft carriers. The author Robert Ballard is synonymous with finding lost ships, and an acknowledged expert in this field. The book is a comprehensive record, and takes the reader on an interest filled journey. The reader experiences the highs and lows as the author combs the ocean floor. The book can be divided into three parts:The team and equipment. History. Present day. In the team part of the story, Ballard introduces the personnel working on the project. The enormity of the task and the research involved. Travelling with the expedition are four veterans of the battle, two Americans and two Japenese. The finding of a ship on the sea floor is not straight forward. The effect of the current as the ship descends to the depths, plays its part, as does the position given by the navigating officer, making estimates in the heat of battle. The history section covers the period of how America came into the war, the battle of Midway, and the sinking of Yorktown. Some of the combatants have in the post-war years, recorded their experiences. The two Japenese aviators tell of their actions in the air, and on board the Japanese aircraft carriers. The two Americans tell of their part in the battle, one who was on the Yorktown, and the other who flew in the attacks on the Japanese fleet. In the present day section, we see photographs, taken by remote operated vehicle, of the Yorktown on the ocean floor. The photographs are cross referenced to the artwork of Ken Marschall. Throughout the book the author uses photographs of the period, and the work of war artists. A very enjoyable and gripping read.
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3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a lovely record of the search and the find, 1 Jun 2001
Very good book on the search for Yorktown and some wonderful illustrations. The personal records of some of the veterans on board the search ship are well worth the read.
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