Great book

[Spooooooooooooooooooooon]

You'll recognize some of the ships you see in game.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Destroyer-Captain-Guadalcanal-Battles/dp/1591143845/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_0/157-2611878-1565404?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NTEQ1TE3ASCN9TVZ4JC5

 

 

[Warped_1]

Yep, fantastic book.  I have two copies

 

[DoomStomper]

Probably the most commonly recommended book on this forum, and for good reason - it's an excellent read.

 

As WG has stated plans to add historic 'epic commanders' at some point, Tameichi Hara should definitely be the first one for the IJN.

[HazeGrayUnderway]

The only Pre-War IJN DD skipper to survive the war and he had been in some serious s--t.  This isn't some book by an admiral talking over maps and strategy, Hara was "In the s--t" with the Destroyers and Light Cruisers doing the REAL FIGHTING for the IJN.

[Estimated_Prophet]

Recently received an Amazon coupn as a gift; looks like a book worth picking up with that.

[bat1159man]

I will have to get that book - looks to be a great read - thanks for sharing +1 OP

[JervisBay]

Quote from the Amazon advertisement: "....he maintained a code of honor worthy of his samurai grandfather".

 

Yeah...I'm sure that his "code of honour" would have been really appreciated by allied POWS at the time.

[JervisBay]

 

As WG has stated plans to add historic 'epic commanders' at some point, Tameichi Hara should definitely be the first one for the IJN.

 

Why are we getting "historic epic commanders" in a fantasy game where the only recognition of anything historical are the ship images?

A waste of time.

[crzyhawk]

Quote from the Amazon advertisement: "....he maintained a code of honor worthy of his samurai grandfather".

 

Yeah...I'm sure that his "code of honour" would have been really appreciated by allied POWS at the time.

 

Hara was actually very critical of the IJN.  You'd be surprised.  The book is excellent, even though he gets a few facts wrong such as Helena sinking after shooting his ship up in the night cruiser action of Nov 13.

[anonym_OlK73e329bMY]

If I could read I would totally read this.

[Battlecruiser_Siegfried]

Better book. You'll understand not only why the war was fought the way it was (and why it wasn't fought the way it should have been), but also how the ships that fought the war were designed to meet the requirements of a specific tactic.

 

Must-read for battleship aficionados.

 

Best book on the war at sea in WWI there is (and, in my personal opinion, the best naval book period, simply because of the excellent descriptions).

 

 

[HazeGrayUnderway]

 

Hara was actually very critical of the IJN.  You'd be surprised.  The book is excellent, even though he gets a few facts wrong such as Helena sinking after shooting his ship up in the night cruiser action of Nov 13.

 

Very critical is an understatement.  When describing combat actions he criticizes and praises actions of both Japanese and Allied forces and leadership.  But have candy or something sweet nearby to consume when you get towards the mid and late war stuff.  He had some very bitter opinions about higher IJN leadership.  By the end for the last action, the bitterness slaps you across the face.  And for many good reasons.

[AdmiralPiett]

Hara's memoir is certainly one of the better ones out there in that he actually tries to tell the truth for the most part. One most always read a memoir critically of course, but he isn't going to give you a migraine like some do *cough*Lost Victories*cough*.

[JervisBay]

If I could read I would totally read this.

 

Well, reading it totally is better than only reading half of it.

[anonym_OlK73e329bMY]

Well, reading it totally is better than only reading half of it.

 

I'm impressed someone was able to decipher my hidden message. Well, you only deciphered half of it. I wonder what the other half is..

[Vergil118]

Better book. You'll understand not only why the war was fought the way it was (and why it wasn't fought the way it should have been), but also how the ships that fought the war were designed to meet the requirements of a specific tactic.

 

Must-read for battleship aficionados.

 

Best book on the war at sea in WWI there is (and, in my personal opinion, the best naval book period, simply because of the excellent descriptions).

 

 

 

Kaigun is the best resource available on the IJN in English, and Rules of the Game remains the resource for Jutland, but please be very, very careful taking anything from Massie at face value. He is indeed a writer with some style, but he has a very dated and flawed understanding of both Lord Fisher and the politics of the Admiralty in the WWI period. Rules of the Game in small part demonstrates this. 

 

Although I'm still working with it, Before Jutland: The Naval War in Northern European Waters, August 1914-February 1915 by RADM James Goldrick (RAN ret) is in a similar style to Massie but much more in line with what we've learned since Marder. Check it out!

[TheStarSlayer]

 

Hara was actually very critical of the IJN.  You'd be surprised.  The book is excellent, even though he gets a few facts wrong such as Helena sinking after shooting his ship up in the night cruiser action of Nov 13.

 

Yeah I remember reading that part and being a little confused.  To be fair though I doubt any single person at November 13th battle could give a completely accurate recounting of events, the battle was confused night brawl from start to finish.  

 

In any case its a great read overall, before they IJN DD split I had really hoped for a Shigure prem.   

[Fedge_123]

Hara's book is excellent.

I'd also recommend Neptune's Inferno by James D. Hornfischer

[Skarp_AGW]

 

......

In any case its a great read overall, before they IJN DD split I had really hoped for a Shigure prem.   

Well, now that there is a Shiratsuyu Class DD in the game, I think that a Shigure Premium is only a matter of time.

 

Definitely on my must insta-buy list.

[Spooooooooooooooooooooon]

I've often wondered why Hara didn't use his torpedo boosters more  :o