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Nimitz  By  cover art

Nimitz

By: E. B. Potter
Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
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Publisher's summary

Called a great book worthy of a great man, this definitive biography of the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet in World War II is considered the best book ever written about Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Highly respected by both the civilian and naval communities, Nimitz was sometimes overshadowed by more colorful warriors in the Pacific such as MacArthur and Halsey.

Potter's lively and authoritative style fleshes out Admiral Nimitz's personality to help listeners appreciate the contributions he made as the principle architect of Japan's defeat. Following the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Roosevelt named Nimitz the commander of the Pacific Fleet.

An experienced and respected leader, Nimitz was also an effective military strategist who directed US forces as they closed in on Japan, beginning in May and June of 1942 with the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. Nimitz was promoted to the newly created rank of fleet admiral in 1944 and became the naval equivalent to the army's General Dwight Eisenhower. The book covers his full life: from a poverty-stricken childhood to postwar appointments as chief of naval operations and UN mediator, and candidly reveals Nimitz's opinions of Halsey, Kimmel, King, Spruance, MacArthur, Forrestal, Roosevelt, and Truman.

©1976 E. B. Potter (P)2018 Tantor

What listeners say about Nimitz

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Spectacular Book

This book was one of the best ever on Audible, and I have listened to well over 200 using your app! I will immediately purchase a hardcover edition for my permanent library!

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13 people found this helpful

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Admiration for a hardworking, modest Admiral.

Normally, I take the precaution to read or listen to a biography by taking it with a grain of salt. And so I did also this time.
But as it turns out, this man deserves the credit for what he has done and realized as an officer and as a human being in life.
A man with a balanced view on things. He liked to see both sides of the story although people might have thought of him as a stubborn man. He did what he could for every officer and enlisted man and that is how it should be.
Nimitz taught me to be conscious of your subordinates, diplomatic among your peers and superiors but at the same time to be straight forward and to the point.
Though it starts off rather slow, indeed, you will get to know this man and especially his principles.

-Hardworking. Nimitz never was shy of taking much hay on his fork. He always made the promise to do the best he could on the job assigned to him without complaining.
-Modest. He never bragged about his achievements in life. But he was proud of them, that's for sure, This made him grateful to what the Navy had given him in life. He even rescued a mans life by jumping into ice-cold water, for which he received the Navy Cross, but only write in his diary "Went swimming today, it was very cold".
-A heart for the Navy. The Navy had given him opportunities to learn, to grow and to excel in sophisticated matters like diesel engines in submarines, naval tactics in the various academic appointments and to take command aboard several ships.
-Valueing and lifting up each man to his standards. The admiral had high standards and expected no less of his officers but also showed mercy to those who deserved a second chance.
-A professional sailor. Being a naval officer meant that he had to do what the Navy told him to do, although this didn't stop him from having his own opinion on matters and told his superiors if he saw a better solution than the one that was offered. But don't get me wrong, the admiral was no political man. An apolitical diplomate. He was how an officer should be. Although he served his country, he served the Department of Defense first. His job was to be an officer, not a politician.


The book itself is quite a lengthy listen, but oh boy I was fascinated from the start till the end. (although I should warn you that you have to know your navy ranks and shiptypes to understand what it is all about to avoid confusion).
This gentleman deserved his title and rank with honors.
My admiration for the admiral only grew by listening to his story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Deeply personal and inspiring, but long.

An excellent book, and a focused personal accounting. It tells his whole story, without any artificial leading, or unnecessary wanderings. It is not an account of the war, but rather an account of a man. Don't read if you just want the War Years, and don't read without first reading a bit about the Pacific war. Do read it for professional guidance and inspiration.

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Great performance, story and Subject.

Reading Nimitz while at the Nimitz Foundation and Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas and Pearl Harbor was incredibly moving. A wonderful work about a man worthy of honor and remembrance, a hero, and model of sacrifice and service for ones country.

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We forget too soon.

Every American especially the young should read and learn what it is to be an officer and a gentleman

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9 people found this helpful

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Disorienting sequencing

Poor editing. The book would have been far more interesting if the author and editor followed a more linear timeline. Instead, one story line would complete only to begin a sequence that was relevant to a different time and details important in a past section. Even with these distractions, the book was interesting and worth most of the time spent listening.

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Too pro suicidal marines

Author unfortunately takes marine line and is insulting to the Army troops who did most of the fighting in the Pacific. US Army infantry fought successfully around the world but never it seems fast enough to satisfy the navy or marines. Author fails to mention that Army commanders always had fewer casualties. This is because they declined using the near suicidal frontal attack methods of marines. Marines believed in a rapid victory and glorious death, whereas Army believed in achieving victory with minimal losses.

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A must listen. Do not pass this one up.

if you enjoy history particularly World War 2 history this is one to listen to. Nimitz is just an amazing man an amazing person and a lot of people could learn a lot from him.

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Excellent, thorough yet concise

A well- told story of the 20th Century's most important Admiral. A great American whose humility and integrity stand out from those who grabbed the bigger headlines of WWII.

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Should have been titled The Nimitz Family - skip

Whereas the author did the best he could with the material he had, this audiobook should have been only been about 5 hours long. Details so extraneous, clearly from family and other sources as all of Nimitz’s papers were burned. You barely gain any understanding of him at all. Skip it. Compare this painful book to American Caesar which was outstanding!

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