At Close Quarters, Robert J. Bulkley
At Close Quarters, Robert J. Bulkley
List: $21.99 | Sale: $15.39
Club: $10.99

At Close Quarters
PT Boats in the United States Navy

Author: Robert J. Bulkley, John F. Kennedy, Ernest McNeill Eller

Narrator: Mike Chamberlain

Unabridged: 18 hr 41 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 01/02/2018


Synopsis

Small though they were, PT boats played a key role in World War II, carrying out an astonishing variety of missions where fast, versatile, and strongly armed vessels were needed. Called "weapons of opportunity," they met the enemy at closer quarters and with greater frequency than any other type of surface craft. Among the most famous PT commanders was John F. Kennedy, whose courageous actions in the Pacific are now well known to the American public. The author of the book, another distinguished PT boat commander in the Pacific, compiled this history of PT-boat operations in World War II for the U.S. Navy shortly after V-J Day, when memories were fresh and records easily assessable.

Bulkley provides a wealth of facts about these motor torpedo boats, whose vast range of operation covered two oceans as well as the Mediterranean and the English Channel. Although their primary mission was to attack surface ships and craft close to shore, they were also used effectively to lay mines and smoke screens, to rescue downed aviators, and to carry out intelligence and raider operations. The author gives special attention to the crews, paying well-deserved tribute to their heroism, skill, and sacrifice that helped to win the war.

About Robert J. Bulkley

Robert J. Bulkley, a retired USNR captain now deceased, commanded PT boats in the southwest Pacific, mostly in New Guinea and the Philippines, from June 1942 to the war's end.


Reviews

Unsung heroes! The work these crews and boats did, can never be truly appreciated unless you read this book. Great details of many unknown battles in little known locations. Thank God we were blessed with such Sailors!......more

Goodreads review by Michael

Official histories are frequently that. Official, bureaucratic, and basically tedious. Bulkley's account of PT boats, prepared for the US Navy in 1946 and released for a mass publication in 1962 after a PT boat skipper became President of the United States, is a decent example of the type. It's a co......more

My Father served onboard a PT boat during WWII in the South Pacific. He rarely spoke about the war. I wanted to gain some insight to his life during that period. This book gave me a peek inside his experience.......more

Goodreads review by Axel

I love historical events like this. Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series? In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day. It is a great chance to read the books of important auth......more

Goodreads review by Ivory

I love buying and reading these types of books. Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them. The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new b......more