A thorough and compelling investigation of the Central Pacific campaign in World War II that saw the US Navy progress from the edge of disaster to the brink of victory, from Guadalcanal to the recapture of the Philippines.

Thomas McKelvey Cleaver is the author of the best-selling Fabled Fifteen: The Pacific War Odyssey of Carrier Air Group 15, a history of the top-scoring US Navy air group of World War II. Fabled Fifteen has received strong critical reviews and is a 5-star feature at Amazon. Additionally, Cleaver has written Aces of the 78th Fighter Group, and F4F and F6F Aces of VF-2 for Osprey. Both received positive critical reviews and recorded good sales. He has also been published over the past 30 years in Air Force, Aviation History, Air International and Air Enthusiast magazines. He is a regular contributor at Flight Journal.

CHAPTER ONE: DISASTER
The Japanese Navy defeats the U.S. Navy tactically at the Battle of Santa Cruz. USS Hornet (CV-8) is the last of the pre-war carriers to be sunk in battle.
CHAPTER TWO: FIRST CONTACT
The new fast carrier task force meets the enemy at Wake and intervenes decisively in the Rabaul campaign.
CHAPTER THREE: THE NEW NAVY
Development of the Essex class fleet carriers and the Independence class light fleet carriers. Development of the F6F Hellcat, SB2C Helldiver and TBF Avenger, the carriers' weapons.
CHAPTER FOUR: A STRATEGY TO WIN THE WAR
In the war games of the 1930s, the U.S. Navy discovers the facts of carrier warfare and develops the tactics of the fast carrier task force.
CHAPTER FIVE: THE COMPETITORS - HALSEY AND SPRUANCE
Two men more different could not be imagined. Halsey, the preening prima donna who cannot distinguish between the good of the Navy and the glory of Halsey versus Spruance, the quiet commander who always keeps "the big picture" foremost in his decision-making.
CHAPTER SIX: TARAWA AND THE GILBERTS
The fast carriers support the first central Pacific invasion. The Navy's first ace, Butch O'Hare, is lost in a tragic accident. The first Hellcat ace is created. In the meantime, USS Saratoga allies with HMS Victorious to provide air cover for the advance beyond Guadalcanal into the Central Solomons.
CHAPTER SEVEN: THE TRUK STRIKE
The main Japanese naval base in the Central Pacific proves to be a "paper tiger" after the Japanese carriers lose the last of their experienced air crews defending Rabaul.
CHAPTER EIGHT: CENTRAL PACIFIC STORM
The fast carriers cover the invasions of Kwajalein and Eniwetok. Japanese air power in the western Carolines is destroyed by the fast carrier task force. The carriers cover the Hollandia invasion that clears Japanese forces from New Guinea.
CHAPTER NINE: THE MARIANAS TURKEY SHOOT
The last vestige of Japanese carrier air power is destroyed in the greatest air battle of the Pacific War. "The Mission Beyond Darkness" stretches naval aviation to the limit. President Roosevelt decides that domestic politics will determine war strategy as he chooses MacArthur and the Philippines over Admiral Nimitz and Formosa.
CHAPTER TEN: HALSEY'S WESTERN PACIFIC RAMPAGE
Admiral Halsey takes command of the fast carriers from Spruance. A lightning campaign across the Philippines, Okinawa and Formosa establishes naval supremacy in the western Pacific.
CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE BATTLES OF LEYTE GULF
The largest naval battle in history. The Battle off Samar, "the Navy's Finest Hour." The Japanese carrier fleet is destroyed off Cape Engano.
CHAPTER TWELVE: THE COMING OF THE DIVINE WIND
Carrier warfare changes forever on 25 October 1944 when a suicide bomber sinks USS St. Lo (CVE-63). The fast carriers vulnerable as the Kamikazes arrive.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: CENTRAL PACIFIC FINALE
The battles for the Philippines after Leyte Gulf. "Halsey's Typhoon."