Intrepid

Coinciding with this book's publication, the USS INTREPID--the legendary aircraft carrier used in WWII and Vietnam--has been renovated and returned to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City. Another timely fact is that Republican presidential candidate John McCain contributed the foreword--appropriately so, since McCain's grandfather served on the vessel twenty years before McCain himself flew missions off the ship in Vietnam. Although McCain doesn't read his own introduction in the audio version, Tom Weiner does an ample job transmitting not only McCain's story, but that of dozens of others like him who also served on the legendary vessel throughout the decades. Weiner's warmth and presence lend themselves to this story of guts and glory. J.S.H. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

June 30, 2008
Despite the enthusiastic title, the Intrepid
's story is no more epic than that of a dozen others. Yet after entering service in January 1944, it saw plenty of action, as this impassioned history shows. White, president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and former fighter pilot Gandt (Bogeys and Bandits
) deliver a steady stream of nuts-and-bolts battle action. The war against Japan offered innumerable dogfights, invasion support and sea battles during which the carrier suffered terrible damage from torpedoes and kamikaze attacks. Decommissioned in 1947, it returned to service in 1954 after an extensive overhaul. Details of Cold War cruises lack the fireworks of war, but readers will find some interest in the ship's duties recovering early astronauts. The obsolescent Intrepid
served off Vietnam during 1966–1968, losing many planes and pilots. The authors devote 50 pages to the surprisingly difficult process of turning the Intrepid
into a popular New York City tourist site. Lowbrow military history, full of purple prose and overwrought, invented dialogue, but undemanding military buffs will enjoy it. Maps.