{"title":"Paul Stillwell","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our Paul Stillwell collection, where history and military enthusiasts can delve into the captivating worlds of some of the most iconic naval stories. Paul Stillwell is a celebrated author and historian, known for his authoritative insights into naval history. His work bridges the past and present, offering readers a chance to explore significant naval events through a comprehensive and engaging narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRenowned for his meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Stillwell's books, such as \u003cem\u003eBattleship Commander\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBattleship Missouri\u003c\/em\u003e, provide a detailed exploration of naval history, shedding light on the strategic, operational, and personal aspects of battleships and their commanders. As both a biography and historical account, these works bring to life the experiences of individuals who stood at the helms of powerful naval vessels, influencing the course of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStillwell’s thoughtful prose not only educates but also captivates readers, inviting them into a world where courage and strategy were crucial amid tumultuous times. Perfect for history buffs, military enthusiasts, or anyone keen on uncovering the layers of naval warfare, this collection offers a unique blend of factual content and compelling storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDive into Paul Stillwell's books to understand more about the formidable might of battleships and the pivotal roles they played in shaping world history.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"battleship-commander-by-paul-stillwell-9781682475935","title":"Battleship Commander","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinner of the 2022 Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the first-ever biography of Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee Jr., who served a key role during World War II in the Pacific. Recognising the achievements and legacy of one of the war's top combat admirals has been long overdue until now. \u003cem\u003eBattleship Commander\u003c\/em\u003e explores Lee's life from boyhood in Kentucky through his eventual service as commander of the fast battleships from 1942 to 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Stillwell draws on more than 150 first-person accounts from those who knew and served with Lee from boyhood until the time of his death. Said to be down to earth, modest, forgiving, friendly, and with a wry sense of humour, Lee eschewed the media and, to the extent possible, left administrative details to others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStillwell relates the sequential building of a successful career, illustrating Admiral Lee's focus on operational, tactical, and strategic concerns. During his service in the Navy Department from 1939 to 1942, Lee prepared the U.S. Navy for war at sea and was involved in inspecting designs for battleships, cruisers, aircraft carriers, and destroyers. He sent observers to Britain to report on Royal Navy operations during the war against Germany and made plans to send an action team to mainland China to observe conditions for possible later Allied landings there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePutting his focus on the need to equip U.S. warships with radar and antiaircraft guns, Lee was one of the few flag officers of his generation who understood the tactical advantage of radar, especially during night battles. In 1942, Willis Lee became commander of the first division of fast battleships to operate in the Pacific. During that service, he commanded Task Force 64, which achieved a tide-turning victory in a night battle near Guadalcanal in November 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLee missed two major opportunities for surface actions against the Japanese. In June 1944, in the Marianas campaign, he declined to engage because his ships were not trained adequately to operate together in surface battles. In October 1944, Admiral William Halsey's bungled decisions denied Lee's ships an opportunity for combat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eContinuing his career of service near the end of the war, Lee, in the summer of 1945, directed anti-kamikaze research efforts in Casco Bay, Maine. While Lee's wartime successes and failures make for compelling reading, what is here in this biography is a balanced look at the man and officer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46798627176684,"sku":"9781682475935","price":79.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/462623482787.jpg?v=1757212108"},{"product_id":"battleship-missouri-by-paul-stillwell-9781591142317","title":"Battleship Missouri","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow available in paperback, this book traces the complete story of the \u003cem\u003eMissouri\u003c\/em\u003e from her keel-laying in 1941, her participation in the Japanese surrender in 1945, and her contribution to the Persian Gulf War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough extensive interviews and research with records from the Naval Heritage and History Command, National Archives, Harry S. Truman Library, and other repositories, author Paul Stillwell has produced an engrossing portrait of the ship and her crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a detailed chronology of the ship's legendary career, dozens of human interest stories, and hundreds of photographs and drawings, \u003cem\u003eBattleship Missouri\u003c\/em\u003e serves as a fine tribute to one of the great ships of the modern era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46848518488300,"sku":"9781591142317","price":130.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/13957513482754.jpg?v=1758983962"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/paul-stillwell.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}