This compelling tale of courage, heroism, and sheer terror is told in the actual words of the young, World War II destroyer escort sailors who lived to share their experiences. They came from the farms, small towns, and large cities all across the nation, sent out on the high seas to battle the Nazis and Japanese. Facing mortal danger, this unseasoned crop of teenage recruits went to sea aboard destroyer escorts, a novel yet untested vessel, designed by a man with no formal training in ship design, and which many navy officials viewed as a waste of money. Led by Ivy League college boys more accustomed to being aboard yachts than warships, these young men are credited with helping to turn the tide of the war in the Atlantic, singlehandedly sinking some seventy U-boats, and then fought side-by-side with Allied battleships and destroyers in every major Pacific battle. Although President Franklin Roosevelt first wanted these vessels built in 1940, navy brass convinced him to use the nation's limited resources to build more American destroyers instead, a mistake that would carry a heavy price for the Allies. The author interviewed ninety-one destroyer escort (DE) sailors and officers from fifty-six different ships, and was given access to secretly-kept war diaries, and other never-before-published information and photographs to illustrate the remarkable stories of this group of heroes to whom this nation owes a very special debt. But this story is not just about battles. It is a story about growing up in the Great Depression, American genius, hard work, and honor, and includes a small but historic first step toward ending racial discrimination in the military. When Eleanor Roosevelt prevailed over the navy brass to allow African-Americans to step aboard a destroyer escort as full-fledged sailors, the first American warship manned by an African-American crew was launched. Just when it seems that nothing new can be said about World War II, along comes Shepherds of the Sea, Bob Cross' well told tale of a dimunitive but decisive weapon in the naval battle...a great read and an important chapter in our naval history. Joseph E. Persico, author of Roosevelt's Secret War Shepherds of the Sea is well researched...this book is recommended to naval historians and to general readers interested in the maritime aspects of World War II. Journal of Military History The first full-scale history of American destroyer escorts...the book itself can and should drop anchor in any World War II naval collection. Booklist This is the definitive story of the ships and their crew. Soundings magazine Author Robert F. Cross tells their whole story for the first time...this is a well-written and extensively researched book. Steamship Historical Society of America "...The former news correspondent does an excellent job of weaving together the memories of sailors and describing in vivid detail what life was like for small ships in combat." International Journal of Maritime History "...An informative yet entertaining narrative which is as well connected a patchwork as a fine quilt...will hold the readers attention from start to finish." National Association of Destroyer Veterans Robert F. Cross, author of Sailor in the White House: the Seafaring Life of FDR , is a trustee of the USS Slater, the last destroyer escort still afloat in the United States, and fully restored to its original World War II configuration. He also serves as Commissioner of the Port of Albany, New York, and is Water Commissioner for the City of Albany. He is a former award-winning newspaper correspondent. He lives in Albany, NY. International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions. New Mint Condition Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon Guaranteed packaging