The author's fascination with the "life" of the USS Hornet began when he was 13 years old, and he retains some of that boyish wonder in this well researched biography that includes the personal reminisces of the shipmen who served on the Hornet. One of the few fleet aircraft carriers in the world at the time, the ship played a vital role in the first year of the Pacific war, particularly in the Doolittle raid, at Midway, and as a vital link in holding back Japanese forces. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. Used Book in Good Condition