Reviews
All the Gallant Men: An American Sailor's Firsthand Account of Pearl Harbor by Donald Stratton
heatherwolford's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This is my favorite book I have read. It is so good.
If you have a love for World War II history this is the book for you. Reading about the events that took place on the USS Arizona from a survivor is so surreal. As you read you walk through his healing process and re-enlistment. Yes, you read that right. He re-enlisted after surviving the attacks at Pearl Harbor.
Such a good book. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.
If you have a love for World War II history this is the book for you. Reading about the events that took place on the USS Arizona from a survivor is so surreal. As you read you walk through his healing process and re-enlistment. Yes, you read that right. He re-enlisted after surviving the attacks at Pearl Harbor.
Such a good book. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Gore, and Blood
If you have a sensitivity blood and gore, please know that he does talk about his healing process and the treatments that they used then.zhelana's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really hard to read, but was also really good. It's the firsthand account of Pearl Harbor along with a little bit about the rest of the war in the Pacific. More than names and statistics (which he does provide) he provides humanizing pieces of many people's lives, and what was lost when they died. He focuses a lot on the band, a few people, none of whom made it out alive. These scenes made me cry a lot. Then he talks about the effects on his life. He, like me after 9/11, was angry, and rejoined the navy to get revenge. It may not be the best motive, but I suspect it is a motive for a lot of us. He reaches the end, and in an epilogue tells us about his children, 3/4ths of whom didn't out survive him. And his wife, and asks the question asked by the old soldier in Saving Private Ryan - Did I live a good life? He says that now, at age 94, that is the only question that really matters to him. He died in 2020, at 98 years old. His memory is certainly for a blessing.
mbc424's review against another edition
3.0
A wonderful first person account of Pearl Harbor. If you are looking for something more, this book is not for you. Donald Stratton focuses on his experiences on the USS Arizona and gives a broad overview of his life before and after. The writing is simplistic, which adds to the truth of story and the feel that you are sitting at the feet of a survivor who is telling his story as he remembers it.
mightync's review against another edition
4.0
An amazing story. Thank you, Don, for telling it.
**I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.**
**I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.**
literaryhypewoman's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing memoir. The writing really hits you and makes you think deeply about the sacrifice made in those moments.
I wish I had finished reading this before I met Stratton at the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks. He's an incredible man.
I wish I had finished reading this before I met Stratton at the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks. He's an incredible man.
bibliomaineiac's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book. Even knowing the history of USS Arizona that many students learn in school, I learned so more. And hearing it in the words of one who served on that ship had me in tears for much. Well written. An excellent memoir from World War II.
angie_nee's review against another edition
5.0
I grabbed this book after I toured Pearl Harbor, because it came highly recommended by our tour bus driver. I'm not normally a history buff; I don't like reading about it. I mean, who cares? It didn't affect me, right? I was wrong. After experiencing PH for myself and seeing the broken visage of the USS Arizona, I was humbled and also heartbroken. So I wanted to gobble up any kind of information I could find. Touring it made it real for me; it affected me. So, I started reading All the Gallant Men while I was on vacation. Mr. Stratton really draws you in, introducing you to his fellow sailors. He details the days up until the attack with such vividness that you think it just happened yesterday. The attack and his subsequent rescue were hard to read because I was crying. This book made me cry several times. The story of how he persevered through his injuries and went on to reenlist inspired me. After finishing the book, I just want to find Mr. Stratton and hug him. This book affected me in such a way that I don't think I'll ever forget it.