Scratch One Flattop: The First Carrier Air Campaign and the Battle of the Coral Sea

This book was an excellent examination of the First South Pacific Campaign and the Battle of the Coral Sea. Stern does a terrific job of seamlessly weaving strategic, operational, and tactical elements to create a vivid and complete picture of the campaign from the seizing of Rabaul by the Japanese early in 1942 through the end of the Battle of the Coral Sea along with some follow up notes as well.Speaking of notes, Sterns citations are very thorough and he uses his sources well. Almost every time I came across something I did not know or an idea the author was proposing for consideration, there was a citation that I could and look to see what he was using to support his assertions.Stern also included some interesting items I had not come across before or had not been stressed in most other books I have read on the PTO. For example, his discussion of the connection between Samurai battle plans and the complex plans created by the IJN was very interesting (and, IMO, explains a lot). He also put a lot of emphasis on how both sides saw torpedo planes as the crucial weapons and dive bombers more as distractions for the enemy. After reading this, my mind immediately thought about Midway and the savage attacks on the USN torpedo planes and maybe how it might not have been only the timing but also the perception of these aircraft that led to practical annihilation of those gallant men.The author also gives a very even handed accounting (and analysis) of one of the most polarizing individuals in the battle: Frank Fletcher. He does give credit where it is due and calls out the Admiral when he thinks he blundered.Finally, this book can, I think, be called the definitive account of the campaign and battle. The details given on the battle itself, the discussion of the impact of the early USN carrier raids on Japanese holding (an impact that culminated and "broke the camels back" with the Doolittle Raid) and his final assessment taking on the usually accepted notion that the battle was a Japanese tactical victory but a US strategic victory, makes for fantastic overview of the US opportunity seized and the Japanese failure to use the Port Moresby operation to hammer the USN carriers all make for great reading and much rumination.The bottom line here is not only do I think this is the definitive account of the First South Pacific Campaign and the Battle of the Coral Sea, but Sterns book easily ranks among the top ten PTO books I have ever read and may even be elevated into the rarified air of the top five after I have some time to consider that matter further.

Scratch One Flattop is an excellent historical account of one of the lesser known, but very critical, battles of World War 2. The author very clearly worked exhaustively and painstakingly to find and include both the major features, and many minor details, of the events. Of special interest to me is the enlightening way he traces the prelude to the battle, as far back as 1905. He explains much that I had never known before, about how the Japanese first began their expansion from a medieval navy of “wood and canvas,” to the floating steel fortresses that dominate the oceans today.I rate the book as four stars rather than five, due not to any deficiency by the author, but for two personal preferences of my own. One of them is that I find the details, at times, too overwhelming, well suited for a scholarly historian, less so for a WW2 history junkie like myself. The other quibble I have, again a personal thing, is that I believe no history of WW2 should exclude an account of the unimaginable cruelty that the aggressors inflicted on innocent, helpless populations. The Japanese were not outdone in this regard by the Nazis.On the whole, I strongly recommend Scratch One Flattop. It fills a much needed gap in the telling of the history of the Pacific War. Hundreds of Americans (and Allied sailors) died in the Battle of the Coral Sea, many in ignominious ways (such as dying of thirst in life rafts, dying as prisoners of war, etc). They should be remembered and honored.

Outstanding research, detailed insights into both sides, and clear/concise explanations of developments. I used to have some sympathy for Admiral Fletcher, but this book cured me of that. I believe Fletcher should have asserted himself more aggressively when launching strikes rather than leave the details and execution to senior aviators whose notions of carrier warfare were outdated and inflexible.

Good quality hardcover, very professional print job. Proud 2 have it on the "coffee table" or bookshelf

I found the book "Scratch One Flattop" everything that it was supposed to be in it's write-ups. Robert C. Stern provides a narrative that takes you from the attack on Peral Harbor up to the Coral Sea battle. His analysis and opinions of the major players and happenings have firm foundations that I felt were acceptable and worthwhile. His writing makes you feel that you are there and share in what is happening. It is a very excellent researched book and should be read by anyone who is interested in the first great aircraft carrier battle of World War 2 in the Pacific.