Hara, Tameichi et al
Japanese Destroyer Captain
New York: Ballantine, 1961
Binding: Hardcover
Recommended Reading selection
See also other edition(s):
Naval Institute Press, 2007 - Hardcover
See also more books from:
Tameichi Hara
See also more books on the same topic(s):
Japan: Biographies and memoirs
Japan: Biographies and memoirs of sailors and marines
War at sea in the Pacific and Indian Oceans: Biographies and memoirs
See also references to this book:
Reference in news archive April 2007
Reference in news archive June 2007
Feedback from visitors
Feedback from Dr John Matthews on Monday, 29 March 2004
Rates this book: 
This is an excellent book. It is timely even today. Many of the authors observations are those of a first hand participant in some of the most critical moments of WW2. He is brutally honest re mistakes made by both sides. I first read this book over 30 years ago.....it is still timely!
Feedback from Mike Embley on Tuesday, 3 August 2004
Rates this book:
I have a very old paperback edition that I have read twice now. When he originally wrote it in the early fifties, Hara could not have known how important his role was in the Battle of the Blacket Straights when he ran down the PT 109 which he recounts in this book. He also takes credit for sinking the submarine USS Perch which actually survived but was so badly damaged in his depth charging that it had to be scrapped. He was also the commander of the cruiser which accompanied the Yamato on it's last voyage. Hara was present at almost every major Japanese naval engagement and tells his story well. The only reason that I give it four stars is that he mentions nothing of his own emotions and seems to stick to upholding the code of Bushido which can make for a dry read at times.
It's still one of my most treasured WWII books.
Feedback from Dan K on Saturday, 1 April 2006
Rates this book: 
Title: Japanese Destroyer Captain
Authour: Capt. Tameichi Hara w/Fred Saito and Roger Pineau
Publisher:Ballantine Books
ISBN: NONE
Stars: 5 (out of 5)
Picked this paperback up for a really sweet price of .59cents and could notput the book down. I would of paid for the hard cover if I found it. It is that well written.
This book follows the life of Capt. Hara from his birth to the end of the war in the Pacific. The chapters of his early childhood are small as the "meat" of the book are the battles he fought in the Pacific.
The other chapters cover his training in Eta Jima and his postings to various ships before the war.
The chapters of the war cover his command of Destroyers during Guadalcanal, Midway and some smaller battles of Vella Gulf and Vella Lavella etc.
What I like about this book is that Capt. Hara is very critical of his peers and himself....not to mention his former American enemies. He says what mistakes he makes and also what mistakes the enemy Capt's make too.
Some small footnotes are where he names certain persons when he knows them or when he has found them out...ie: a pilot that was shot down or an enemy Destroyer Capt that he had fought.
The last chapter of the book has him in command of the Cruiser Yahagi in which is sunk from under him in the final sortie of the Imperial Navy.
Quite an eye opener from the other side of the Pacific.
Definately Recommended.
Feedback from Dominic Ciocca, Jr. on Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Rates this book:
This is a great book. Anybody interested in the Pacific war should read it. Shows the futility of the Japanese Guadalcanal effort and dulls some of the luster of the Yamamoto reputation. It is also very exciting to read.
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