Buy new:
$18.74
FREE delivery Thursday, May 16 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$18.74
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Thursday, May 16 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 11 hrs 26 mins
Only 15 left in stock (more on the way).
$$18.74 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$18.74
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$6.60
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
The book may have minor cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, minor sunburn, minor water damage, minor bent. The book may have some highlights, notes, underlined pages. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included . Safe and Secure Mailer. No Hassle Return The book may have minor cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, minor sunburn, minor water damage, minor bent. The book may have some highlights, notes, underlined pages. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included . Safe and Secure Mailer. No Hassle Return See less
FREE delivery Friday, May 17 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$18.74 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$18.74
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Raymond B. Lech
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Tragic Fate of the U.S.S. Indianapolis: The U.S. Navy's Worst Disaster at Sea Paperback – November 14, 2000

by Raymond B. Lech (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 30 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$18.74","priceAmount":18.74,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"18","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"74","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"XsCigtae5WH%2FVnxGDL4yH9MWAgI70nHPQV5SMcHh2XrO9F%2BK0AFIs28xHNmmESmUQS3u%2F83Avp%2FU93fEisCnUn3HX5DJoN%2Fgf5oIF0IWd%2FHgUvvfeCw6pbpSR%2FmY9ayyXRUpFzvonyY%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$6.60","priceAmount":6.60,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"6","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"60","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"XsCigtae5WH%2FVnxGDL4yH9MWAgI70nHP8Apqkl9EX%2Fyf0qJo2mbNCuqoMzqzsFB6v0wX2jKKhMSEW2RvYaWp4nfVD8M5By%2FPjwVhnhGaAtQdqLRdZA9VNNogMCldKM%2BjZ5qKn11EUVtkY9vzHxEQeY0gG1orp3dsvA00PyABYOnGzRmAESSeVatTAJ5HWGhd","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

On July 29, 1945, four days after delivering the atomic bomb destined for Hiroshima, the U.S.S. Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk. of the 1,199 men on board, 883 perished. Culled from previously unavailable files, this is the chilling story of how the U. S. Navy left the crew in shark-infested waters for four days, and why only a fraction of the 800 men who safely abandoned the ship survived the ordeal. This is the true story of the massive thirty-year cover-up that followed.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Cooper Square Press
  4. Publication date
    November 14, 2000
  5. Dimensions
    6.08 x 0.74 x 8.98 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0815411200
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0815411208
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

The Tragic Fate of the U.S.S. Indianapolis: The U.S. Navy's Worst Disaster at Sea
$18.74
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
Only 15 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocen
$11.73
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Lost at Sea: The story of the USS Indianapolis
$6.50
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"There have been many books and articles on the sinking, but Lech is the first person to have had access to the confidential records and court martial proceedings," said LJ's reviewer of this 1982 investigation into the sinking of the navy cruiser Indianapolis, which was torpedoed by the Japanese after delivering the Hiroshima bomb. Most of the crew died, and the ship's captain was court martialed. Lech claims, however, that the skipper was entirely blameless and that the Navy fabricated a major cover-up to save the careers of numerous admirals and other high-ranking officers. This book "should be in all World War II collections" (LJ 12/15/82).
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Much of this grim tale was secreted away for decades in classified military files, from which Mr. Lech has now managed to pry the facts. The evidence he has collected is compelling. ― The New York Times Book Review

The incompetence and indifference of several key naval officers accounted for the high death toll.... There have been many books on the sinking, but Lech is the first person to have had access to the confidential records and court-martial proceedings. His book should be in all World War II collections. ― Library Journal

Lech's book is a solid recounting of Indianapolis's journey, its sinking, the ordeal of its survivors, and the aftermath. ― The Northern Mariner/Le Marin du nord

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cooper Square Press; First Thus edition (November 14, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0815411200
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0815411208
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.08 x 0.74 x 8.98 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Raymond B. Lech

Raymond B. Lech

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
30 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

B. Gould
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellently written account of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the aftermath.
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
I'll admit this is the first book I've read on the U.S.S. Indianapolis, so I can only compare it to documentaries I've seen. It was so well written that at times I had a clearer picture of what was happening than when watching it on T.V. I just couldn't put it down and finished it in one night.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Blondrocker
4.0 out of 5 stars Good, if technical
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
I actually really enjoyed this book. Typically, when I become interested in a new subject I'll read 2 or 3 books, just to get all the facts and a well-rounded opinion. This book is definitely about facts, and not so much focused on the human interest side of things. Still, a very good read, and well worth the money. We should all know what happened to these men, and remember them.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Al Price
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Easy Reading
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2012
Verified Purchase
I was in the Paratroopers, but my Dad was one of very few survivors when the U.S.S. Hull capsized in a typhoon during WWII. A good friend of mine and fellow ham radio operator served on the U.S.S. Indianapolis. I bought this as a gift for him. It is in great shape and arrived early. Thanks. --- Al
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
elhigh
5.0 out of 5 stars The Tragic Fate of the USS Indianapolis
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2011
Verified Purchase
This book I gave to my son-in law. He told me he couldn't put it down. You see his grandfather was on the USS Indianapolis when it went down. His grandfather was one of the survivors. The book, he said, was close to what is grandfather had told him.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
The Big Guy
3.0 out of 5 stars Documentary or Story?
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
I was fascinated by the story of the ship and eager to read the book. The overall picture the author wrote was OK, but I was bogged down by the countless people the author referred to and I could not tell if was their actual testimony or his reporting of their opinions OR testimony.

A little amateurish the read, but very professional in the reporting. A sad day in US Naval history, and another manifestation that those in military power will push blame on those below them.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Alexander Sanchez
5.0 out of 5 stars A very well written and detailed book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
Very in depth read on this subject, covering in detail a very sorry part of naval history. A must read for those interested in an overlooked part of naval history.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Christine W. Temple
4.0 out of 5 stars add to my collection
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
I had this book and my sister has it now so I wanted a copy for myself si I can keep
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Joyce Pappaceno
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
Absolutely amazing courage and despicable cover-up. Fascinating read.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Elaine
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is very good. The tragedy and it’s aftermath were immeasurably grim but if you’re looking for an easy to follow and understand account of the events then this is it
Report
Andrew
5.0 out of 5 stars A good thorough history of the incident
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a good book for anybody interested in the facts surrounding the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the details of the days the men spent stranded in the water. Most interestingly it moves the focus away from the sensationalized accounts associated with the film "Jaws" (which have their basis in fact) and turns attention to the real story - the mismanagement which caused the disaster and subsequent coverup by the U.S. navy.
3 people found this helpful
 Report