Americans, across the board, can be very resourceful people because of our freedom to operate within our system. In Capn' Fatso, Dan Gallery shows us a classic but outrageously funny example of this when a small group of American sailors led by a salty old Boatswain's Mate get cut off from their normal duties by accident. Every veteran of any branch of service, man or woman, will be able to relate to this light hearted tale of American military life since it brings to memory experiences and people each of us have known in our own lives. The characters in the story are all people we can relate to in one way or another, or remind us of unforgettable friends from our past.

In my opinion, anyone who reads this book and can keep from laughing hasn't "lived."

This is a "can't put it down" book. Full of amusing phrases and "what's going to happen next" plots. I love it, I love it, I love it.

Chief Boatson's Mate 'Fatso' Gioninni finally has command of his own vessel as he cruises around the Med getting into mischief and tweaking the noses of the Russian Navy. Through mischance, he and his landing craft are left behind when his Carrier Task Force get sailing orders. Fully provisioned, Fatso and his crew of like-minded free spirits take their own version of a Mediterranian Cruise (after first disguising their craft so that nothing can come home to roost). This is a fine example of Gallery's light-hearted touch at the helm for all who have enjoyed his sea-stories before or for someone who has never read him before!

This bio covered much of his early life, career and family that wasn't covered in Adm. Gallery's autobiography, Eight Bells. In writing about Adm. Dan's early life, Mr. Gilliand shows how he became the leader that he became. It delves into his defense of the post WWII navy against the politics of those who would have depleted our country of a means to secure the seas with anything less than nuclear deterance and how his continued defense of our Navy may have cost him further promotions. It touches on his struggle against alcoholism. Best of all, it shows how this hero handled the problems of his various commands in war and in peace. This was an excellent book.

THIS BOOK HAS BEEN LONG AWAITED FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE FANS OF ADMIRAL DANIEL V. GALLERY. IT FILLS IN THE MISSING PIECES FROM THE ADMIRAL'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY FROM SO MANY YEARS AGO, AND GIVES US A BETTER LOOK AT THE MAN I AND MANY OTHERS HAVE COME TO ADMIRE OVER THE YEARS. EXCELLENT READING FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ENJOYED ANY OF ADMIRAL GALLERY'S BOOKS, BECAUSE IT SHOWS YOU WHERE HIS INSPIRATION CAME FROM.

In the forward, the author remarks that this book will never be used as a textbook in any of the high-level military schools. This is a pity. It is easy to understand the successes achieved by Adm. Gallery's units throughout WWII, and while he is much more modest than other senior officers, there can be little doubt that he is the reason for all these victories. Not only is this a wonderful book for anyone who aspires to be a leader, but it is a tremendously amusing and well-written book.

A "must read" for anyone interested in the WWII carrier navy, R.Adm. Gallery relates the tedium of service in Iceland, the terror of being stalked by German U-boats in the North Atlantic, capped off with the true-adventure tale of his Carrier Task Group's *capture* of the German U-boat 505 (now on display in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry) off the African coast. D.V. Gallery intersperses writing fit for an adventure novel with the facts of history from the "big seat" aboard the USS Guadalcanal - one of the "baby flat-tops" of the Second World War (probably the single most underrated warship of that war)

I spent 7 years in the Navy, this is one of the few books that can make me look back to theose days and smile.

Better make sure your chair has arms, otherwise you'll fall off laughing so hard. Check in with the screwball Navy populated by Lt. Cmdr. Curley Cue, Lt.(jg) Willy Wigglesworth, Adm. Windy Day, Adm. Bugler Bates and the rest to see how life must really be on an aircraft carrier. Written in the 1960s, Gallery's stories still ring true. No matter how technologically advanced today's Navy becomes, its still all about ships and men. And both have their foibles. Gallery exposes them all in this funny book. Don't stop with this one. Write the publisher and ask it to reprint all of Gallery's books. I am still missing a few from my collection.

Admiral Daniel V. Gallery gives the common man an interesting insight into what trials and tribulations the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard fought through while trying to hold back German submarines in WWII. Gallery masterfully uses submarine logs and diaries from the German commanders and sailors to make a complete picture of the war in the Atlantic come alive as few people are able to do. Based on a true story of the only submarine ever captured in war, this is a good reader for adolescents or for those interested in a beginning study of the Naval confrontations in the Atlantic during WWII. It is a fairly easy read and only a couple hundred pages. I think it is a classic for history.

The author of this book is a retired Navy Admeral. The book U-505 details the authors record of the capture of the German U-Boat 505 during WW II. This is a historical type book as the author was in command of the task group that captured the only warship during WWII. A must read.

I could never do justice to this book in a short review. All I can say is that if you have read "Now Hear This" or "Clear the Decks"; you will not be disappointed in this volume, which continues the saga of Fatso Gioninni. If you haven't, then you're missing more than you know. Find it, and treasure it always.

Like another reviewer, I was introduced to the Admiral's cast of characters when I was in high school. The books that I re-read can be counted on one hand and this is at the top of that list. When I later served in the Navy I was always told, "The REAL Navy is not like this (station)." To me the "real" Navy is in the Admiral's stories and in real men like the Admiral, a REAL sailor. The world is a better place because of men like him.

First read these back in flight training (Navy). Laughed so hard kept whole barracks awake all night - sides hurt for days. I've since read everything he's ever written, fiction & non. Definitely one of my top 5 all time favorite authors. Buying more for gifts - perfect for pilots or anyone nautically inclined.

I discovered Daniel V. Gallery's books in the early 70's when I was in high school. Reading about the misadventures of BM1 Fatso Gianinni, CDR "Curly" Cue of the Blue Angels and his other characters, I promptly joined the Navy in 1973 and retired 23 years later. Gallery's books still make me laugh, no matter how many times I re-read them.

I guess I can not agree with the previous reviewers. Although the book does have it's high points, I felt the author padded the book with too many unimportant and unrelated personal opinions. I was expecting something better. Save your money.

The men of a Hunter-Killer task group keeping the sea lanes clear for the Allies in 1944 meet up with one of Hitler's dreaded
Uboats off Africa in this factual and entertaining read by the commander of said task force, Capt. Daniel V. Gallery. The Navy's version of a renaissance man, Gallery demonstrates by his own personal history during the war (as well as the history of the U505)that there are no accidents in wartime, merely opportunities lost or gained. I would heartily recommend Adm.Dan's book to those in high school or above who might not
know this bit of naval history, who enjoy the sea, and who honor
those (as Adm. Dan did) who "go down to the sea in ships". The Admiral was a "friend by correspondence" in the 1970's prior to his death...just as lively then as when on the bridge of his beloved USS GUADACANAL! Enjoy all ye landlubbers and real sailors!

This book would be a great addition to any submarine/naval history library. I've read quite a few WWII to the present submarine books, and this one did not disappoint at all.

Although not a submarine man himself, Captain (later Rear Admiral) Gallery commanded a hunter-killer force of surface ships and carriers in charge of tracking down German U-boats. Although the cover of the book makes it sound as if the focus of this work is on the capture of the U-505, it really is much more than that (in fact, the capture itself doesn't even begin until chapter 17!!). It talks about almost every aspect of WWII submarine warfare. I really appreciated the fact that he managed to inject a very human touch to sub operations, describing what life was like on submarines, their history, the commands etc. He described just enough technical details in order for you to understand the basic science in sub design. A number of submarine books, especially the more recent ones) have tended to get bogged down by excessive technical fineprint. If you're like me, and are more into the human/adventure/historical aspect of submarines, you'll really love this book.

Like a true sailor, Captain Gallery has a deep respect for all those who have served at sea, even when they happened to be wearing the enemy uniform. He gives credit where credit is due. There is no excessive jargon in this book. The author is very direct in his language, which added to the honesty of his words. The only parts that I didn't care too much for were when he gets a little "preachy" in professing his complete faith in the divine, but thankfully that's not a huge portion of the book at all.

I finished reading this book within 2 nights. You'll come away with a deeper appreciation of the brave men who served on submarines during WWII. You'll understand the reasons behind the decline of the U-boat campaigns as the war dragged on. It's a great read!