The Hooligans

A Novel (World War II Navy, Book 7)

By: P. T. Deutermann

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

A gripping and authentic World War II naval adventure by a master storyteller

The Hooligans fictionalizes the little-known but remarkable exploits of “The Hooligan Navy” that fought in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Loosely-organized in fast moving squadrons, PT (patrol torpedo) boats were the pesky nemesis of the formidable Japanese navy, dubbed “the mosquito fleet” and “devil boats” for their daring raids against warships, tankers, and transport ships.

After the Pearl Harbor raid plunges America into war, young surgical resident Lincoln Anderson enlists in the Navy medical corps. His first deployment comes in August 1942 at Guadalcanal, when after a brutal sea battle and the landing of Marines on the island, Anderson finds himself triaging hundreds of casualties under relentless Japanese air and land attacks.

But with the navy short of doctors, soon Anderson is transferred to serve aboard a PT boat. From Guadalcanal to the Solomon Islands to the climactic, tide-turning battle of Leyte Gulf, Anderson and the crew members of his boat confront submarines and surface ships, are attacked from air by the dreaded Kawanishi flying boats, and hunted by destroyers. In the end, Anderson must lead a division of boats in a seemingly-impossible mission against a Japanese battleship formation - and learn the true nature of his character.

Informed by P. T. Deutermann’s own experience as a commander of a patrol gunboat in Vietnam, The Hooligans is first-rate military adventure fiction.

©2020 P. T. Deutermann. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Great read

Quick, amazing. Loved it. Reader will not be disappointed. I highly recommend this book and narration. The narration adds the soul, drama and heartfelt moments.

Strong WWII fiction

4.5 stars

Lincoln Anderson, a surgeon at the end of his third year of residency, volunteers for the US Navy after Pearl Harbor and ends up at Guadalcanal. Though he hasn't finished his residency, the exigencies of war result in him working as a trauma surgeon. The book follows Anderson's journey through the Solomons Campaign, starting in the Marine perimeter at Guadalcanal and then becoming the unit doctor for a motor torpedo boat squadron.

The story doesn't discuss details of combat medicine much, though it does talk about the logistics of setting up medical facilities and surviving during combat. Since Anderson isn't a board-certified surgeon, the Navy has predictable reactions to his experiences, and Deutermann describes the bureaucratic issues of navy life well.

There is some detail about the employment of MTBs in the Solomons, and good discussion of life in the squadron in that high-pressure environment, though it's seen through Anderson's eyes, which reduces the impact of the discussions.

The combat scenes are compelling and believable, reflecting the author's military experience. And the climax and denouement of the story are both very strong.

While this book doesn't have the visceral connection that the best books in this series have, it's still very good. Recommended.

P t does it again

Entertaining and consistent with nonfiction accounts. This was well worth the cost and the time.

Wow…

I swear that I do not know how this author does it.
Each book of his I read gets better and better. The words just flow (Audible Books) the narrator is wonderful, and I am on edge waiting for the next scene. As a WWII buff ( and Vietnam Veteran) I can only thank P T for writing this wonderful series…. Thank you sir…….

Loved it.

Always enjoy a navy based story. Such great detail in every aspect of the story.