{"product_id":"pt-109-an-american-epic-of-war-survival-and-the-destiny-of-john-f-kennedy-isbn-9780062346599","title":"PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe extraordinary World War II story of shipwreck and survival that paved John F. Kennedy's path to power – hailed as a “breathtaking account” by James Patterson, “masterfully written” by historian Douglas Brinkley, and “the finest book” ever written on the subject by Lt. Commander William Liebenow, the man who rescued JFK and the PT 109 crew in August 1943.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the early morning darkness of August 2, 1943, during a chaotic nighttime skirmish amid the Solomon Islands, the Japanese destroyer \u003cem\u003eAmagiri\u003c\/em\u003e barreled through thick fog and struck the U.S. Navy's motor torpedo boat PT 109, splitting the craft nearly in half and killing two American sailors instantly. The sea erupted in flames as the 109's skipper, John F. Kennedy, and the ten surviving crewmen under his command desperately clung to the sinking wreckage; 1,200 feet of ink-black, shark-infested water loomed beneath. \"All hands lost,\" came the reports back to the Americans' base: no rescue was coming for the men of PT 109. Their desperate ordeal was just beginning—so too was one of the most remarkable tales of World War II, one whose astonishing afterlife would culminate two decades later in the White House.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on original interviews with the last living links to the events, previously untapped Japanese wartime archives, and a wealth of archival documents from the Kennedy Library, including a lost first-hand account by JFK himself, bestselling author William Doyle has crafted a thrilling and definitive account of the sinking of PT 109 and its shipwrecked crew's heroics. Equally fascinating is the story's second act, in which Doyle explores in new detail how this extraordinary episode shaped Kennedy's character and fate, proving instrumental to achieving his presidential ambitions: \"Without PT 109, there never would have been a President John F. Kennedy,\" declared JFK aide David Powers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeaturing castaways on a deserted island, a spy network of Solomon Island natives, an Australian coast watcher hidden on the side of a volcano, an S.O.S. note carved into a coconut, and a daring rescue attempt led by Kennedy's fellow American PT boats, \u003cem\u003ePT 109\u003c\/em\u003e is an unforgettable American epic of war and destiny.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe extraordinary World War II story of shipwreck and survival that paved John F. Kennedy’s path to power\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the early morning darkness of August 2, 1943, during a chaotic nighttime skirmish amid the Solomon Islands, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri barreled through thick fog and struck the U.S. Navy’s motor torpedo boat PT 109, splitting the craft nearly in half and killing two American sailors instantly. The sea erupted in flames as the 109’s skipper, John F. Kennedy, and the ten surviving crewmen under his command desperately clung to the sinking wreckage; 1,200 feet of ink-black, shark-infested water loomed beneath. “All hands lost,” came the reports back to the Americans’ base: no rescue was coming for the men of PT 109. Their desperate ordeal was just beginning—so too was one of the most remarkable tales of World War II, one whose astonishing afterlife would culminate two decades later in the White House.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on original interviews with the last living links to the events, previously untapped Japanese wartime archives, and a wealth of archival documents from the Kennedy Library, including a lost firsthand account by JFK himself, bestselling author William Doyle has crafted a thrilling and definitive account of the sinking of PT 109 and its shipwrecked crew’s heroics. Equally fascinating is the story’s second act, in which Doyle explores in new detail how this extraordinary episode shaped Kennedy’s character and fate, proving instrumental to achieving his presidential ambitions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“William Doyle’s \u003ci\u003ePT 109\u003c\/i\u003e is a masterfully written book on John F. Kennedy’s World War II service. Every page sparkles with keen insight and fresh research. Highly recommended!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDouglas Brinkley, author of Cronkite\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This one is exceptional--an intimate, blow-by-blow account of the saga of PT 109 and its young skipper who was destined to later take the helm of the nation. A fascinating read.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDick Couch, author of When Honor Bound and Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story (with William Doyle)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Fast-paced, gripping, and superbly researched, William Doyle’s \u003ci\u003ePT 109\u003c\/i\u003e conveys the dramatic story of JFK’s wartime service and its surprising aftereffects with a refreshing, brisk authority. Doyle’s gift for details and vivid descriptions put the reader squarely in the middle of this epic tale.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDan Hampton (USAF, Ret.), New York Times bestselling author of The Hunter Killers\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A terrific history. ... William Doyle’s \u003ci\u003ePT 109\u003c\/i\u003e infuses an iconic tale with new information and insights, and in the telling deepens our understanding of the young John F. Kennedy’s courageous ‘origin’ story.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid Rensin, co-author with Louis Zamperini of the New York Times bestsellers Devil at My Heels and Don't Give Up, Don't Give In\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“William Doyle’s \u003ci\u003ePT 109\u003c\/i\u003e not only provides a highly accurate and researched account ... but it also brilliantly charts how those six days of survival, being alone, isolated and at times thought to be abandoned, transformed Kennedy’s very fiber--and his destiny.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBridgeman Carney, PT boat historian and author of First Up: Chronicles of the PT 157\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Cinematic. ... Doyle expertly... brings this remarkable saga back to life.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eChristian Science Monitor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A gripping, well-told story of courage in the face of disaster.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I have to say, William Doyle’s \u003ci\u003ePT 109\u003c\/i\u003e is the finest book I’ve ever read on the subject: the best written; the most well-researched and accurate. It covers every aspect and brings many new things to light. Doyle has done a wonderful job.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWilliam Liebenow, Lt. Commander, USNR (ret.), skipper of PT 157, John F. Kennedy's tentmate, battle colleague and boat commander of the mission that rescued Kennedy behind enemy lines in August 1943\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A cinematic story of survival.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBoston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Drawing on a firsthand account by Kennedy, documents from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Japanese wartime archives, and fresh interviews with the remaining living links to the events, Doyle, formerly director of original programming at HBO, tells a cinematic story of survival that involves an SOS note carved into a coconut and a spy network of Solomon Island natives.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBoston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A revealing and breathtaking account about what happened to John F. Kennedy’s Patrol Torpedo boat 109, and the famous war story’s engrossing aftermath.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJames Patterson\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“[A] fast-paced narrative. … Dramatic and revealing.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A gripping account of John F. Kennedy’s monumental test of leadership and survival during World War II, and how his actions set him on the path to political greatness.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Compelling. ... Explosive.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDaily Mail (London)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Impressive. ... Enlightening. ... Doyle makes a compelling case for why PT 109 should be remembered. ... [An] engrossing combination of adventure and analysis. ... Doyle’s work has all the makings of a definitive account -- the last word on the story. And as such it’s a tale few are likely to forget.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Impressive. ... [An] engrossing combination of adventure and analysis. ... Doyle’s work has all the makings of a definitive account -- the last word on the story. And as such, it’s a tale few are likely to forget.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Powerful. ... Today’s candidates should read this account to learn from Kennedy’s leadership skills.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Thinker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"William Morrow Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888767627493,"sku":"NP9780062346599","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062346599.jpg?v=1730229794","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/pt-109-an-american-epic-of-war-survival-and-the-destiny-of-john-f-kennedy-isbn-9780062346599","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}