Clash of the Carriers: The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot by Barrett Tillman

 Clash of the Carriers by Barrett Tillman -337 pages

Tillman's book is one of the few devoted to the Battle of the Philippine Sea that took place in June 1944. It includes testimony from many of the battle's participants and gives an accurate account of Japanese losses. Well over 300 enemy aircraft were destroyed and three carriers sunk (two by U.S. submarines). The Japanese likely would have lost more ships, if they hadn't remained at the longest possible distance from the U.S. fleet to launch a strike. The battle left Japan's carrier-based air power in ruins, and demonstrated the superiority of U.S. technology and industry. But the book also gives a clear picture of individual human effort and bravery within a massive battle.