Phenomenal, engrossing, riveting, devastating---all of these (and more) apply to Vincent's book about the USS Indianapolis. Following the ship from just a little while before it was attacked by a Japanese sub and ending as recently as last year, Vincent has arranged an amazingly coherent narrative that gives intricate insight into mission details, the actions and personalities of the crew, and pointed answers, almost in a paint-by-numbers fashion, as to just how the sinking of this ship blossomed into such an untold catastrophe.

It would be easy to focus for the most part on the men's struggles at sea (as that is the most publicized part); I mean, isn't that right? As the book is quick to point out, a great majority of today's awareness of the ship comes from the film Jaws, and I'll raise my hand to that effect, as I'm definitely one among that particular crowd. Vincent seems to be quite aware of the fascination of this part of the story, and gives it proper due without giving in to the temptation of sensationalizing the ordeal. Many pages will be turned over to reveal heart-wrenching deaths, survival against the odds, and humbling conclusions that further cement these men (and their loved ones) as champions beyond comprehension.

The final third of the book outlines the court-martial trial of the captain of the Indianapolis and subsequent attempts to reinstate him, despite the verdict and the shaky, shady events that preceded it. Modern proponents and allies of the survivors are highlighted as they take up the mantle, working in tandem with what's left of the crew to secure the ship's legacy, writhing in the agony of a stubborn bureaucracy, and celebrating in the ecstasy of legal victory.

You'll close the book and likely have a somber moment (or several) in remembrance for the crew and what they had to endure for over half a century. A lesser book might have either been too clinical or weighed too heavily on the survival at sea (as mentioned earlier); Vincent wonderfully reveals the story in its entirety, showing what adversity can cause us to become, for better or for worse, warts and all.

A most supreme recommendation from me. You'll be floored.

Many thanks to NetGalley, as well as to Simon & Schuster for the advance read.

Wow! Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic have crafted an amazing read in "Indianapolis" that puts you in the middle of a seemingly unbelievable tale of war, loss, brotherhood, victory, faith and determination as they unpack the story of the USS Indianapolis. From the time at sea through the secret journey to deliver components for Little Man to the heart-pounding torpedo attack and sinking of the ship through the survivors time adrift waiting for rescue days later, a clear visual picture is drawn of the surroundings as well as the people involved in this heroic tale. As fascinating as the story was leading up to the rescue, what happened in the months, years and decades since is also an amazing tale unto its own. The dogged determination of survivors and their families to right the record about what happened combined with the involvement of the final USS Indianapolis submarine commander make for a compelling read. Sara Vladic became enthralled with this story as a teenager and she has made it a key part of her life to capture and share the story of this crew - that passion was evident within the pages. Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic pull from myriad sources to tell a story that keeps you interested from the first page until the end (and even the end pages are an interesting read, too) - this book is a great example of a well crafted narrative nonfiction that I find to be some of the best writing around. In the days since reading it, I have already recommended it to at least 3 people and keep coming back to the story in conversation with others.

I received an ARC through NetGalley and Simon & Schuster to read in exchange for my honest review. This book is released July 10th. I look forward to buying my own copy of this in hardback for my personal library.