Like Bassett's earlier book "Harms Way" this deals with the early days of WW2 in the South Pacific. From just before the start through the attempted defence of the Dutch East Indies till Guadacanal.
A large part of the book deals with Cmdr. Prince's struggle with his own precieved cowardness and fears. This lasts till he is forced to take on the old destroyer that he was supposed to make sure was destroyed so the Japanese couldn't repair and refit it.
And to round things out along the way he falls in love with his future wife and fathers a son (even Hornblower had a love interest).
In the last few chapters there is alot of reference to Melville's "Moby Dick" and Ahabs obsession with the white whale. Even
referring to his gunners as harpooners. A nice touch seeming that the final battle is fought in the same seas as Ahabs final meeting with the White Whale.
Overall it was a good story but not as good as his first book "Harm"s Way" I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read modern naval fiction. ( )