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John J. Gobbell
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When Duty Whispers Low Hardcover – April 20, 2002

by John J. Gobbell (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,247 ratings
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With The Last Lieutenant and A Code For Tomorrow, John J. Gobbell has firmly established himself as one of today's leading authors of epic war novels. His hero, Todd Ingram, has proven to be one of the most fascinating and endearing characters in the genre. In When Duty Whispers Low, Lieutenant Commander Ingram faces his biggest challenge to date as his best friend turns against him when the chips are down.

It's 1943 and the U.S. Navy is caught in a fierce battle against the Japanese in the South Pacific. At stake is the Allies newly won Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. But Isoroku Yamamoto, Admiral of the Combined Fleet and architect of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, desperately wants Guadalcanal back. Calling it "Operation I," Yamamoto throws everything into the foray, scraping together top-line dive bombers and torpedo planes from all over the Pacific to carry out a series of Pearl-Harbor sized bombing raids in the Solomons.

In response, the Allies introduce the proximity fuse to the fleet-a top-secret anti-aircraft detonator that can greatly assist the U.S. Navy in their desperate fight against Japanese dive bombers and torpedo planes. However, in the heat of battle Commander Jerry Landa refuses to use the fuse - and pays the price as his ship, the USS Howell, is torn in half by Japanese "Val" dive bombers. Lieutenant Commander Todd Ingram confronts Landa, questioning his authority as the two become enemies in the midst of battle.

As Ingram and Landa fight to survive "Operation I," Yamamoto personally directs the raids that will return him to the glory of December 7, 1941; raids that will facilitate the recapture of Guadalcanal and that will cripple the United States Navy forever.

Filled with epic battles, romance, and the brutality of war, John J. Gobbell has crafted a tale that will transport the reader into the South Pacific during World War II--a story as vibrant and stunning as anything he has ever written.
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Previous page
  1. Book 3 of 8
    The Todd Ingram Series
  2. Print length
    352 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    St. Martin's Press
  5. Publication date
    April 20, 2002
  6. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0312274912
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0312274917
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The fourth novel from the writer of historical military thrillers (The Last Lieutenant, A Code for Tomorrow) combines two actual events from 1943 the killing of Isoroku Yamamoto and the introduction of proximity fuses into antiaircraft artillery shells which the author (himself a veteran naval officer) highlights as watershed moments in the Pacific theater of WWII. Opening in the wake of the Japanese withdrawal from Guadalcanal and the attendant brutal naval battles, the novel follows the story of Comdr. Jerry Landa and Lt. Todd Ingram, the skipper and executive officer, respectively, of the U.S.S. Howell, a destroyer on patrol in the notorious "Slot" of New Georgia Sound. Landa's brother, Josh, working on top-secret proximity fuses for American antiaircraft shells, is killed during a research accident. When ammunition with the new fuses turns up at the Howell, the grieving Landa prohibits their use in his ship's guns. Predictably, the Howell is crippled in a Japanese air attack and forced to beach on an island. A subsequent battle with Japanese Marines and a dramatic evacuation by PT boat leads to a race between navies to get to the store of the new ordnance in the Howell's hulk. Extensive subplots featuring the cast's many principals (Landa's romance with the widow of one of his KIA friends and Ingram's stalking by a U.S. government assassin over a security breach) round out the action, but it is the convincing historical detail from the grim Guadalcanal mortality chart to the "monster" battleship Musashi and the famous victory missive"Pop Goes the Weasel" that really distinguishes this book from the competition.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The sequel to A Code for Tomorrow, this is Gobbell's third book featuring Lt. Commander Todd Ingram and his exploits during World War II. It begins with Ingram as the executive officer of the USS Howell, a destroyer in the South Pacific. As the war takes its toll of men and ships, he must make some important decisions: will he take command of his own destroyer or accept a post at home to be near his wife? Ingram must also resolve whom to trust his old friend and commanding officer, Jerry Landa, or the navy's rising star, Captain Ashton. The battle scenes are frequent (there is a war on, after all), straightforward, and realistic. Gobbell knows how to keep the story moving without overdoing the mayhem. In fact, things frequently get muddled when the action breaks and characters are left to interact with one another; they repeat themselves and quarrel for no good reason. While this may be true-to-life behavior, it's a drag on the narrative. Thankfully, the battles soon resume, and the book regains its edge. Fans of World War II fiction and David Poyer's novels will enjoy this latest entry. Recommended for all public libraries. Patrick J. Wall, University City P.L., MO
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press; First Edition (April 20, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312274912
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312274917
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,247 ratings

About the author

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John J. Gobbell

John J. Gobbell

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JOHN J. GOBBELL is a former Navy Lieutenant who saw duty as a destroyer weapons officer. His ship served in the South China Sea, granting him membership in the exclusive ATonkin Gulf Yacht Club.@ As an executive recruiter, his clients include military/commercial aerospace companies giving him insight into character development under a historical thriller format. A Code For Tomorrow is the second of four stand-alone novels in the Todd Ingram series. Altogether, he has written six novels involving U.S. Navy action and is currently at work on his seventh. He and his wife Janine live in Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at john@johnjgobbell.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
3,247 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Dave Wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent stuff.
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2022
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These books draw an obvious comparison to Griffin's The Corps series, with one major divergence, they are better. You get military/adventure plot, very accurate historical framework, snappy dialogue, action, intel. driven subplots (sometimes downright espionage), romance & workplace politics. The characters and interactions are far more real than in most of this genre. Vey well written, I like the small period specific cultural references, The Whistler even found it's way in this one.
One person found this helpful
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Bulldog Retread
4.0 out of 5 stars GREAT action but bad editing
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2023
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Great plotting and action, including credible Japanese characters, but horribly edited to the point of distraction. Still worth reading and historically accurate from what I know.
One person found this helpful
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Sam B. Wagner
5.0 out of 5 stars A page-turning fresh and insightful loot at historic events in the WWII South Pacific
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2021
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Excellent characters cast a new and very personal look into historic battles and events surrounding them as a Pearl Harbor realign America fights to stem the incredibly experienced Japanese military might, numerical superiority, and established bases and vicious rule. Tough talented men and women became fully committed to total victory and protecting the core values of their homeland and Constitutional Republic with Old Glory leading and youngsters still in their teens sacrificed all to protect what generations before them had passed on. It is always personal. We will never forget. Well worth the time.
2 people found this helpful
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The E Traveller
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, what a cool book
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
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This book is cool and gives you a cool look at events in history, I did not realise that NZ had two vessels in the war when I read the beginning I thought hey this is cool and then I discovered they were real and are part of World War 2 history
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Don
4.0 out of 5 stars Fine historical novel
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2020
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The author has a fine prose and the ability to evoke emotion in stirring passages. He continues to be plagued by poor proof reading. Is his publisher not providing any editorial support? Nice cover art. Some of the subplots in this book three were a bit more "Clive Cussler - adventure a minute," than the previous novels in this series. Still enjoyable but the subplot around the destruction of the grounded Howell wreck stretched the boundaries of credulity. This pushed this book more towards fiction than historical fiction. Balancing that was a factual account of the downing of Admiral Yamamoto. Interesting and compelling. Nautical comments are accurate and appreciated.
One comment on the COLREGS whistle signal for: "Danger" or Your intentions are not clear." That is five short blasts on the ship's whistle. The author's use of six had this Master Mariner checking his regulations. Mmm, it says five or more blasts on the ship's whistle. So six is acceptable. Perhaps US Navy custom? Yes, I would understand the signal at sea. I mention this just as an aside to note the author's attention to detail. Nicely done.
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024
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Excellent, thoroughly enjoyed it. Look forward to more. Thank you. 15 more words to finish.🤔 Another 5 to go, the end.😊
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Fiction, telling the story of how USA moved to Offense from Defense in WWII PACIFIC
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2022
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Makes you feel you were there through all the action & dangers from enemy & conditions. Shows the problems of excessive ambition vs unselfish leadership on both sides.
Important lessons for today as well.
If we don't learn from history it's our own fault.
Great Stories like this make it easier.
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Marty
5.0 out of 5 stars When Duty Whispers Low
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2023
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Rereading this series. Any WWII buff will love it. Would recommend it to anyone who loves mystery and intrigue. Rereading it because my dad served under Nimitz as a mere lad and wanted to understand Naval tactics, equipment, and ordinance better. Was raised a service brat guess it gets in your blood. Great read, Gobbell is a superb writer. He uses humor, wit and makes everything understandable to a landlubber like me. Enjoy.
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Top reviews from other countries

Fred
5.0 out of 5 stars Had trouble posting this - Really Great Book - a MUST!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
When Duties Whisper Low (230123) Every thing is happening everywhere and mostly to the familiar cast employed by Mr. Gobbell. The trauma that they have been subjected to in previous books in the series is clearly not going to ease off, providing the reader with anticipation and concern.(11%). Gosh! Too much already! (26%). How can I separate from this book! I’ve got other things that must be done! Incredibly moving (28%) What a truly great read (57%) It is about time that the hero’s in this fantastic story got their rewards. I was really surprised at how relieved I felt when our hero got extracted from a really sticky stitch (76%). Medals galore and ‘Boy, did they earn them!’ More Please! Fred
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RC
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Gobbell Classic!
Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2020
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Couldn't stop reading this book. A magnificent page turner! Goebbell has mastered the ability to keep his audience spellbound! Fantastic
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story line but this book lacked page turning
Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2022
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Keep the action coming!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Story Continues
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2021
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The long, vicious, drawn out campaign continues in the Pacific and the.picture builds as to how the campaign went to win the western Pacific and take the fight to the Japanese.
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Daddat
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic storyteller
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2021
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Have read these first three books in just 10 days. Mr Gobbel has to be one of the finest practitioners of the genre, well balanced between action and romance, very well researched and unputdownable.
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