The Nugget: A Novel

P. T. Deutermann

Oct 2019 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

A novice naval aviator grows into a hero in this gripping and authentic World War II adventure by master storyteller P. T. Deutermann

Lieutenant Bobby Steele, USN, is a fresh-faced and eager naval aviator: a "Nugget," who needs to learn the ropes and complex procedures of taking off and returning safely to his aircraft carrier. A blurry night of drinking lands him in an unfamiliar bed aboard the USS Oklahoma; later that day, the Japanese destroy Pearl Harbor. After cheating death and losing his friend in this act of war, the formerly naive Steele vows to avenge the attack.

Flying sea battle after battle, Steele survives the most dangerous air combat in World War II, including Midway, is shot down twice, rescued twice, and eventually leads a daring mission to free prisoners from a secluded Japanese POW camp. Packed with authentic military action on land and at sea in the Pacific Theatre of WWII and featuring a memorable protagonist based on a true-life hero, The Nugget is a first-class adventure by a former commander whose family served in the Pacific.

Ratings and reviews

The Nugget by P.T. Deutermann World War II Navy #6 I remember reading books by C. S. Forester with Horatio Hornblower that were kept on a special shelf in my father’s library. Earlier than that I had an interest in women pirates after reading a book in an American Heritage series. This book took me back in time but not as far back in time as the books I just mentioned. This took me to WWII and Pearl Harbor when it was bombed and then later into battle in the Pacific. The main character narrates this story and in so doing vividly shares his experiences in a way that engaged all of my senses. I followed Robert T. Steele as he woke to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and managed to survive, qualified to land his plane on the deck of a ship in the middle of the ocean, dealt with the loss of those he fought and flew with, was with him when he ran into trouble flying or on ships and was beside him as he dealt with being marooned on a Philippine Island occupied by Japanese. The horrors perpetrated by the Japanese were atrocious, inhumane and grimly shared. The work that Steele and his gunner, Rooster, managed to accomplish on that fictional island were both heroic and impressive making me thankful I was merely an observer from my living room armchair rather than in the pitched battles Steele seemed to find himself in. My grandfather was in the Navy during WW I and my father was in Pearl Harbor waiting to be shipped out when the war ended. I have been to Pearl Harbor and have thought about all of those men that were lost. This book made me think and feel and care as it made me remember World War II. It also reminded me of the ship that evacuated me from Lebanon on my birthday in 1984. Did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by this author? Definitely Did I need to read previous books in this series before reading this one? No Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars

About the author

P.T. Deutermann is the acclaimed author of many previous novels based on his experiences as a senior staff officer in Washington and at sea as a Navy Captain, and later, Commodore. His WWII works include Pacific Glory, which won the W.Y. Boyd Award for Excellence in Military Fiction, Sentinels of Fire, The Commodore, Ghosts of Bungo Suido,and The Iceman. He lives with his wife of 50 years in North Carolina.