Tales From a Tin Can

“Author Olson managed to interview 44 veterans of the World War II destroyer U.S.S. Dale (despite their average age of 88), producing the first oral history of one ship's adventures over the entire Pacific theater. Their tales produce no new insights, but their eyewitness accounts of great and trivial events are fascinating. A dozen veterans describe the attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred all around them, leaving their ship untouched. The men also spent nine miserable months in the Aleutians in subzero weather and stormy seas with no relief; five crew members suffered nervous breakdowns. But the Dale was a lucky ship: no sailors died in action, though all agree on the terrors of kamikaze attacks that destroyed nearby vessels. More frightening were typhoons during which everyone expected death for days on end, joining companion destroyers that sank with all hands. Between reminiscences, Olson writes a running account of the war and illuminates shipboard details readers need to know. His book is an impressive accomplishment, bringing vividly to life the actions of a single warship that fought across half the world during 1941–1945."--Publishers Weekly
                      
“[Tales from a Tin Can] describes the actions, hardships, and joys of a WWII destroyer as seen through the eyes of her crew. The author writes a mix of WWII Pacific History, entries from the ship’s Deck log, and a labyrinth of quotes and tales from the ships crewmembers … Tales from a Tin Can is a good read and an excellent overview of WWII in the Pacific.”  -Military Magazine             

Register –Pajaronian (CA), June 15, 2007

“Told through the narratives of 44 of the ship’s crew, this fascinating book captures not only the furious clashes with the Japanese but also the humdrum days in-between and the heart-stopping encounters with typhoons that could be as lethal as any engagement with the enemy. Anyone interested in stories from World War II will find this well-illustrated account of the naval campaign in the Pacific fascinating.”

Californian, June 2, 2007

“This new book’s eyewitness accounts of events aboard the destroyer will appeal to anyone interested in World War II. The 17 pages of black and white photos are an added plus and assist the reader in visualizing the ship and the men who share their memories on a ‘tin can.’”

WWII History, September 2007

“What was life like on a destroyer during World War II? Find out by reading Michael Keith Olson’s superb telling of tales of the war in the Pacific as seen from the deck of a very luck ‘tin can”… The son of a former Dale crewman, Olson interviewed 44 veterans and delved deeply into official documents to give this book the air of authenticity that puts the reader in the heart of the action.

“Tales from a Tin Can is the first oral history of one combat ship’s adventures, sometimes comic, sometimes mundane, sometimes heart wrenching, over the entire course of America’s involvement in the Pacific. An impressive accomplishment and highly recommended.”