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Out of the Depths: An Unforgettable WWII Story of Survival, Courage, and the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis Hardcover – May 6, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
To keep us all together through the massive crests of waves, our dwindling little group formed a circle and fastened our life jackets to one another. Those who didn't have a jacket hung on to someone who did.
As our bodies baked in the open sea, we began to realize that the sun was transitioning from friend to foe. It soon blistered our previously chilled and now exposed flesh. We tore our clothing to make protective hoods, but the ultraviolet rays reflecting off the water still managed to find our skin. The bright glare forced us to squint our eyes until our facial muscles became utterly exhausted. Our eyes also burned from the caustic saltwater waves that constantly splashed our faces.
Late on that first day, around dusk, we had company. To our horror, we saw several large black dorsal fins cutting through the water and circling our group. I cannot describe the fear . . .
As our bodies baked in the open sea, we began to realize that the sun was transitioning from friend to foe. It soon blistered our previously chilled and now exposed flesh. We tore our clothing to make protective hoods, but the ultraviolet rays reflecting off the water still managed to find our skin. The bright glare forced us to squint our eyes until our facial muscles became utterly exhausted. Our eyes also burned from the caustic saltwater waves that constantly splashed our faces.
Late on that first day, around dusk, we had company. To our horror, we saw several large black dorsal fins cutting through the water and circling our group. I cannot describe the fear . . .
From the Back Cover
The Inspiring Story of a World War II Hero's Miraculous Survival at Sea
July 30, 1945--The USS Indianapolis and its 1,196-man crew is making its way toward a small island in the South Pacific. The ship is sailing unescorted, assured by headquarters the waters are safe. It is midnight, and Marine Edgar Harrell and several others have sacked out on deck rather than spend the night in their hot and muggy quarters below. Fresh off a top-secret mission to deliver uranium for the atomic bombs that would ultimately end World War II, they are unaware their ship is being watched. Minutes later, six torpedoes are slicing toward the Indy . . .
For five horrifying days and nights after their ship went down, Harrell and his shipmates had to fend for themselves in the open seas. Plagued by dehydration, exposure, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks, their numbers were cruelly depleted before they were miraculously rescued. This is one man's story of courage, ingenuity, and faith in God's providence in the midst of the worst naval disaster in U.S. history.
"There aren't too many times when the word 'hero' is appropriately used. Heroes are people who do extraordinary things in the service of others. Edgar Harrell is a true American hero."--Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, host of national television and radio shows, and bestselling author
"A harrowing account of the sacrifice of sailors and Marines who fought and died for their country, so we could live. It is a story you should not and will not ever forget."
--Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., RAdm, USN (Ret.)
"A gripping tale of men tested beyond anything they thought possible--and how they responded with bravery, endurance, and faith."
--Oliver L. North, Lt. Col., USMC (Ret.)
"I am deeply grateful to Edgar Harrell and the United States Marine Corps. If our nation needs anything at this moment, it is the boost of stories of heroism, courage, and faith. Harrell's unique description of being aboard the torpedoed Indianapolis in wartime and his experiences with the treacheries of the deep make an incomparable read. Brimmed full of illustrations of God's graciousness and goodness even amidst incredible suffering, Out of the Depths ought to be read by every serious American."--Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
July 30, 1945--The USS Indianapolis and its 1,196-man crew is making its way toward a small island in the South Pacific. The ship is sailing unescorted, assured by headquarters the waters are safe. It is midnight, and Marine Edgar Harrell and several others have sacked out on deck rather than spend the night in their hot and muggy quarters below. Fresh off a top-secret mission to deliver uranium for the atomic bombs that would ultimately end World War II, they are unaware their ship is being watched. Minutes later, six torpedoes are slicing toward the Indy . . .
For five horrifying days and nights after their ship went down, Harrell and his shipmates had to fend for themselves in the open seas. Plagued by dehydration, exposure, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks, their numbers were cruelly depleted before they were miraculously rescued. This is one man's story of courage, ingenuity, and faith in God's providence in the midst of the worst naval disaster in U.S. history.
"There aren't too many times when the word 'hero' is appropriately used. Heroes are people who do extraordinary things in the service of others. Edgar Harrell is a true American hero."--Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, host of national television and radio shows, and bestselling author
"A harrowing account of the sacrifice of sailors and Marines who fought and died for their country, so we could live. It is a story you should not and will not ever forget."
--Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., RAdm, USN (Ret.)
"A gripping tale of men tested beyond anything they thought possible--and how they responded with bravery, endurance, and faith."
--Oliver L. North, Lt. Col., USMC (Ret.)
"I am deeply grateful to Edgar Harrell and the United States Marine Corps. If our nation needs anything at this moment, it is the boost of stories of heroism, courage, and faith. Harrell's unique description of being aboard the torpedoed Indianapolis in wartime and his experiences with the treacheries of the deep make an incomparable read. Brimmed full of illustrations of God's graciousness and goodness even amidst incredible suffering, Out of the Depths ought to be read by every serious American."--Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
Joan N.
on May 1, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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Just after midnight on July 30, 1945, only weeks before the end of WW II, a Japanese submarine launched torpedoes at the USS Indianapolis. Two found their mark and within fifteen minutes the cruiser went down without a trace. Some 900 men were in the shark infested waters of the Philippine Sea. Only 317 remained alive when rescue occurred five days later. This is the story of one of them.
Harrell recounts his experience on the USS Indianapolis, the battles, transporting uranium-235 that would be used in the bombs dropped on Japan, and the submarine attack. His experience in the ocean is amazing. He gives all the glory to God saying it was God's unfailing presence that sustained him. He helps us understand what happens to the body when in water that long. He tells of the thirst, the shark attacks, crying out to God, twelve foot swells, rain, the life jackets getting water logged, and then the miraculous rescue.
There was a naval cover up of the incident as blame was placed on the skipper. The truth finally came out fifty years later when documents were declassified. Several of the men formed a survivors group and went to battle for the skipper, ultimately seeing his name exonerated.
This is a timely account of that war. Memories of WW II are fading and many of the younger generation know nothing of the heroes of that era. This is a great book to remind us of what that generation sacrificed for our freedom.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
Harrell recounts his experience on the USS Indianapolis, the battles, transporting uranium-235 that would be used in the bombs dropped on Japan, and the submarine attack. His experience in the ocean is amazing. He gives all the glory to God saying it was God's unfailing presence that sustained him. He helps us understand what happens to the body when in water that long. He tells of the thirst, the shark attacks, crying out to God, twelve foot swells, rain, the life jackets getting water logged, and then the miraculous rescue.
There was a naval cover up of the incident as blame was placed on the skipper. The truth finally came out fifty years later when documents were declassified. Several of the men formed a survivors group and went to battle for the skipper, ultimately seeing his name exonerated.
This is a timely account of that war. Memories of WW II are fading and many of the younger generation know nothing of the heroes of that era. This is a great book to remind us of what that generation sacrificed for our freedom.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By
Amazon Customer
on May 2, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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This is the story of the tragedy of the USS Indianapolis told from firsthand account. I was familiar with the basics of the story before I read this book but had never read about the incident in detail before. The book pretty much had me hooked from the beginning. It's a difficult story to read but the author tells how his faith and his belief in God grew because of the experience. It also details the cover up blaming the captain following the incident which was difficult to read after there had already been so much suffering. I am a history buff so I found this book a compelling read, but the writing was excellent so I think even someone who did not love history would enjoy this book.
Bethany House publishers provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Bethany House publishers provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
G. Branch
on April 24, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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I was a little hesitant about this book at first, but after the first few pages I could not put it down. It is the story of the USS Indianapolis. Harrell relates his experiences in simple, convincing detail. His description of training and life on the ship revealed the same experiences found in several other firsthand accounts lending authenticity early on to this story.
As he continues certain questions arise as to the conduct of the war and the level of secrecy that was maintained by the leadership at the highest levels. And finally as the Indianapolis is sent out without escort or knowledge of the danger they could and did encounter the reader begins to understand the repercussions of policies in place at the time. The ship is sunk by a submarine, the crew left to fend for themselves without any action to question the fate of the ship when it did not arrive as expected.
After his return stateside he and others set about the task of clearing their captain’s name after he had born the weight of guilt for the disaster. Yes, according to this book, the government was definitely culpable in a cover up to keep the populace from knowing the extent of the event and the lack of response. The survivors did finally succeed in their efforts, years later and only after the captain had endured the shame and hate spewed at him.
But that is not the total point of this story. Harrell’s reason for telling this is much deeper and totally related to the God that he believed remained in control of this situation the entire time. In the final chapter Harrell comes to grips with the need of forgiveness---even toward the commander of the submarine that ordered the attack on his ship.
I do recommend this book fully. If you have ever wondered how somebody got through a really difficult time in their life, this one will give you lots of insight as to the part God played and the part the person played.
As he continues certain questions arise as to the conduct of the war and the level of secrecy that was maintained by the leadership at the highest levels. And finally as the Indianapolis is sent out without escort or knowledge of the danger they could and did encounter the reader begins to understand the repercussions of policies in place at the time. The ship is sunk by a submarine, the crew left to fend for themselves without any action to question the fate of the ship when it did not arrive as expected.
After his return stateside he and others set about the task of clearing their captain’s name after he had born the weight of guilt for the disaster. Yes, according to this book, the government was definitely culpable in a cover up to keep the populace from knowing the extent of the event and the lack of response. The survivors did finally succeed in their efforts, years later and only after the captain had endured the shame and hate spewed at him.
But that is not the total point of this story. Harrell’s reason for telling this is much deeper and totally related to the God that he believed remained in control of this situation the entire time. In the final chapter Harrell comes to grips with the need of forgiveness---even toward the commander of the submarine that ordered the attack on his ship.
I do recommend this book fully. If you have ever wondered how somebody got through a really difficult time in their life, this one will give you lots of insight as to the part God played and the part the person played.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By
B. Barden
on July 18, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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This is an excellent book. There may be points I could make against the writing but I won't because the book isn't about how vividly it recounts the ordeal that Harrell went through, nor is it a book that I think they want you to get 'lost in' while reading. No; this book has real emotion and enough detail that it will wretch the gut of those who have compassion and a hope in the Lord.
When I began the book I thought it slow-going but I had to shift from a novel reading mentality to a nonfiction book about an experience in war. Harrell gives backstory- his, the USS Indianapolis, and a bit of the circumstances ultimately leading to the ordeal he and his crewmates endured. One of the things that kept me reading was the very evident belief that God would get him through whatever he encountered. In the book, Harrell mentions that before leaving for the war he hadn't really accepted God- he had be a churchgoer but did not have a relationship with God. That changed right before he shipped out.
Throughout the book, Harrell relays the verses that kept him holding his head above water- literally. There were so many who were without the peace he had; did they not know God?; did they not have a relationship with God? Many did not; many gave up. Harrell says that the peace he had helped him be okay with however his plight turned out. In one instance, his buddy Miles Spooner, who had major damage to his eyes and was in a lot of pain, wanted to just let go and sink. Harrell prayed with him. Here is what is in the book:
Years later, my Marine buddy Miles Spooner gave an interview to a newspaper and described me as "a 'hard-shell' Christian, (who) quoted Bible verses, prayed, and pleaded with God during their extended time afloat.Read more ›
When I began the book I thought it slow-going but I had to shift from a novel reading mentality to a nonfiction book about an experience in war. Harrell gives backstory- his, the USS Indianapolis, and a bit of the circumstances ultimately leading to the ordeal he and his crewmates endured. One of the things that kept me reading was the very evident belief that God would get him through whatever he encountered. In the book, Harrell mentions that before leaving for the war he hadn't really accepted God- he had be a churchgoer but did not have a relationship with God. That changed right before he shipped out.
Throughout the book, Harrell relays the verses that kept him holding his head above water- literally. There were so many who were without the peace he had; did they not know God?; did they not have a relationship with God? Many did not; many gave up. Harrell says that the peace he had helped him be okay with however his plight turned out. In one instance, his buddy Miles Spooner, who had major damage to his eyes and was in a lot of pain, wanted to just let go and sink. Harrell prayed with him. Here is what is in the book:
Years later, my Marine buddy Miles Spooner gave an interview to a newspaper and described me as "a 'hard-shell' Christian, (who) quoted Bible verses, prayed, and pleaded with God during their extended time afloat.Read more ›
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