REVIEW OF STEVE'S BOOKS
BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
“Prolific author Moore (Strike of the Sailfish) details to great effect the heroic exploits of Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Special Forces Sergeant Robert Howard. What makes this book so inviting is the amount of detail Moore offers through an incredible amount of research and a seasoned approach to storytelling.”
—Booklist, November 2024
“Bob Howard was idolized by every recon man at FOB-2; so, I give great credit to Stephen Moore for this fine memorial to the most valiant man I ever met. I’m especially grateful for the comprehensive action-packed battle accounts of some of Bob’s standout operations. These accounts could serve as script story lines to rival those of the great Alistair MacLean.”
—Lieutenant Colonel Ed Wolcoff, MACV-SOG team leader and author of Special Reconnaissance And Advanced Small Unit Patrolling
“We received monthly copies of the Green Beret Magazine circulated monthly in Nam to the six FOBs in 1968 and thereafter. I often read Bob Howard’s name thinking ‘how long can this guy go on without being KIA?’ At last, we now have a solid book from Stephen Moore about the tours of one of the most heroic SOG warriors of the Vietnam War.”
—John Stryker Meyer, MACV-SOG team leader and author of Across the Fence: The Secret War in Vietnam
“Stephen Moore has written a long-awaited biography of the most decorated Special Forces soldier of all time. Even today, then SFC Robert Howard’s exploits, including being recommended three times for the Medal of Honor, remain incredible and reflect the professionalism, dedication, and heroism he exhibited on a daily basis. His exploits are unique and legendary, and almost mythical, but this was a soldier’s soldier.”
— Master Sergeant Jack Crossman, US Army (Ret.)
STRIKE OF THE SAILFISH
Reviews
"The World War II mission of a pair of submarines against the Japanese fleet resulted in both triumph and tragedy . . . Mr. Moore recounts the engagement in engrossing detail."
—Wall Street Journal, January 12, 2024
“Moore's narrative aptly weaves together the stories of two fatefully connected vessels and their crews, highlighting the bond between wartime comrades. This is a treat for WWII history buffs.”
—Publishers Weekly, October 9, 2023
“Even non-military buffs will enjoy spending time with two U.S. Navy crews during World War II. . . a nearly day-by-day account of often terrible events . . . Moore's capable history is fast-paced and gripping. Entertaining World War II naval history by an old hand.”
—Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2023
“In Strike of the Sailfish, historian Stephen L. Moore has resurrected one of the most dramatic stories of World War II—the loss of the submarine Squalus and its recovery and rebirth as the Sailfish. He then interweaves the incredible wartime account of the Sailfish with the Sculpin, the latter of which played a pivotal role in the original rescue of the stricken vessel. The end result is a masterful tale, a nail-biter of a narrative that will leave readers turning pages long after they should have turned out the light!”
—James M. Scott, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Black Snow and Rampage
“One hell of a story! Stephen L. Moore not only recounts the tragically ironic tale of sister World War II submarines Squalus/Sailfish and Sculpin but, in the process, provides a powerful and personal picture of what life and war were really like for the men of the Silent Service, who contributed so mightily to victory. It needs to be told and Moore does a fine job doing so.”
—Don Keith, author of Torpedo Run and co-author of The Hunter Killer Series
PATTON'S PAYBACK
Reviews
“Just when I thought I knew all about America's most famous general, George S. Patton, Stephen Moore emerges with this intimate portrait of the man and his incredible ability to motivate men in their darkest hour. Moore brings you to the battlefield and into the mind of a fearless military genius.”
—Brian Kilmeade, Fox News journalist and New York Times bestselling author of The President and the Freedom Fighter and George Washington's Secret Six
“President Roosevelt called George Patton America’s ‘greatest fighting general,’ but in the hands of Stephen L. Moore he is more than that. Patton’s Payback offers an intimate portrait of the general at a time when the US Army was struggling to meet the Nazi threat. An origin story and battle narrative, Patton’s Payback is essential reading for anyone looking to understand the North Africa campaign and how it forged an American army capable of defeating Nazi Germany.”
—Kevin Maurer, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of No Easy Day and author of Rock Force
RAIN OF STEEL
Reviews
"Rain of Steel is one of the top five aviation books released in the last year or so, and should be on everyone's reading list."—The Aviation Historian
"Moore's work gives readers an excellent and detailed description of skill, bravery, and command of the seas and the air by the United States Navy in World War II."—Naval Historical Foundation
"Moore has ... done the hard work in museums, archives, and interviews. He uses his research to insert further detail into some of the campaign's greatest war stories--the hard slog up to Shuri Castle, the Bunker Hill, the Yamato, Hacksaw Ridge, and Ernie Pyle's death are all narrated here with admirable objectivity."—Air Space & Power Journal
"Context and action. These attributes, in combination with Moore's exhaustive research and excellent writing, make the history of the savage fight against Japan's suicide flyers uniquely accessible to all. Rain of Steel is a must-read for aviation fans and students of the Pacific War alike. Highly recommended."—Jay A. Stout, author of Air Apaches: The True Story of the 345th Bomb Group
uncommon valor
Reviews
"No book is more aptly titled than Uncommon Valor. This is an in-depth analysis of the American warriors who staffed the most covert and unique small-unit operations of the Vietnam War…. Moore deserves high marks for interviewing more than 100 SOG operatives in the course of researching this book, which could easily serve as a subject for a score of movies or several TV series if we were not in a time of political correctness. It is a must-read for the serious student of unconventional warfare."
—Association of the United States Army
"Uncommon Valor is a Vietnam War history book for the ages…. It's highly informative…. Even those familiar with SOG might be enlightened by the insights provided by Moore's nearly one hundred interviewees."—The VVA Veteran
"Steve Moore's SOG book Uncommon Valor is well researched, well written, and is a must-read for any Special Forces warrior or SOG historian/afficionado."—John Stryker Meyer, SOG Green Beret, One-Zero of RT Idaho, and author of Across the Fence
"The Special Forces world in Vietnam is often cloaked in secrecy even today; this work brings out their actions in clear, action-packed prose."—Military Heritage
as good as dead
Reviews
“Stephen L. Moore shows how the desperate Palawan breakout was just the start of a harrowing escape effort that only eleven men ultimately would survive. . . . As Good as Dead keeps alive a dark, nearly forgotten chapter of World War II history. It also reaffirms Moore's skills as a writer of excellent military books.”—The Dallas Morning News
“Meticulously researched and grippingly told, As Good as Dead is a powerful story of brutality, suffering, and the ultimate triumph of the American spirit.”—James M. Scott, Pulitzer Prize finalist and national bestselling author of Target Tokyo
“Equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting, As Good as Dead is an incredible, moving tale told by a master storyteller. Moore’s research is impressive, but his remarkable ability to relate the human story of everyday Americans in time of war is what really makes this book so hard to put down. I highly recommend it.”—John C. McManus, author of The Dead and Those About to Die
“As Good as Dead tells an almost unbelievable story of cruelty and despair in which ordinary men survived by defiant determination, simply refusing to submit to their apparent fate.”
—Gregory A. Freeman, author of The Forgotten 500
the battle for hell's island
Reviews
“A fabulous, memorable re-creation of how the war was experienced…. The Battle for Hell's Island will definitely appeal to anyone with an interest in the carrier wars of World War II.”
—America in WWII
“Stephen L. Moore offers what will soon be ranked a major military classic among the past half century’s torrent of books on the Pacific War…. Not only does The Battle for Hell’s Island highlight new information and examine eyewitness accounts, vignettes and reminiscences hitherto unavailable, the text is a tome of fresh insights and re-evaluated interpretations …. A major, first-rate, authoritative contribution to the literature of WWII.”—Leatherneck Magazine
“Moore’s battle descriptions are gripping…[An] important, illuminating book…The Battle for Hell’s Island brings vital new insights into how America and its Allies advanced from shellshocked defenders to powerful victors in the Pacific War.”—The Dallas Morning News
PACIFIC PAYBACK
Reviews
“Deeply researched and well written...by far the most detailed account of USS Enterprise’s dive-bombers, and their decisive role at the Battle of Midway.”—Jonathan Parshall, coauthor of Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway
“[A] heartfelt tribute to the SBD pilots and radiomen...a valuable contribution to the history of the Pacific War.”—John B. Lundstrom, author of The First Team
“Well researched and detailed . . . a very full and well rounded view of the critical first six months of the war.”—WWII History Magazine
“I have read many great accounts of the battle of Midway. This ranks with those at the top of the list. The extensive research and battle descriptions honor the brave American Naval aviators and their support Navy crews who paved the way to victory in The Second World War.”—Amazon review submitted by independent reader
texas rising
Reviews
“A page-turner. ... Moore has combined excellent research with perceptive analysis and a compelling narrative to bring to life the people and events of one of the most heroic episodes in American history.”—Thom Hatch, Spur Award-winning author of The Last Outlaws: The Lives and Legends of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
“Stephen L. Moore’s vivid portrayal of this tumultuous period helps bridge the gulf between fact and fiction in Texas Rangers’ history.”—Jody Edward Ginn, PhD, historian, former Texas Rangers Association
“Entertaining. ... Any western history buff or those who wish to learn more about the formative days of Texas will find this a fascinating read.”—The Californian
“A lively account of the battles of the Texas Revolution against Mexico in the 1830s and subsequent fighting against native tribes residing in the region. ... Colorful. ... [A] fast-moving narrative.”—Library Journal
BATTLE SURFACE!
Reviews
“USS Parche and its Skipper, Commander Red Ramage, were the epitome of operational success during the war. Battle Surface! describes the lack of physiological and psychological privacy on our submarines and how these defecits enabled camaraderie to flourish. I was lucky to have known Red Ramage and many of his crew members. Battle Surface! is a must read for all who want to understand what the ‘Greatest Generation’ gave us in World War II.”—Albert Konetzni, Jr., Vice Admiral, USN (Ret), Former Commander, U.S. Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
“A fantastic telling of a great submarine’s exploits and the stirring tale of a truly extraordinary commander. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”
—Alex Kershaw, author of Escape From the Deep
“Author Moore writes well about the submarine warfare he knows so intimately. This is his fourth book on the topic and by far is the best. A very enjoyable nail-biting read from cover to cover.”
—Sea Classics Magazine, October 2011
savage frontier 4-volume series
Reviews
“There is a wealth of social as well as military history lurking in these chapters. No one who is interested in the people and the problems of the Texas Republic can afford to leave these pages unread.”—Dr. James E. Crisp, author of How Did Davy Die?
“An exhaustively researched study of the pervasive violence that confronted the newborn Texas Rangers even in colonial days.”—Kent Biffle, Dallas Morning News
“The volumes of Savage Frontier provide exciting action and accurate history. In addition, important genealogical material is given for anyone seeking the role of his or her ancestors in early Texas history.”—Chuck Parsons, Texas Ranger Dispatch
"The racial and cultural diversity of early Texan forces may be the most significant contribution Moore has made to Texas Ranger historiography. Before his efforts, the concept of an Indian or Tejano Ranger during the Republic period was at most mentioned in passing and largely unknown to the general public and to many scholars."—Southwestern Historical Quarterly
eighteen minutes
Reviews
“It's a testament to Moore's skill as a military historian that he's able to make tertiary military taks. Interesting enough to warrant the couple of hundred dense pages he devotes to these not inherently fascinating tasks. Eighteen Minutes is a fairly old-fashioned military story that revels in the story itself, rather than any kind of heavy, academically oriented interpretation of it. Military history buffs will justifiably appreciate its lack of pretension and obsessive attention to detail.”
—Jimmy McWilliams, Austin American Statesman
“Extensively researched and the narrative advances easily.”
—Glenn Dromgoogle, The Houston Chronicle
“A painstaking and precise account of the San Jacinto campaign. A definitive work on the Texas campaign following the Alamo and Goliad. This is not a Texas hero-worshipping or Texas-bashing book. It is a detailed work of history and, like all history, it is neither black nor white. No book collection of the Texas Revolution should be considered complete without this book.”
—J. Osborne, Gainesville Daily Register
"Superbly written military history."—Wisconsin Bookwatch
spadefish
Reviews
“This is a GREAT submarine book! Although Spadefish was late coming to the war (July of 1944), she quickly made up for lost time. In her five war patrols, she rolled up some impressive results—fifth of all U.S. submarines in total tonnage sunk and sixth in number of ships sunk. Steve Moore has written a very detailed but also very readable book about a top submarine that has not, until now, received the credit it was due. This book is also notable for the attention it pays to the experiences of Spadefish’s crew members. Liberally sprinkled with interesting photographs, it is a fine tribute to one of the leading submarines of WWII.”—James F. Calvert, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret.), author of Silent Running
“The breadth and depth of Moore’s spadework for Spadefish is evident. The most remarkable features of the Spadefish book are the battle narratives and the lavish detail of life aboard the boat. Anyone with any interest in submarine warfare will find Spadefish rewarding.”
—America In WWII Magazine, October 2007