Book cover of Left to Die: The Tragedy of the USS Juneau

Book description

Examines the mystery and controversy surrounding a devastating tragedy in U.S. naval history--the sinking of the U.S.S. Juneau in 1942, in which nearly seven hundred lives were lost

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Left to Die as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

As a baby boomer, I love all things WWII. I’d always heard about the five Sullivan brothers on the USS Juneau and their devastating demise. So naturally I was drawn to read Kurzman’s book.

Although extremely sorrowful, the author does an amazing job with creating an up close and personal account of this WWII tragedy. From unfathomed suffering and sacrifice of the survivors to the battles of ravenous sharks, I found this book to be gripping and hard to stop reading.

A wrenching WWII true story of the ill-fated cruiser, the USS Juneau, Dan Kurzman writes of the real horrors with incredibly researched details.

Before the ship’s torpedo attack, which was really intended for the USS San Francisco ship, the sacrifices and teamwork of the Greatest Generation sailors impacted me at a personal level. The five Sullivan Brothers’ personal stories gripped me with each turn of the page.

Kurzman’s description of the unfathomed suffering and sacrifice of the survivors, with their battles against delirium in the shark-infested waters, explodes as a gigantic tragedy in the Pacific Theater. Although intensely sad, if…

If you love Left to Die...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like Left to Die?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Left to Die.

Browse books like Left to Die

Book cover of The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour
Book cover of World War II History for Teens: Understanding the Major Battles, Military Strategy, and Arc of War
Book cover of Land That I Love: a Novel of the Texas Hill Country

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,366

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Left to Die, you might also like...

Book cover of Deadly Revenge

Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley,

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with…

Book cover of The Duty of Memory

The Duty of Memory by Vicki Olsen,

Separating the true stories from the myths, The Duty of Memory provides a deeper understanding of the diverse motivations that drove ordinary people to join an underground network of French Resistants despite terrible odds and horrifying consequences.

This book takes the reader inside the true story of men and women…

5 book lists we think you will like!