Just published
New, updated edition of In Harm’s Way; and a Young Readers’ Edition adaptation.
Doug Stanton
Doug Stanton is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, lecturer, screenwriter. His books include The Odyssey of Echo Company, In Harm’s Way, and Horse Soldiers. Horse Soldiers is the basis for a Jerry Bruckheimer-produced movie titled 12 Strong, starring Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon, released by Warner Bros. in 2018. Horse Soldiers is required reading by US Army Special Forces at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. In Harm’s Way, the definitive account of the sinking, rescue, and valor of the USS Indianapolis crew, spent more than six months on the New York Times bestseller list and became required reading on the U.S. Navy's reading list for officers. The unabridged audiobook edition of In Harm’s Way is the winner of the 2017 Audie Award in the History category. Horse Soldiers was featured on the front page of the Sunday New York Times Book Review, and is also a New York Times bestselling ebook and audiobook. The Odyssey of Echo Company is a Military Times Best Book Of The Year and recipient of the The Society of Midlands Authors Best NonFiction Book Award. He has lectured at libraries, civic and corporate groups, bookstores, universities, including the US Department of State and The Center for Strategic International Studies. He recently appeared, with Lynn Novick, co-producer of PBS’s "The Vietnam War,” on CSPAN’s "American History” to discuss the Vietnam War.
The Odyssey of Echo Company
The 1968 Tet Offensive and the Epic Battle to Survive the Vietnam War
Horse Soldiers
The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan
In Harm's Way
The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors
About In Harm’s Way
Doug Stanton has appeared as an USS Indianapolis historian on PBS’s 2017 “USS Indianapolis–From The Deep,” The Today Show, CNN, Fox, Morning Joe, NBC Nightly News, CBS This Morning, C-SPAN Book TV, History, A&E, Smithsonian Channel, Discovery, and in hundreds of national radio and print interviews.
In Harm’s Way spent more than six months on the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated in multiple languages. In 2017, the unabridged audiobook edition was the winner of an Audie Award in the History category.The book is read in U.S. highs schools as part of History and English/Creative Writing coursework and is a popular choice of book clubs nationwide.
His writing about the USS Indianapolis has appeared in Naval History magazine and other national publications. In Harm’s Way was included in the U.S. Navy’s required reading list for naval officers.
In Harm’s Way was a Publisher’s Weekly “Notable Book," a Michigan Notable Book of the Year, a Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com Notable/Best Book of The Year, and appeared on multiple bestseller lists: The New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Detroit Free Press, Washington Post, USA TODAY, Christian Science Monitor, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, The Sunday Times (London), and Book Sense.
As chronicled in In Harm’s Way, in July 2001, the Department of Navy, joining with the United States Congress, exonerated the ship’s court-martialed captain, Charles McVay. This historic reversal of fortune was preceded by a decades-long journey by USS Indianapolis survivors and families, friends, and interested parties from across the US, seeking justice for McVay and their ship’s legacy. As survivor Giles McCoy told Doug Stanton, he and his shipmates had promised McVay that they would “clear the skipper’s name.” McCoy, founder of the USS Indianapolis Survivors’ organization, and his shipmates made further good on this promise with the dedication of the USS Indianapolis National Memorial, in August, 1995.
After the publication of In Harm’s Way, Doug and Anne Stanton established “The USS Indianapolis Survivor’s Fund Scholarship Program,” administered by the Grand Traverse Regional Foundation, and later generously endowed, in memory of rescue pilot of Chuck Gwinn, as “The USS Indianapolis/Gwinn 'Angel' Scholarship Endowment” by the Gwinn family. Doug and Anne also provided the initial donation supporting publication of USS Indianapolis Survivors' oral histories. '
IN HARM’S WAY
“Stanton not only offers a well-researched chronicle of what is widely regarded as the worst naval disaster in U.S. history, but also vividly renders the combatants’ hellish ordeal during the sinking, and the ensuing days at sea as well as attempts to cope with the traumatic aftermath. Stanton’s omniscient narrative shifts among the individual perspectives of several principal characters, a successful technique that contributes to the book’s absorbing, novelistic feel.”
–Publisher’s WeeklyIN HARM’S WAY
“A thoroughly researched, powerfully written account of a nightmare at sea, one of the most poignant tragedies and injustices of World War II. I was struck throughout by the extraordinary heroism of the marines and sailors who survived, all the more remarkable because they do not see it on themselves.”
– Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down and Hue 1968IN HARM’S WAY
“[In Harm’s Way] fully deserves the acclaim it has received.”
–National ReviewIN HARM’S WAY
“A haunting story of valor, iniquity, and young men in peril on the sea. Once the Indianapolis steams into the crosshairs of the Japanese submarine I-58, In Harm’s Way is impossible to put down. Doug Stanton’s account of the Indy’s sinking and the harrowing aftermath is as infuriating, mesmerizing, and heartbreaking as any tale yet told of the great war in the Pacific.“
– Rick Atkinson, author of The Long Gray Line and The Liberation TrilogyIN HARM’S WAY
“When it comes to… sea tales, few are as riveting as that of the USS Indianapolis…”
–The Wall Street JournalIN HARM’S WAY
“Stanton tensely tells how four days of shark attacks and hypothermia killed hundreds.”
–People magazineIN HARM’S WAY
“In Harm’s Way is an important book.”
–New Orleans Times-PicayuneIN HARM’S WAY
“…A powerfully intimate story… Stanton’s book successfully paints a remarkable picture of…heroism, and the strength of the human spirit.”
–American HistoryIN HARM’S WAY
“Doug Stanton has done this country a service by bringing the incredible yet almost-forgotten story of the USS Indianapolis to heart-pounding life. Do yourself a favor. Read In Harm’s Way.”
–James Bradley, author of Flags of Our FathersIN HARM’S WAY
“The secret to any good history book is for readers to be taught a history lesson without knowing it. In Harm’s Way does just that.”
–Chicago TribuneIN HARM’S WAY
““Superbly crafted, [In Harm’s Way] . . . benefits from sympathetic research on the Indianapolis survivors, the horrors of their experiences, and their courage in surviving.”
–BooklistIN HARM’S WAY
“Drawing on extensive interviews with survivors and rescuers and on government files that have only recently been opened to view, Doug Stanton has rendered a public service by providing the first complete account of the tragedy of Indianapolis. . . This is a grim, poignant story that needed to be told fully and honestly. With painstaking research and an unerring eye for detail, Stanton has set down a riveting, eloquent tale of great power.”
–World War II magazineIN HARM’S WAY
“Stanton writes a riveting account of the USS Indianapolis, [and] weaves testimony from survivors with corroborating research… a harrowing story of what the survivors withstood until help arrived.”
–Christian Science MonitorNews & Events
Doug Stanton Named A Michiganian Of The Year
"We've moved writing from an ivory tower to Main Street," Stanton said. Meantime, Traverse City is supporting at least nine bookstores — with Stanton prominent in many of them.
Doug writes about the USS Indianapolis in The New York Times: Moral Lessons From the Crucible of the Sea
Each summer, as Lake Michigan finally begins to warm, I think of the men of the World War II cruiser Indianapolis and the worst disaster at sea in United States naval history. I go down to the lake and I wonder: How would I have survived what they experienced?
Upcoming Events
Doug's 2017 national tour finished with television and radio appearances at the Tuscon Festival of the Book, Savannah Book Festival, and the movie premiere of "12 Strong," based on his bestselling book "Horse Soldiers." His 2018 tour starts with the paperback publication of "The Odyssey of Echo Company." You can contact Doug regarding speaking about his books here.
Recent Posts
This Is Why the Survivors of USS Indianapolis Disaster Claim They’ve “Never Had a Bad Day” Since Their Rescue
The Odyssey of Echo Company: Looking back on Vietnam and the Tet Offensive
Author Doug Stanton of “Horse Soldiers” and “The Odyssey of Echo Company:” “This is a different story for America”
Odyssey named Best Nonfiction Book By The Midland Society of Authors
Odyssey chosen as Military Times Best Book Of The Year
Hi there!
Hi everyone,
Right now, there are so few mental health beds in Traverse City that people often have to drive hundreds of miles to get the emergency treatment they need. You can't imagine the hardship.
For those of you who have experienced frustration over the lack of beds and services for your loved one in northern Michigan. please, please speak out. Kate Dahlstrom is collecting testimonials to forward to the appropriate committees and Governor Whitmer with hopes they will provide the funding to add beds in northern Michigan for next fiscal year. Please email her at kkd@longlakeloon.com.
Thanks so much!
Anne
Here is my note from Kate that provides details:
Hello Friends-
I plan to send written testimony to the applicable state house and senate committee chairs soon. These committees have been meeting almost weekly over the last 3 weeks to work on the state YE9/30/2025 budget.
This is our one shot at getting much-needed funding for more mental health treatment beds and services. Please, please provide your brief written testimony (1-2 pages) that points to the lack of beds and services here in Northern MI.
This testimony should come from your personal experience, directly or indirectly. It could be experiences of your family or friends. It could be what you have seen in the jail while providing classes. And it certainly can be your experiences as a social or other worker with kids or adults not able to get an inpatient bed and boarding in the ED or being sent a long distance away for care.
All of it should point to the fact that we do NOT have adequate inpatient beds and services in our region, and we should not be forced to travel 2-6 hours downstate or out-of-state for care.
Before they go spending more money on pet (often non-essential) projects, legislators need to provide for essential mental health care. They know we are here when they need a place to go for vacation. They need to know we are here when it's time to fund behavioral health care, especially much-needed beds!!
Please provide your name and a little about you in testimony, but do not provide names of patients.
Thank you for making a difference.
Kate
Betsy Coffia ... See MoreSee Less
3 days ago
Do you have numbers- how many beds for population size?
KAI BIRD is coming to the Traverse City National Writers Series.
Doug W. StantonTonight is a big night for one of our upcoming Fall 2024 authors.
With all the excitement around the movie Oppenheimer and its nominations at the Oscars tonight, we thought we'd announce that on Oct. 9, NWS will host Kai Bird, author of "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer" that inspired the major motion picture, Oppenheimer!
Check our website mid-summer for details. We will have both in-person and virtual tickets for sale! ... See MoreSee Less
5 days ago
Doug Stanton, Kai Bird’s book should be considered a National treasure. I cannot imagine how many years it took him to write it ( probably as long as it took me to finish reading it the first time!).
Doug and I are going through our bookshelves and have sooo many books that could use a new home. We have donated hundreds already to Landmark Books and Traverse Heights (next week, if they'll take them), but do you know of a book broker that sells books for others—is there even such a thing? ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago
Blue Vase?
Blue Vase
Blue Vase...Traverse Area Library...senior facilities have their own libraries...Cordia...Bay Ridge....Woods on Lafranier.
I’d try Paul. landmarkbookstc.com
I guess we picked a bad time to pass on that old Men’s Journal. But there was a photo of Dave and your kids inside the flap.
An amazing essay. A must read. About teachers and empathy. ... See MoreSee Less
4 weeks ago
Great essay! Thanks Doug Stanton! Sherman Alexie is a well-regarded Native American author whose work I have long admired.
A year ago at the @12StrongMovie premiere as tweeted by @TCWritersSeries: ".@DougStantonBook introduced his mother, Bonnie Stanton, as '@chrishemsworth’s newest crush.’"
Thank you @JenSincero! @ICMPartners @VikingBooks
ICYMI: Here’s the thread from our Evening with @JenSincero. Raucous, fun, inspiring, motivating. https://t.co/lRkuHYb8fD
The Visual Effects team of #12StrongMovie is now nominated for a VES Award. Congrats all!
Karen and Jack are great friends, great people to have in Traverse City.
Now we’re going to present our Bill Montgomery Literary Service Award. It’s going to Jack Segal and Karen Puschel Segal of the Int’l Affairs Forum. We are so lucky they live here!
When I ask the USS Indianapolis survivors about the ordeal’s effect on their lives, they consistently remark that since their rescue, they’ve “never had a bad day.”
https://t.co/8J2DZZhpwy
DON'T MISS OUT
SIGN UP FOR DOUG'S NEWSLETTER