This book is an analysis of the primary documentation from both the Japanese and the United States for the naval Battle off Samar which took place on October 25, 1944. The conclusions of the analysis differ greatly from what has been previously written; there are many revelations about the true role of the famous vessels on each side and about the oft-questioned thinking of the contending admirals. There are hundreds of photos and drawings and several hundred footnotes within the book, each placed within the text at the moment they occurred. This allows the reader to witness the battle as it played out, literally salvo for salvo, with complete confidence in the accuracy of the narration. Essential reading for anyone interested in battleship combat, the naval history of World War II, the Battle off Samar, or the U.S. and Japanese navies.