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40 Thieves on Saipan  By  cover art

40 Thieves on Saipan

By: Joseph Tachovsky, Cynthia Kraack
Narrated by: Qarie Marshall
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Publisher's summary

Before there were Navy SEALs, before there were Green Berets, there were the 40 Thieves: the elite Scout Sniper Platoon of the Sixth Marine Regiment during World War II.

Behind enemy lines on the island of Saipan - where firing a gun could mean instant discovery and death - the 40 Thieves killed in silence during the grueling battle for Saipan, the D-Day of the Pacific.

Now, Joseph Tachovsky - whose father, Frank, was the commanding officer of the 40 Thieves, also called Tachovsky's Terrors - joins with award-winning author Cynthia Kraack to transport listeners back to the brutal Battle of Saipan. Built on hours of personal interviews with WWII veterans, their personal papers, letters, and documentation from the National Archives, 40 Thieves on Saipan is an astonishing portrayal of elite World War II combat. It's also a rare glimpse into the lives of World War II Marines. The poorest equipped branch of the services at that time, Marines were notorious thieves. To improve their odds for victory against the Japanese, they found it necessary to improve their supply chains through "Marine Methods" - stealing. Being the elite of the Sixth Regiment, the Scout-Sniper Platoon excelled at the craft - earning them the nickname of the "40 Thieves" from their envious peers. Upon returning from a 1943 trip to the Pacific theater, Eleanor Roosevelt observed, "The Marines I have met around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marines."

©2020 Joseph Tachovsky (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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What listeners say about 40 Thieves on Saipan

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Excellent

Great untold story at least to my knowledge, great action and narration was a win... for those who gave it all, so we may remember their triumphs.

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11 people found this helpful

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fantastic

Fantastic book that provides insight into the worst parts of the pacific theater. Being apart of a different generation we don't always understand what they went through. my grandfather fought in Europe and never said a word about what he saw or did. tha k you for writing this book!!

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1 person found this helpful

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an impressive and immersive account

this was fantastically well researched and very compelling. Lots of detailed accounts of events that brought these young soldiers to life, living through some of the most brutal combat of the second world war.

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1 person found this helpful

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Amazing Book

It's not a dry telling of history, but a narrative. The book puts you right there with the scout sniper platoon. I read a lot of military books. This is definitely one of my favorites. I highly recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

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letters need editing.

the personal letters added a "touch " but often were not germaine to the story line.

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1 person found this helpful

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A great veteran story

I loved listening to the history of men of Valor and courage. Thank you for letting me relive the heroic history of the 40 thiefs.

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Very Real…!!

Being a Veteran, I felt I was there!! Well Documented, an Excellent Read!! A
very good read…

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Brings the Marines to life.

Wonderful story of battle from the men who fought it. Highly recommended to any one.

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6 people found this helpful

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Don't miss this book@

The story of the most remarkable Amerian generation and the life their lifelong selflessness and patriatism brought us. Remember their sacrifice and fight for democracy!

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2 people found this helpful

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Loved this book

At times I would laugh out loud, at other times a tear would come to my eye. Well written and well read.

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1 person found this helpful