Destroyermen series
Encyclopedia
The Destroyermen series is a series of alternate history books, written by American writer and historian Taylor Anderson
. The six books in the series so far are Into The Storm
, Crusade
, Maelstrom
, Distant Thunders, Rising Tides
, and the most recent book Firestorm.
The books chronicle the adventures of the crews of the destroyer
USS Walker (DD-163)
and the Japanese battlecruiser Amagi, in the early stages of the War in the Pacific
during World War II
, being transported to an alternate Earth
. This earth is the same geographically as the one they left, but evolution took a different turn eons ago.
. The destroyer
USS Walker (DD-163)
is a destroyer of the United States Asiatic Fleet
, commanded by Lieutenant Commander
Matthew Reddy. The Walker was a part of the surviving ABDACOM fleet, consisting of the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Exeter
, HMS Encounter
, and the United States Navy
destroyers Pope
, and Mahan
, all of which were fleeing from Japanese Naval forces. However, the Japanese forces closed range, and opened up on the small Allied fleet. The Exeter took a major hit, and ordered the remaining four destroyers to leave the crippled Cruiser.
The destroyers were systematically sunk, starting with the Encounter, followed by the Pope shortly thereafter just as happened in the real naval battle. The surviving Destroyers, Walker and Mahan then encountered the Japanese battlecruiser Amagi. Seeing no other option, Lieutenant Commander Reddy commanded the pair of destroyers to stage a torpedo attack, which sinks an accompanying destroyer, and badly damages the battlecrusier, before the ships were enveloped in a freak squall, and transported to an alternate world, where humans never evolved.
There are two races, the Lemurians, evolved giant lemurs from Madagascar
, who are peaceful farmers and fishermen, and live on huge oceangoing houseboats called Homes. Walker's captain, Lieutenant Commander
Matthew Reddy, meets with the Lemurian leadership, and forms an alliance with them to fight the other race, the Grik, who are at war with the Lemurians. The Grik are possible descendants of the dinosaur, Velociraptors.
The 6th volume in the series follows the Growing threat from the 'Dominion', a Grik / Jap Superweapon, and the arrival of more ships through the 'Squall', including a Japanese destroyer...
Taylor Anderson
Taylor Anderson is a gunsmith, re-enactor, and history professor. He is the author of the Destroyermen book series, about the USS Walker , USS Mahan , and USS S-19 , and their fight against the Grik. His fifth book of the series; Rising Tides, has been published.-References:...
. The six books in the series so far are Into The Storm
Into The Storm (book)
Into The Storm is the first book of the Destroyermen series. A series of alternate history novels by Taylor Anderson. The main character of the series is the four-stacker USS Walker , which in this series is part of the United States Asiatic Fleet, and being pursued by the Japanese battlecruiser...
, Crusade
Crusade (book)
In Crusade, the second book of the Destroyermen series,Reddy, and the crew of USS Walker , are reunited with the destroyer USS Mahan , and set out to fight the Grik. Reddy and Walkers marine detachment, continue training the Lemurians to defend themselves and take the war to the Grik...
, Maelstrom
Maelstrom (book)
Maelstrom is the third book of the Destroyermen series by author Taylor Anderson. Captain Matthew Reddy, the crew of the Walker and their Lemurian allies, have won several battles against the Grik, a loathsome race of cannibilistic lizards engaged in a war of genocide against the sea-going lemur...
, Distant Thunders, Rising Tides
Rising Tides (book)
Rising Tides is the fifth book of the Destroyermen series. A series of alternate history novels by Taylor Anderson. The increasing popularity of the series put this book on the New York Times Bestseller list.-Plot Synopsis:...
, and the most recent book Firestorm.
The books chronicle the adventures of the crews of the destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Walker (DD-163)
USS Walker (DD-163)
The first USS Walker was a Wickes class destroyer that saw service in the United States Navy during World War I. She was named for Admiral John Grimes Walker.-History:...
and the Japanese battlecruiser Amagi, in the early stages of the War in the Pacific
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, being transported to an alternate Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. This earth is the same geographically as the one they left, but evolution took a different turn eons ago.
Into The Storm
In Into The Storm, the story begins during the Second Battle of the Java SeaSecond Battle of the Java Sea
The Second Battle of the Java Sea was the last naval action of the Netherlands East Indies campaign, of 1941–1942. It occurred on 1 March 1942, two days after the first Battle of the Java Sea...
. The destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Walker (DD-163)
USS Walker (DD-163)
The first USS Walker was a Wickes class destroyer that saw service in the United States Navy during World War I. She was named for Admiral John Grimes Walker.-History:...
is a destroyer of the United States Asiatic Fleet
United States Asiatic Fleet
The United States Asiatic Fleet was part of the U.S. Navy. Preceding the World War II era, until 1942, the fleet protected the Philippines.Originally the Asiatic Squadron, it was upgraded to fleet status in 1902. In 1907, the fleet became the First Squadron of the Pacific Fleet. However, on 28...
, commanded by Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Matthew Reddy. The Walker was a part of the surviving ABDACOM fleet, consisting of the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Exeter
HMS Exeter (68)
HMS Exeter was a York class heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy that served in World War II. She was laid down on 1 August 1928 at the Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth, Devon. She was launched on 18 July 1929 and completed on 27 July 1931...
, HMS Encounter
HMS Encounter (H10)
HMS Encounter was an E-class destroyer of the Royal Navy before and during World War II, serving in home waters and in the Norwegian Campaign, before joining the Mediterranean Fleet and serving on the Malta Convoys, and then in the Eastern Fleet until sunk by Japanese warships in the Second Battle...
, and the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
destroyers Pope
USS Pope
USS Pope may refer to:, a Clemson-class destroyer, commissioned in 1920 and sunk in battle in 1942., an Edsall-class destroyer escort, commissioned in 1943 and decommissioned in 1946., a troop transport which saw service during World War II and later as a commercial freighter....
, and Mahan
USS Mahan (DD-102)
The first USS Mahan was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I and later designated, DM-7, in the years following. She was named in honor of Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan.-History:...
, all of which were fleeing from Japanese Naval forces. However, the Japanese forces closed range, and opened up on the small Allied fleet. The Exeter took a major hit, and ordered the remaining four destroyers to leave the crippled Cruiser.
The destroyers were systematically sunk, starting with the Encounter, followed by the Pope shortly thereafter just as happened in the real naval battle. The surviving Destroyers, Walker and Mahan then encountered the Japanese battlecruiser Amagi. Seeing no other option, Lieutenant Commander Reddy commanded the pair of destroyers to stage a torpedo attack, which sinks an accompanying destroyer, and badly damages the battlecrusier, before the ships were enveloped in a freak squall, and transported to an alternate world, where humans never evolved.
There are two races, the Lemurians, evolved giant lemurs from Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, who are peaceful farmers and fishermen, and live on huge oceangoing houseboats called Homes. Walker's captain, Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Matthew Reddy, meets with the Lemurian leadership, and forms an alliance with them to fight the other race, the Grik, who are at war with the Lemurians. The Grik are possible descendants of the dinosaur, Velociraptors.
Crusade
In the second book, Crusade, Reddy, and the crew of Walker, are training the Lemurians how to fight. The Amagi is now under Grik control, and her captain is half-mad.Maelstrom
By Maelstrom, Reddy, his crew, and their Lemurian allies, are fighting the Grik. By Distant Thunders, the tide is turning.Firestorm
Firestorm is book 6 of the series.The 6th volume in the series follows the Growing threat from the 'Dominion', a Grik / Jap Superweapon, and the arrival of more ships through the 'Squall', including a Japanese destroyer...