One of the actions of the American Navy in WWII was the creation of the tens of types of transport and and landing craft. These were relatively humble vessels, but they were often exposed to serious dangers. Kenneth Dodson served on aa attack transport whose job was to drop landing craft loaded with soldiers and supplies at the optimum distance to carry their cargoes ashore and then return for further loads. This was done under enemy fire on occasion, and there was an appreciable damage and sinking rate. The book reads well, and leads to an understanding of the complexities and pressures of an opposed landing on hostile shores. No amphibious warfare fan should avid this book. ( )

5268. Away All Boats A Novel by Kenneth Dodson (read 20 Apr 2015) This novel is I think historically correct in regard to the naval actions which the fictional attack transport Belinda engages in. The action certainly is exciting and seems very realistic. The author had to have been in actions such as he depicts. The captains of the Belinda are very regulation conscious--I had thought in wartime there would not ordinarily be such rigorous formality. But maybe it makes for a better story, and maybe the author was resentful of captains he endured. One certainly has to admire the work of the Navy men described and one cannot help but empathize with them. But it does not have the plot which made a book like The Caine Mutiny so compelling and so I cannot say it is a naval story which made one eager to keep reading. ( )

I read this on amazon thought it was a good discription.

"Kenneth Dodson poured a lifetime of seagoing experience into Away All Boats. Away All Boats is a story that will leave you feeling as tired as McDougal and the other men of the fictional U.S.S. Belinda. It's a strong story of teamwork, loyalty and people faced with challenges beyond human endurance. It's also a true picture of what life was like aboard a Navy attack transport. In fact, this book has long been required reading at the Naval Academy for it's accurate picture of amphibious warfare." ( )