"The battle of Leyte Gulf was the greatest naval battle in modern history. This book is a detailed and comprehensive account of the fighting from both sides on 24-25 October 1944. It provides the context of the battle, most obviously in terms of Japanese calculations and the search for "a fitting place to die" and "the chance to bloom as flowers of death," as well as a comprehensive discussion of the events leading up to and following the battle." "Using Japanese material never previously noted in western accounts, H.P. Willmott provides new perspectives on the unfolding of the battle and deliberately seeks to give readers a proper understanding of the importance of this battle for American naval operations in the following month. The book also deals with such vexed questions as the conduct and decisions of the fleet commanders, Halsey and Kurita, during this battle and raises questions that are certain to provoke controversy."--Jacket.