Synopsis
"Andrew Higgins and the Boats That Landed Victory in World War II" is a book written by Jerry E. Strahan that chronicles the life and work of Andrew Higgins, a businessman and inventor who played a crucial role in the Allied victory in World War II.
Higgins was the founder and owner of Higgins Industries, a company based in New Orleans that specialized in the manufacture of amphibious landing craft. His boats, known as "Higgins boats," were instrumental in the success of the D-Day invasion and other amphibious operations in the Pacific theater of the war.
The book explores Higgins' background, including his upbringing in Nebraska and his early business ventures, before delving into the development of the Higgins boat and the impact it had on the war effort. Strahan also examines Higgins' relationships with military and political leaders, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the challenges he faced in securing contracts and funding for his company.
Throughout the book, Strahan highlights Higgins' ingenuity and determination, as well as his flaws and controversies. He also provides a broader context for Higgins' story, exploring the social and economic conditions of mid-20th-century America and the impact of World War II on the country and the world.