Looking for a good WW2 sub book!

[fastfed]

I read a USS Sub book a while back, it was short stories and about 20 of them..

It was really a great book but I forgot what it was called (it was non fiction)

Is there anything out there that might be a complete story? Fiction or non, I don't care.

What about Red Storm Rising?

I never read it, but is it all submarine or just part of it is?

Thanks ALL!

[red_scope]

Personally, I think you can`t go very wrong with red storm rising...brilliant!!
There is some sub action, but you get it all in this book, from awesome air attacks and duels to amphibious landings to war torn Germany that is holding the line against the countless Soviet tanks, CV group action, International intrigue....it`s all there and very compelling.

My fav WW2 submarine book is - With Blood and Iron by Douglas Reeman. Brings tears to my eyes everytime...you can just smell the diesel fumes in this book, and the desperate fight for survival for Wolfpack Meteor. :cool:

[Skunkito]

I read this years ago and loved it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Iron-Coffins-Commanders-Military-Paperbacks/dp/0304353302

And if you like a view from the destroyer perspective, then you can't beat this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cruel-Sea-Penguin-World-Collection/dp/0141042834/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281993293&sr=1-1

[sharkbit]

It was really a great book but I forgot what it was called (it was non fiction)




Edward L. Beach's "Submarine" perhaps?

Try his "Run Silent, Run Deep", "Dust on the Sea", and "Cold is the Sea" trilogy. They're fiction but very realistic. The first two take place in WWII, the last in the cold war.

There's a bunch more out there, US fleet boats and U-boats:
"Clear the Bridge" and "Wahoo" Richard O'Kane.
"Das Boot"
"Iron Coffins" Herbert Werner-take his "true story" book with a grain of salt.

Those came to mind first, but there's a ton more out there.

:)

[Sailor Steve]

IAnd if you like a view from the destroyer perspective, then you can't beat this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cruel-Sea-Penguin-World-Collection/dp/0141042834/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281993293&sr=1-1
If you're a fan of that one, then you might also be interested in his collection of short stories, including his accounts written during the war and ending with the true story of his experiences, including the name of the real corvette he served on:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=342819&postcount=90

[Jimbuna]

When it comes to US subs I've always rated the book by Clay Blair - Silent Victory

[FIREWALL]

Try Uboat.net to give you a list of Kplt's.

Google the one you pick to see if he has a biography.

Alot of them put out a book.

[nikimcbee]

When it comes to US subs I've always rated the book by Clay Blair - Silent Victory
:yeah:+1

If you are interested in the flip side, I-Boat captain is good.

http://www.amazon.com/I-Boat-Captain-Zenji-Orita/dp/B000OFNW6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282065897&sr=8-1

[raymond6751]

I read a good one a few years back. It was either called
Britain's U-Boat or

England's U-Boat

The true story is about a captured U-boat that was refurbished and sent out by the British to test the capabilities.

[Takeda Shingen]

When it comes to US subs I've always rated the book by Clay Blair - Silent Victory

:up: Silent Victory is, more or less, the standard bearer in the subject.

[The Third Man]

What about Red Storm Rising?

I never read it, but is it all submarine or just part of it is?

Thanks ALL!


Just part of it is submarine but as I remember Clancy does a good job of integrating the action in the air, on the surface, and under the sea.

His second book under the Naval Press publisher and it is good.

[elanaiba]

http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Bridge-Patrols-U-S-S-Tang/dp/0891415734/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282133284&sr=8-1

Very good book - non fiction - by a brilliant sub commander.

A real eye opener for me.

[Jimbuna]

http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Bridge-Patrols-U-S-S-Tang/dp/0891415734/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282133284&sr=8-1

Very good book - non fiction - by a brilliant sub commander.

A real eye opener for me.

I'm tempted Dan....would you say it is as good as Silent Victory?

[Neptunus Rex]

War Beneath the Sea
Submarine Conflict During World War II

Peter Padfield
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
1995
ISBN 0-471-14624-2

:up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up:

[sharkbit]

War Beneath the Sea
Submarine Conflict During World War II

Peter Padfield
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
1995
ISBN 0-471-14624-2

:up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up::up:

I'll second that. :yeah:
It sat on my bookshelf quite a while before I got around to reading it, but I've read it cover to cover twice in the last two and half years and have gone back and referenced various sections as well.

It's a pretty thick book but he covers all nationalities. He concentrates on the U-boat offensive but there is alot about the US submarine campaign and very nice coverage of the British submarine campaign. There's even a smattering of stuff about Japanese boats.

He covers each nation's design philosophies as well as tactical doctrine with plenty of details of famous and not so famous commanders.

Well worth the read.

:)

[Sailor Steve]

I'm tempted Dan....would you say it is as good as Silent Victory?
Anything by O'Kane is worth reading. Blair's books provide an overview, O'Kane is a very good writer and he was there.

[elanaiba]

Blair's books provide an overview, O'Kane is a very good writer and he was there.

Agree with Steve. O'Kane is very analytical and good on technical and tactical details. You get to read a lot of what went through his head in planning for an attack or a section of his patrol, and not much was left to chance.

Somehow, after reading Clair's book I got a bad feeling about US submarines: basically the first part of the war they were poorly used strategically, were not aggressive enough and had lots of technical troubles. And then they wipe out the Japs merchant fleet in one year - it felt like something was missing.

Reading O'Kane and the "Wolfpack - the American submarine strategy that helped defeat Japan" opened my eyes in that the first clearly illustrates how good a sub captain can be and the 2nd tells the history of "getting there" and how much the Americans were trying, while maybe failing.

I never lacked respect for the US Submarine Service, but now its double ;)

[Jimbuna]

Rgr that guys....I'll have a gander for the book http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

[Neptunus Rex]

Anything by O'Kane is worth reading. Blair's books provide an overview, O'Kane is a very good writer and he was there.

O'Kane is a favorite. A few years ago the wife found a first edition hard cover signed by Rear Admiral O'Kane.

[Zoomer96]

If you are looking for fiction, here are some good Fleetboat books:

Run Silent, Run Deep
Dust on the Sea
Cold is the Sea

Final Harbor
Silent Sea
O God of Battles

Pride Runs Deep
Sink the Shigure

Bacalao

If you like Uboats:

Das Boot
An Honorable German
With Honour in Battle


As you can see, I am more of a Fleet Boat reader! But these are all very good books.

[Jimbuna]

Here are two I got for a song whilst on holiday last week from a bookshop in The Lake District of all places.

The first one I wasn't sure if I already had but thankfully I didn't.

U-Boat War Patrol-The Hidden Photographic Diary of U-564 by Lawrence Paterson

http://www.amazon.co.uk/U-boat-War-Patrol-Hidden-Photographic/dp/1861762879/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283869551&sr=8-2

The Golden Horseshoe-The Story Of Otto Kretschmer by Terence Robertson

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0752420194/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&qid=1283869921&sr=1-13&condition=all

Pay little attention to the price, I paid £4.99 for a brand new copy.

[frau kaleun]

Here are two I got for a song whilst on holiday last week from a bookshop in The Lake District of all places.

The first one I wasn't sure if I already had but thankfully I didn't.

U-Boat War Patrol-The Hidden Photographic Diary of U-564 by Lawrence Paterson

http://www.amazon.co.uk/U-boat-War-Patrol-Hidden-Photographic/dp/1861762879/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283869551&sr=8-2

The Golden Horseshoe-The Story Of Otto Kretschmer by Terence Robertson

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0752420194/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&qid=1283869921&sr=1-13&condition=all

Pay little attention to the price, I paid £4.99 for a brand new copy.

I can also recommend the first one - a great read plus all the pictures really make the narrative come alive. IIRC these are the pics that someone found in one of the French u-boat bases after the Allies retook them, and whoever found them kept them packed away for several decades before they ever saw the light of day again. Just the story of how they were identified and the book came to be, is a pretty interesting tale.

Still haven't read the Kretschmer bio, but I'm sure it's on my wish list.

[Jimbuna]

I can also recommend the first one - a great read plus all the pictures really make the narrative come alive. IIRC these are the pics that someone found in one of the French u-boat bases after the Allies retook them, and whoever found them kept them packed away for several decades before they ever saw the light of day again. Just the story of how they were identified and the book came to be, is a pretty interesting tale.

Still haven't read the Kretschmer bio, but I'm sure it's on my wish list.

Keep this post of yours in the back of your mind because I'll be posing a small trivia question in a day or two :03:

[Zoomer96]

Good Lord! The price at Amazon for that book ranges from $124.50 used to $498.00 new! I'll have to wait for that one to come down a bit. It looks like a very good read though!!

[frau kaleun]

Good Lord! The price at Amazon for that book ranges from $124.50 used to $498.00 new! I'll have to wait for that one to come down a bit. It looks like a very good read though!!

Which one, the Kretschmer bio? I seem to remember it being pretty pricey when I first looked at it... prolly why I don't have it yet.

I'm still hoping to get Erich Topp's book - last time I checked it was just over $100 US. Maybe I'll buy it for myself for Christmas.

[Jimbuna]

Good Lord! The price at Amazon for that book ranges from $124.50 used to $498.00 new! I'll have to wait for that one to come down a bit. It looks like a very good read though!!

Someone is obviously out to get rich quick...as you can see I paid £4.99, the original UK price being £7.99 and the US being $12.99.

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/5978/1005i.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/1005i.jpg/)
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3186/1006dm.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/1006dm.jpg/)

[Penguin]

Topp's book could be a bit of a disappointment if you want to read about his time in WW2, most of the book covers the years after the war. I also don't like his self-righteous style of writing, but that's my personal opinion.
I am astonished that nobody mentioned Reinhard "Teddy" Suhren's memories: http://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Suhren-Memoirs-U-boat-Rebel/dp/1591148510/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284033687&sr=8-1
I only read it in German, so I can't tell how the translation is, but I think it's definitely worth reading (and cheaper than Topp's book too)

So do all people agree that Blair's book is the best to get an overview about the Pacific theatre? IMO his books about the Battle of the Atlantic are one of the best books which give an detailed and well researched overwiew. As I remember he was also a submariner, but "Silent Victory" covers the whole pacific war not his own experiences, right?

I will definitely check out O'Kane, as I always like memoirs from people who present their personal experiences.

[Jimbuna]

So do all people agree that Blair's book is the best to get an overview about the Pacific theatre? IMO his books about the Battle of the Atlantic are one of the best books which give an detailed and well researched overwiew. As I remember he was also a submariner, but "Silent Victory" covers the whole pacific war not his own experiences, right?



I agree with you on Blairs Battle of the Atlantic and yes, Ilent Victory is about the PTO and not of his own personal experiences.

I have all three books.

[frau kaleun]

Someone is obviously out to get rich quick...as you can see I paid £4.99, the original UK price being £7.99 and the US being $12.99.

[/URL]
[URL="http://img709.imageshack.us/i/1006dm.jpg/"] (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/1005i.jpg/)

Amazon.com has it listed now for anywhere from less than $1 US (used) to around $55 US (new). All from third party sellers though, I guess it's out of print?

[frau kaleun]

Topp's book could be a bit of a disappointment if you want to read about his time in WW2, most of the book covers the years after the war. I also don't like his self-righteous style of writing, but that's my personal opinion.

I'm aware that it's not just a "WWII memoir" so no worries there. :DL


I am astonished that nobody mentioned Reinhard "Teddy" Suhren's memories: http://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Suhren-Memoirs-U-boat-Rebel/dp/1591148510/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284033687&sr=8-1
I only read it in German, so I can't tell how the translation is, but I think it's definitely worth reading

I have it, it's okay but the style (at least in the English translation) took a little getting used to for me personally. I didn't find it as thoughtful or memorable as, say, Ali Cremer's autobiography but it probably does give one a pretty good feel for Suhren's personality.

[fastfed]

I agree with you on Blairs Battle of the Atlantic and yes, Ilent Victory is about the PTO and not of his own personal experiences.

I have all three books.


I just ordered "Silent Victory" After I finish that, I would like to get this battle of atlantic by Blair.. But I don't see it anywhere.. Just "Hitlers u boat war"

[Jimbuna]

I just ordered "Silent Victory" After I finish that, I would like to get this battle of atlantic by Blair.. But I don't see it anywhere.. Just "Hitlers u boat war"

They are one and the same:

Hitlers U-Boat War vol 1 The Hunters http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hitlers-U-Boat-War-Clay-Blair/dp/0394588398/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284818556&sr=8-1

vol 2 The Hunted http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hitlers-U-Boat-War-Hunted-1942-45/dp/0304352616/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284818556&sr=8-5

[sharkbit]

They are one and the same:

Hitlers U-Boat War vol 1 The Hunters http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hitlers-U-Boat-War-Clay-Blair/dp/0394588398/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284818556&sr=8-1

vol 2 The Hunted http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hitlers-U-Boat-War-Hunted-1942-45/dp/0304352616/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284818556&sr=8-5

I see Amazon is pretty proud of Volume 2 across the pond as well as over here in the States. :nope:

:)

[Jimbuna]

I see Amazon is pretty proud of Volume 2 across the pond as well as over here in the States. :nope:

:)

Yeah...I've never understood the disparity in prices :hmmm:

[Sledgehammer427]

Operation Drumbeat by Michael Gannon.
The only copy I've seen was at a local library

[Penguin]

Operation Drumbeat by Michael Gannon.


Haven't read this one, but I can recommend "Black May" by the same author - about mai '43 and the beginning of the end of the u-boat war.


Yeah...I've never understood the disparity in prices :hmmm:

just a question of demand - once you have read the first book you also want the second one. It took me some months to find the latter at a reasonable price on ebay.

[Jimbuna]

just a question of demand - once you have read the first book you also want the second one. It took me some months to find the latter at a reasonable price on ebay.

Yeah that might well be the case :hmmm: