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Loading... Thunder Below!: The USS Barb Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II (original 1992; edition 1992)by Admiral Eugene B. FluckeyThe fascinating story of the most accomplished submarine in the Pacific in World War II, written by its captain. The story itself is thrilling, and improbable and daring in that special way only history can be. Yet as much as it gains from being written by an actual eye-witness, it loses from the author being a bit dry and probably inexperienced at writing. Still, a fascinating tale. I would give it three stars on its own. But reading it after reading "Das Boot" makes for such a striking contrast that it elevates the book to four stars. In Das Boot the author is a crewman who perceives submarine warfare as terrifying and feels small in the face of the forces of nature. Thunder Below's narrator could not be more different: as the caption, the ocean is a playground, and enemy action a game to be won. Two very different viewpoints that somehow strengthen each other in a way neither can on their own. This is an outstanding account of the author's five triumphant patrols in the USS Barb in the Pacific in 1944 and 1945. The intensity of the account at times rivals fiction. One is filled with admiration for the superb technical knowledge and effective leadership of the author as a sub commander. He lost not a man while commanding the sub despite the very aggressive and gung-ho manner in which he pursued the enemy. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, despite his position that only dead people should get that. An outstanding book on a brilliant career. No doubt about it, this is the absolute BEST American submarine account out there that I have read. Usually I tell folks if you want an exciting submarine warfare book you need to read the German stuff, but now I finally have an American account to recommend. This guy had b$^ls that clanked and knew when and how to push things to the brink. Get it, read it, you will LOVE it!!! |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)940.54History and Geography Europe Europe 1918- Military History Of World War IILC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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