Alex Kershaw is widely praised for his enthralling nonfiction. In this harrowing war saga, he recounts the incredible story of the U.S. Navy's deadliest World War II submarine, the USS Tang. Across the Pacific theater, dodging mines and depth charges, the 80 men of the Tang became legends. By 1944, they had sunk more Japanese ships than any other Allied submarine.
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"A truely riveting book. Once I started reading this a couldn't stop reading it. This is the true story of perhaps the most highly decorated submarine in the US Navy and it couragious crew. On it's 5th patrol it's last torpedo malfunctions and turns on it with 87 men on board. Read about the harrowing escape and subsequent torture by the Japanese."
— Jeff (5 out of 5 stars)
" Wow! I haven't read a page-turning book about WWII in some time. This is a very well researched amazing story. It opens quite a few doors to other topics/books that are within the book. I can't wait to read Kershaw's other works now. "
— Amanda, 2/10/2014" Interesting as always to learn about the experiences of "the greatest generation" in World War II. Sad to think how few of them are left. "
— Ellen, 1/6/2014" I'm obviously not much of a non-fiction person, but my boyfriend gave me this book after he finished it and I ended up being utterly addicted to it! A great book for history fanatics and submarine afficianados alike. Highly recommended. "
— Maggie, 12/29/2013" True story of only American submarine in WWII to sink and yield survivors. "
— Ellen, 12/24/2013" Another amazing story of survival during WWII, about the nine guys who survived the sinking of the USS Tang, which went down courtesy of her own torpedo in 1944. Amazing bravery, amazing endurance, amazing mental toughness. "
— Bruce, 12/10/2013" Good, not great. A very interesting story if you have the time. "
— Jen, 11/19/2013" A well written history of the sinking and survival of the crew of the USS Tang, this book has all the elements of a great sea story. "
— Mark, 10/17/2013" Men from the "greatest generation" doing what it takes. A good book and a page turner. "
— Carol, 9/23/2013" A fascinating story about living through an impossible nightmare. I enjoyed it and thought it was good, but not quite as well done as hillenbrand's unbreakable. "
— Colleen, 9/20/2013" Solid and interesting account of the USS TANG and its crew on its last two submarine patrols, the final one into the Formosa Strait, and the experience of nine survivor as POWs in Japan. "
— Jim, 7/23/2013" Captivating story of the discovery of a sunken submarine and the search for the victims families. If it weren't for the fact that story jumps around too much and isn't always cohesive I might give this 5 stars. "
— Cathy, 7/22/2013" A true story of a submarine crew during WWII--an engrossing, fast read "
— Pat, 6/3/2013" This was a fantastic history lesson. I'm not a big fan of reading history but this one caught my attention and reminded me of all the heros of World War II. "
— Pete, 1/30/2013" Good story of a really exciting, dramatic submarine accident during World War II. I had never heard about the story of the U.S.S. Tang before now. Not much to the writing, but it definitely held my interest. "
— Tom, 8/19/2012" And I alway thought Tang had something to do with space. This is a really excellent survival story from WWII. "
— Bill, 3/17/2012" Excellent, exciting, true story about the submarine USS Tang, and how 9 of her crew survived a hit from one of her own torpedoes! "
— Dave, 1/28/2012" I loved this book. It was like DeMille's Mayday only non-fiction. It was so engaging as an audiobook. "
— Wendy, 11/9/2011" Why had I never heard this amazing story of the submarine Tang. Incredibly successful in WWII in sinking Japanese ships, she was tragically hit by one of her own torpedos and sunk. How anyone escaped was a miracle : and the first time anyone did. "
— Rebecca, 8/31/2011" nonfiction - 1944, a U.S. submarine torpedo malfunctioned and hit its own ship; only half the crew survived; only 9 escaped the ruins and lived "
— Patty, 2/28/2011" Good, but not epic, story. The writeup makes it sound very tense and thrilling, but I didn't find it so. Not particularly well written. "
— Brigid, 11/5/2010" I loved this book. It was like DeMille's Mayday only non-fiction. It was so engaging as an audiobook. "
— Wendy, 10/27/2010" Good book. Amazing how many stories there are from World War 2 that no one has any clue about. Amazing how these guys survived and what they went thru. "
— Brad, 9/20/2010" Nearly unbelievable true account of an amazing submarine escape during WWII. A quick read, alternately chilling, inspiring, and bittersweet. "
— Jules, 8/10/2010" Another amazing story of survival during WWII, about the nine guys who survived the sinking of the USS Tang, which went down courtesy of her own torpedo in 1944. Amazing bravery, amazing endurance, amazing mental toughness. "
— Bruce, 8/3/2010" An amazing story of the Tang submarine, and her nine surviving crew. The human will to survive is examined in following the lives of these men as they first escape their torpedoed ship, then somehow endure the depravity of Japanese captors. "
— Carla, 6/29/2010" Captivating story of the discovery of a sunken submarine and the search for the victims families. If it weren't for the fact that story jumps around too much and isn't always cohesive I might give this 5 stars. "
— Cathy, 5/19/2010" True story of only American submarine in WWII to sink and yield survivors. "
— Ellen, 3/22/2010" It was alright. I wasn't really connected to any of the men. This is a nonfiction book and the author just took their statements and what happened and put it into a book. It is an interesting story, but its not set like a story. More like a documentary. "
— Jenkunz, 2/18/2010" Good story of a really exciting, dramatic submarine accident during World War II. I had never heard about the story of the U.S.S. <em>Tang</em> before now. Not much to the writing, but it definitely held my interest. "
— Tom, 1/11/2010Alex Kershaw is the British author of several popular books about World War II, most notably the New York Times bestsellers The Longest Winter and The Bedford Boys. Previously, Kershaw has been a writer at the Guardian, Independent, and Sunday Times and has worked in television, writing and producing an award-winning documentary on Bobby Kennedy. Along with his other nonfiction work, Kershaw is also an accomplished biographer. He currently lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Richard Poe, a professional actor for more than thirty years, has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including 1776 and M. Butterfly. On television he has had recurring roles on Star Trek and Frasier. His films include Born on the Fourth of July and Presumed Innocent. Poe is a well-known and prolific audiobook performer and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.