Running Deep

Bravery, Survival, and the True Story of the Deadliest Submarine in World War II

De: Tom Clavin

Narrado por: George Newbern

The true story of the deadliest submarine in World War II and the courageous captain who survived torture and imprisonment at the hands of the enemy.

There was one submarine that outfought all other boats in the Silent Service in World War II: the USS Tang. Captain Richard Hetherington O’Kane commanded the attack submarine that sunk more tonnage, rescued more downed aviators, and successfully completed more surface attacks than any other American submarine. These undersea predators were the first to lead the offensive rebound against the Japanese, but at great cost: Submariners would have six times the mortality rate as the sailors who manned surface ships.

The Tang achieved its greatest success on October 24, 1944, when it took on an entire Japanese convoy and destroyed it. But its 24th and last torpedo boomeranged, returning to strike the Tang. Mortally wounded, the boat sunk, coming to rest on the bottom, 180 feet down. After hours of struggle, nine of the 87 crewmen, including O’Kane, made it to the surface.

Captured by the Japanese, the Tang sailors joined other submariners and flyers – including Louis Zamperini and “Pappy” Boyington – at a “torture camp” whose purpose was to gain vital information from inmates and otherwise let them die from malnutrition, disease, and abuse. A special target was Captain O’Kane after the Japanese learned of the headlines about the Tang. Against all odds, when the camp was liberated in August 1945, O’Kane, at only 90 pounds, still lived. The following January, Richard O’Kane limped into the White House where President Truman bestowed him with the Medal of Honor.

This is the true story of death and survival in the high seas—and of the submarine and her brave captain who would become legends.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

Reseñas de la Crítica

<p><b>Praise for Tom Clavin and<i> Running Deep</i>:<br></b><br>“A well-written, solid effort in which Clavin brings home the harsh reality of life onboard submarines and the horrors of war.” —<i>Booklist</i><br><br>“Bestseller Clavin offers a lively rendition of the storied career of the USS Tang and its captain, Richard Hetherington O’Kane … Clavin provides a bounty of backstory on submarine warfare, with side excursions into other famous subs and their fates. The result is an entertaining account of daring exploits in the deep.” —<i>Publishers Weekly</i><br><br>"The entire cowboy-outlaw era, which reached its climax in 1897 and ended around 1905, comes vividly alive in this kaleidoscopic work ... countless other instances of robbing, stealing and retribution, are woven splendidly into this rousing saga of the closing years of the outlaw epoch of the American West." —<i>Wall Street Journal </i>on<i> Bandit Heaven<br></i><br>"Buchenwald was the place no allied airman was supposed to wind up—but they did. In this priceless eyewitness history, one of WWII’s most incredible stories has finally found its teller. <i>Lightning Down</i> is a riveting read that will leave you with a cold shiver." —Adam Makos, author of the<i> NY Times</i> bestseller <i>A Higher Call<br><br></i>“With a former newsman’s nose for the truth, Clavin has sifted the facts, myths, and lies to produce what might be as accurate an account as we will ever get of the old West’s most famous feud.” —<i>Associated Press </i>on<i> Tombstone</i></p>

Outstanding WWII book about the “silent service “

5 Stars — A Riveting Dive into the Silent Service

Running Deep by Tom Clavin is one of those history books that grabs you right away and keeps you turning the pages far past bedtime. I went in knowing very little about U.S. submarine warfare in WWII, and came out absolutely fascinated—and a bit stunned—by the courage, ingenuity, and sheer luck involved in the U.S. silent service.

Clavin begins with a brisk and surprisingly entertaining overview of the early days of submarine design, reaching all the way back to colonial America. (Yes, we actually tried to use an attack sub against the British. No, it did not go according to plan. Thankfully the technology—and the tactics—got a whole lot better!)

But the real heart of the book is the story of the USS Tang, the most successful American submarine of World War II, and her legendary commander, Captain Richard O’Kane. Clavin brings their patrols to life with cinematic clarity. Under O’Kane’s leadership, the Tang sank over 30 Japanese ships—an astonishing record. Their streak only ended because of a tragic twist: a faulty torpedo malfunctioned after firing and circled back to hit the Tang herself. Out of 87 crew members, only nine survived. A miracle, but also the beginning of a nightmare.

The final third of the book is harrowing but essential reading. The surviving crew members were captured, tortured, and starved in an illegal Japanese POW camp. Clavin writes with great compassion and restraint, showing both the horror and the resilience of these men. Captain O’Kane lost 80 pounds during his captivity and endured repeated torture—yet all nine Tang survivors lived through the war. O’Kane was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership and heroism.

For me, this book was both educational and emotionally gripping. I knew almost nothing about submarine warfare before picking it up; now I find myself wanting to dive much deeper (pun intended) into this corner of WWII history. Clavin writes with a clarity and narrative drive that makes complex naval operations accessible and thrilling.

If you’re interested in military history—or even if you’re not—Running Deep is an excellent, highly readable account of an incredible crew, a remarkable commander, and a chapter of WWII that deserves to be far better known.

I can’t wait to read more of Tom Clavin’s work.

Superb story of undersea warfare and the men who fought it

The author brings to like the men who fought and survived terrible hardship and challenges.

Great Coverage of Those Who Served Below the Waves

It was very good coverage of WWII submarine operations. Citing sources would help further research.

Where was the USS Tang?

The story is 95% stories about submarines and submarine warfare history and 5% about the USS Tang. Couldn't finish it, the story just dragged on before it even started.

Missed the mark.

So many mispronounced words it was painful to listen to over and over. Lacked focus in my humble opinion as well.