• The Bravest Man

  • The Story of Richard O'Kane & U.S. Submariners in the Pacific War
  • By: William Tuohy
  • Narrated by: E.H. Jones
  • Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (491 ratings)

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The Bravest Man  By  cover art

The Bravest Man

By: William Tuohy
Narrated by: E.H. Jones
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Publisher's summary

“There’s no margin for mistakes in submarines. You’re either alive or dead.” (Richard O’Kane)

Hailed as the ace of aces, captain Richard O’Kane, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his consummate skill and heroism as a submarine skipper, sank more enemy ships and saved more downed fliers than anyone else.

Now Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Tuohy captures all the danger, the terror, and the pulse-pounding action of undersea combat as he chronicles O’Kane’s wartime career - from his valiant service as executive officer under Wahoo skipper Dudley “Mush” Morton to his electrifying patrols as commander of the USS Tang and his incredible escape, with eight other survivors, after Tang was sunk by its own defective torpedo.

Above all, The Bravest Man is the dramatic story of mavericks who broke the rules and set the pace to become a new breed of hunter/killer submariners who waged a unique brand of warfare. These undersea warriors would blaze their own path to victory - and transform the “Silent Service” into the deadliest fighting force in the Pacific.

©2001 William Tuohy (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

What listeners say about The Bravest Man

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great WW2 history

This is a great story much like Silent Running. Silent Running is a more personal account of the war in the Pacific and this talks more about the war and command.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

I sincerely enjoyed this book. It had very good detail and presented a great look at the history of this true hero.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding!!!!

Yes this book delivers an untold story of fighting men in the second war world while helping the reader understand dedication, leadership and war. It comes across as a story about one man's experience; but then goes into leadership and organizational change during a difficult time the history of the United States. If you want to mix up a book on leadership with an aventure story, THIS YOUR BOOK!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really good

A really good book about the submarine service during WWII and some seriously brave men. Narrator was very good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting real life action

This book along with "Silent Running" by James Calvert is the best real life WWII submarine tales ever written, better even than "Run Silent Run Deep". The war patrols that Mr. Tuohy went on were action packed and thrilling, but to then realize that it is all true makes it all the more intense. The vogues of the USS Tang are legendary and unequaled in submarine history but more to the point they are edge of the seat exciting. This is a book that is truly enjoyable plus you learn some valuable history. This is a wonderful listen. 5 stars.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story about an American Naval Hero.

Great book! Well written, however, when " performing" a story about submarines, it is important to pronounce "submariner" correctly. It is sub"mariner" as surface sailors are called, not like their Naval brother Marines. Other than a few other mispronounced Pacific Islands, it is well done.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great

Overall very good. Some pronunciation errors but the reader helped bring the book to life.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, but narrative drifted

This was a great story, but the narrative drifted from time to time like tidal eddies. Also, the narrator's mispronunciation of some words (such as Admiral Spruance's name) left me gagging. Great listen, though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Untold great story

I had no clue about O’Kane and his boat’s story. If you only listen to one
WW2 sub story this is the best! It has it all.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

exceptional

about a war, a person, and submarine life and tactics. read it 3 times now.

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