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

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.

Remarkably Heroic Story

A submariner in an age of of heroism. This was a great story of all that can be accomplished here. There are real lessons to be learned here.

The Bravest Man

This is an excellent book that "listens" easily. I had no background on the undersea war and found the book to be fascinating. I enjoyed the reader and the writing style of the author. You will walk away from this book with a much greater appreciation for what submariners endured---- they truly were a different breed. You will also gain an appreciation for the evolving technology --- how early undersea weapons were scandalously unreliable and how the "skippers" fought to get better torpedos with which to accomplish their mission----to sink enemy shipping. Great book!!

I didn't want to stop listening!

this was such a great story, and so well told. I looked forward to getting in my vehicle and driving to work every day to listen to this. if you are looking for an incredible WWII book, or an incredible submarine book, get this... you won't be disappointed!

Loved listening to this book

Such great stories, interesting facts I didn’t previously know, and all placed in context to give an overall understanding of the submarines and submarine warfare during WWII. A celebration of the individuals and service well worth listening to. The reader has an excellent voice and cadence.

Excellent book!

Illustrates the true heroism of the Greatest Generation. The Silent Service and the men who served in it are truly special.

Brave people in those boats

Enjoyed this book. Also read the two books by O’Kane himself on the war patrols of the Wahoo and the Tang. Liked the honest discussion of Mush Morton, as well. Morton was technical advisor on the movie “Destination Tokyo” while at Mare Island if you are interested in what this warfare looked like from inside the submarines. US submarines quickly killed many Japanese ships and the thousands of people in them—including a sizable proportion of the US prisoners who died while in the custody of the Japanese.

Great details of WWII Submarine Patrols

This is the best book I have read about submarine operations in WWII. If you are interested in what it must have been like to risk your life every day this is a book you should read.

I have served on Nuclear Subs and have looked for good descriptions of just how the Subs did what they did in WWII. This gives you all those details.

Captain O'Kane is truly the best of the "war time" skippers and was able to conduct the most productive patrols of any submarines in the Pacific.

Great story with a lot of detail.

Fabulous book

If you enjoy naval or general military history, this is the book for you. I consider myself generally familiar with WWII history, but I was amazed at how little I knew (or how much I had forgotten) about the submarine war in the Pacific. From O'Kane's and his skipper peers' formative years, to the evolution (or not) of submarine stategy and tactics, to the problems with torpedo malfunctions... it is all here. And what a guy Richard O'Kane was. He was a giant among heroes. Fine narrator, too.

An exciting story

This was a really good story read by someone who had empathy for the main characters and their stressful situations. Try to also read Shadow Divers for insight into the submarine culture of WWII.

What a story!

An outstanding audiobook for anyone interested in submarine warfare. Not only is the title character Richard O'Kane's story incredible, but the saga of the brave men of the submarine service during WWII will leave you in awe of their sacrifices. Highly recommended.