Crash Dive: The Complete Series (Books 1-6)

By: Craig DiLouie

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 29 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Now you can download the entire Crash Dive Series - here!

Crash Dive: The Complete Series chronicles the adventures of Charlie Harrison as he fights the Imperial Japanese Navy during WW2. Gripping, action-packed, authentic, and filled with larger-than-life men and women of the Greatest Generation, Crash Dive puts you aboard a submarine during the war.

You'll stand alongside Charlie as he proves himself time and again by keeping his wits and being decisive in crisis, though each encounter leaves him more heavily scarred for it. You'll attack a convoy in a daring night surface attack, emerge in a sea fog to ambush a battle group, and charge the battleship Yamato during the decisive Battle of Leyte Gulf. All the while, you'll live with the crew in the cramped, noisy, and challenging machine that was a diesel-electric submarine.

Crash Dive: The Complete Series puts together for the first time all six episodes in Craig DiLouie's highly acclaimed historical military fiction series: Crash Dive, Silent Running, Battle Stations, Contact!, Hara-Kiri, and Over the Hill.

©2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 ZING Communications, Inc (P)2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Blue Heron Audio

I'll Call This Genre Non Fiction Fiction.

Craig DiLouie did a masterful job in painting with words the amazing story of submarine service in the Pacific during WWII. My father was a Submariner from 1939 until 1945, a veteran of 10 combat patrols complete with Combat Patrol Pins and the accompanying card that was very handy as a "Get Out Of The Brig Free" card in both Perth and Pearl. Bar "discussions" were common between sailors and marines, and the shore patrol gave submariners with this card in their pocket every courtesy after breaking up the fight. Dad left us in 2001, and my brothers and I have been so fortunate to have much of his legacy preserved in books, magazine stories and on the web. From "Sugar" boats to fleet boats, DiLouie nailed sub history in the Pacific, and by doing so brought memories of my father closer than since before he passed away. I am mentioning all this not to boast on a member of Brokaw's Greatest Generation, rather to encourage my fellow Audible listeners to take a chance, and immerse yourself into the hot, malodorous world of the World War II Submarine Service. So "Splice the mainbrace" and hang on for a tale for the ages!

A Submarine Veteran's Review

As a submarine veteran, I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Each book in the series progresses to complete a story that feels like the Band of Brothers of WWII submarine warfare. The story chronicles the military service of Charlie Harrison. As Charlie's story progresses, one obtains a sense of the author's appreciation for actual submarine heroes of WWII. Much of what happens to Charlie parallels the exploits of real submarine captains like Richard O'Kane and Mush Morton. I appreciated these apparent parallels because I got a sense of the research conducted by the author. Some minor nuances to submarine life are slightly off, but most of the details were very accurate. Well done, Craig DiLouie!

Narration: R.C. Bray always knocks it out of the park when it comes to narrating. This performance of Crash Dive is no exception. There are some light sound effects in the series. They are complimentary enough to enhance the story, not distract. The author did well to pull Bray away from Sci-fi long enough to add his Silent Service performance to Crash Dive.

Overall: This is one of my favorite fiction series in my library. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in submarine warfare or WWII naval fiction accounts. Bravo Zulu!

Entertaining, but historically annoying.

The overall story are great, as his technical detail; however, as a history buff, I find the author’s rewriting of history disappointing.
1. He has Charlie sink the lone”surviving” carrier of The battle of Midway which would have fundamental changed the nature of that battle.
2. He has both the Yamato and The Musashi at the battle of Samar when the Musashi had been sunk the day before (and it’s presence added nothing to the story). Also by having a submarine attack drive of the Yamato and end the battle he takes away the credit from the American destroyers whose torpedos that actually did drive off that monster.
3. Having his submarine repeatedly take on and sink multiple destroyers is a little over top.

Also having Charlie can repeatedly take over command of the boat when the captain became incapacitated seemed redundant.

Definitely no Run Silent Run Deep.

Worth it undoubtedly

My first WW2/real history (ish) book coming from mostly space themed sci-fi and I loved it. Performance amazing as always from R.C. Bray.

Brace for Impact!

This is the best audio book I have ever listened to. A true epic. The characters were outstanding. The story was mesmerizing. The narrator was perfect! Lots of action, drama and thoughtful retrospect. This series will not disappoint. I am so glad I gave it a try.

Excellent WW 2 drama

Do your self a favor and get this series. You don’t have to read them one after another. Take a break between them, then return and marvel in the story of submariner Charlie Harrison.
Well done!!

Great Series

I got chills several times reading this. I don't cry during books or movies but I felt my eyes welling up a couple times. Great story.

Outstanding book!

I hated for this one to end! Great character development, amazing action and technically spot on. I highly recommend this series!

A Well Told Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this epic. The characters were memorable and I became attached to them.

Inspiring

The book is inspiring as it explores the many facets of war and the people who tried to cope with it. Beautiful, exciting, and thought provoking.