Dark Waters

An Insider's Account of the NR-1, the Cold War's Undercover Nuclear Sub

De: Lee Vyborny, Don Davis

Narrado por: Braden Wright

Operating alone and unarmed on the bottom of the sea, the U.S. Navy's smallest nuclear-powered submarine is one of its biggest weapons. Tied up at a pier, the boat with the bright orange sail looks absolutely minuscule, innocent and out of place beside its big brothers, the fleet's huge missile-carrying and attack submarines, but it can dive deeper, stay down for a month, and accomplish missions far beyond the capabilities of any of them. The ship has been cloaked in mystery. It wasn't commissioned or given a name, and even today it is hardly known beyond a select fraternity of sailors and scientists. They simply call it the NR-1.

The little submarine was born in controversy, served in secrecy, survived potential catastrophe on numerous occasions, and is still in operation almost forty years after being conceived. It was and remains the only one of its kind ever built.

The story of the NR-1 is told against the tense background of the Cold War and peopled with such rich characters as the acerbic Admiral Hyman Rickover, ocean scientist Robert Ballard (who found the Titanic), the designers and builders who faced almost impossible tasks to give life to the ship, the unique officers and sailors who took the little boat down into depths on covert missions, and the families who waited for them on shore, unaware that there would be no escape if the boat ran into trouble.

Dark Waters: An Insider's Account of the NR-1, the Cold War's Undercover Nuclear Sub is a thrill-a-minute book of submarine adventure, imminent danger, personal bravery, technological wonder and historic discovery. It will be a proud addition for listeners who love stories of the sea, history and intrigue.

©2003 Lee Vyborny and Don Davis. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Interesting story, style of pros odd to me.

I played this book at 0.8 speed as I kept missing elements. Th8s is the only book this happened to me on.
very interested in subject matter.

Great historical account

I very much appreciated the in depth historical account of the NR-1. It is a fascinating story and gives an accurate description of the times. Bravo!!

Great Book

Fascinating story about an amazing boat that helped defeat the USSR that nobody knew existed!

A great untold story.

NR-1 has always been an enigma to most who even know that it exists in the first place. Great insider story to one of the most secret ships in the navy.

One of the best books on the subject. Simply put.

This is a book that I've already restarted twice and I'm on my third run-through. I don't really want to spoil it too much but this was an amazing account of the NR-1, Admiral Rickover's brilliant tactics and bureaucratic supremacy (and arrogance and tendency to be a mean bully!). I couldn't get enough of the tales of sneaking around in the Mediterranean, observing objects of interest on the sea floor and running salvage missions from the depths. Amazing narrator too, who did an amazing job expressing the intent of the authors. Thank you lee Vyborny, Don Davis and Braden Wright for this awesome partnership. Thanks for your Naval service and professionalism in putting this book + audio book together. I freaking loved this one. I've read all of then, Red November., Blind Man's Bluff, Scorpion Down, and probably 10 others in this non-fiction space. This is a stand out. So good.

Fascinating topic

I greatly enjoyed the subject and the presentation. A real tribute to the men that crewed the vessel.

Great story, narrator mispronounced some things.

I loved the story. great mix of autobiography and history all in one that I don't think I've encountered before. The only gripe that I have is some glaring mis pronunciations by the narrator that while infrequent were jarring. Like pronouncing Grumman, the manufacturer of the F14 Tomcat as grooman instead of gruhmen. only reason to downgrade from 5 stars all around.

The Best Need No Accolades

The first matter I must mention is in remembering the the men that went down with the Thresher and Scorpion, and it is our responsibility to pass their stories down to our descendants.
The book itself is a great read and or listen for those that love the lore of the seas.
I need to mention though the catalyst and founder of the "Nuclear Navy" and the USA answer to Capt James Cook, Admiral Rickover.
I want to mention the journeymen at Electric Boat for running one perfect bead over and over, and producing a mechanical marvel. The Admirals spirit will always be with the extraordinary men that man the boats today, and women who take up valuable space at the expense of others.
I cannot close without passing on to Adm Rickover he was a pissant and cannot thank him enough for just carrying out his orders. There was a day in the Oval Office where Rickover was in charge for 15 minutes.

absolutely outstanding

if you're into adventure and exploration books this is definitely one for you. the story is incredibly well written and executed. the biggest problem you'll have is finding a place youre willing to stop

Fantastic book!

This is one of the best submarine books I have ever read. Very well done and preformed. Would definitely recommend.