Emergency Deep

One Man's Life in the Submarine Service

By: Richard Alan Smith

Narrated by: Richard A. Smith

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

When Richard A Smith agreed to join one of the most secretive and elite branches of the U.S. Navy, he had no idea how much it would change his life. From the moment he signed the Navy contract, he was drawn into the shadowy world of the Silent Service... and it would never let him go.

©2012 Richard A Smith (P)2013 WNEK

Dive, Dive, Dive.

This book in my opinion, should be nominated for worst book in my entire life, and I am 63 years old. I honestly felt ripped off in even purchasing it, as it added zip to my knowledge base on our submarine force.
I will be much more careful now in purchasing books written by anyone stationed in the silent service, and in fact the book I believe was written to ride of the coat tails of the very good books written by combat soldiers this past several years. Shame on the author, is all I can say.

Nuclear Submarine Life

Submarine Nuclear Machinist Mates will all recognize and remember everything in this book. Thank you Richard Smith for the shared memories. I would love to swap sea stories with you someday.

A visit with a family in a world uncommon.

Based upon the prior review I was at first hesitant about purchasing this book. However upon completion I was pleasantly surprised. As I am a great fan of the genre of stories of the sea from the likes of Patrick O'brian C S Forester, Alexander Kent and Richard Henry Dana, I offer the motivation of Dana stating that more than enough books have been written about the sea from the standpoint of the officers but rare are those by the crew. Likewise I submit that this book fills the same gap in the modern age. If you are fascinated by submarines as I am this book fills that void and offers an amazing view of average people living working training and just kidding around amidst extraordinary powerful equipment in an unimaginably hostile environment. Good read.

A True Life Experience

What did you love best about Emergency Deep?

It read easy and brought back many memories of my life on board USS Skipjack

What did you like best about this story?

Its realism!

Which scene was your favorite?

The one about me

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Worth a read, have shared with many friends already

Some Good, Some Not So

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Perhaps. At least for as an accurate description of the nuclear power program and general life aboard nuclear submarines.

Would you be willing to try another book from Richard Alan Smith? Why or why not?

No.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

While only the author or someone who has "been there" could narrate this book most of the narration sounded eerily similar to the narration of "A Christmas Story." It was clever in parts and distracting in others.

Do you think Emergency Deep needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. The story is self contained.

Any additional comments?

As someone who had many of these same experiences -- the Navy's nuclear power program, attack boat patrols, qualifications, etc. I found the book accurate and a pleasant reminder of "back in the day." Yet, the author's journey was troubling to me. The compelling need for self validation and the heavy dose of self criticism, while being much of the point for writing the book, left me feeling much less sympathetic and at times a bit angry. This is one of those books the author needed to write for himself, as a cathartic exercise. It may be something to skip for many who endured and finished their commitments.

Don't do it.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Some might ask if you don't have anything nice to say why say anything at all?.

Narrated by the author, which in my experience with audio books is typically a good thing. However maybe his personality is just not for me.
A curious, tolerant person with zero knowledge of the subject matter may better enjoy this long story of one individual's personal experience in the US Naval Submarine Service.
As a former enlisted sailor stationed aboard a Submarine Tender servicing these vessels and working with submariners the first thing that came to mind was "Friggin Nuke". (people trained in Naval Nuclear Propulsion Systems) I've always considered Nuke sailors to be Brilliant Idiots. I have personally worked with "Nuke's" and found them to be somewhat socially inept and will typically give you a long explanation when a short one would suffice. Richard is no disappointment from the stereotype I've described.
I did actually chuckle out loud at a couple of the pranks sailors would play on each other, some were familiar, others were eye opening.
Regardless of how painful it was to listen to, I do appreciate the effort, energy and time invested in his service to our country.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Richard A. Smith?

I might...Let me get over this one first.