Fatal Dive

Solving the World War II Mystery of the USS Grunion

By: Peter F. Stevens

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

No radio distress call ever crackled from the submarine USS Grunion. In 1942, under the fog of World War II, the vessel simply vanished without a trace. For nearly sixty-five years, only a dead silence lingered regarding the fate of the sub and its seventy-man crew—until now. Here author Peter F. Stevens reveals the incredible true story of the search for and discovery of the Grunion—as well as the navy’s shocking and willful cover-up of the submarine’s baffling disappearance. The Grunion was discovered in 2006 after a decades-long search by the Abele brothers, whose father commanded the submarine and met his untimely death aboard it, but one question remained: what sank the USS Grunion? Now, for the first time ever, Fatal Dive reveals the answer: one of the Grunion’s own missiles. The navy knowingly sent the Grunion out with faulty torpedoes, and Fatal Dive reveals damning and never-before-published government documents that provide irrefutable evidence of its shameful cover-up. Intriguing and explosive, Fatal Dive finally lays to rest one of World War II’s greatest mysteries.

Peter F. Stevens, news and features editor of the Boston Irish Reporter, is a veteran journalist with a specialty in historical writing. His work is syndicated by the New York Times and has been published in dozens of magazines and newspapers. He is also a two-time winner of the International Regional Magazine Association’s Gold Medal for Feature Writing and the award-winning author of The Voyage of the Catalpa. He lives in Boston.

©2012 Peter F. Stevens (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Suspenseful…a chilling conclusion.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“After the USS Grunion was lost in perhaps the most hostile environment of the war, the details of the submarine’s sinking off the Aleutian Islands remained a mystery for decades—until the deceased skipper’s sons set out with dogged determination to find out where and how their father died. Stevens manages to build suspense even though the reader knows the ultimate fate of the Gato-class ‘pigboat.’ Fatal Dive is a quick but thoughtful and moving read.” (Jim Defelice, bestselling author of Rangers at Dieppe)

“Peter Stevens unreels a fascinating piece of nautical history. This real-life drama of war, suspense, and human achievement in the face of frightful odds is mesmerizing from start to finish. A book for all.” (Lieutenant General Dave Palmer (Ret.), author of George Washington’s Military Genius)

Captivating read !

This book was so interesting . I could not stop listening . Very well written and read . I recommend it highly . These young men were selfless heroes . It was especially touching that everyone of the 69 were individually named and a brief biography was read . I loved it .

It took exceptional men to crew these iron coffins

This may come across as superficial but I'm as serious as a heart attack: See if you can listen to the final chapter
without choking back tears. Its a postscript with each crewman's bio and his family's reaction
to his disappearance, If you can endure this without flinching, well, you are soulless.
The narrator must of needed a three day bender afterwards.

Completely unknown

A great but tragic story. A very engaging listen. The history is great. The ending is sad but uplifting also because the 70 men are finally recognized and finally laid to rest properly. Now their country honors them as it should have in 1941. The narration is very good, clear and concise and he doesn't struggle with the more difficult Japanese names. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in naval battles of the second world war or in general human interest stories.

Powerful, Gripping and a Must listen to or read.

You hang onto every word, to every individual who is mentioned in this story. you learn of a Crew that perished serving there country a Submarine I had never heard of until I came across this. I learned of men and young men who's stories need to be told. Of son's stopping at nothing to find Jim's Submarine. I hope you listen to it or read it. I'll definitely be buying the book something I can hold in my hands and someday read to my kids. God Bless the families and Crew!!

An inspiring story

An inspiring story about service to one’s country (the men of the USS Grunion) but also about what binds fathers and sons and of a family who were dedicated to keep the memory alive of a long lost but never forgotten family member. It was beautifully told and also kept ones interest throughout. Also expertly narrated. Well recommend.

Fatal Dive

This is one of the best books I have read about a submarine. Thank you to the author for telling this story in a easily read way and explaining life on a sub during WWII. Thank you

Very personal presentation

The author did a great job of presenting the personal side and loss of war and the bureaucratic bungling of the government. The torpedo issue was a prime example of arrogant condescending bureaucrats doing CYA at the expense of the people doing the job. The biographies of the crew at the end really brought home The devastation of families both of the sinking in and of the cover up that followed. Very few books I’ve read of this genre have made an emotional connection with me but this one did! I would recommend it.

Gripping story

I am an aviator, not a mariner, but I can really feel the huge resposibility, described here, you have for people’s lives when things go wrong, - which they will do, sooner or later, both at sea, and in the air! A most poignant story to listen to today, 4th. of July, Independence Day!😌👍

A sad story

I consider myself a fairly good history buff but I never heard this story. A long time getting out. The navy kept it under wraps

Fascinating tale

Sad tale, but expertly reported.
could not put it down. Kudos to those who never gave up hope of finding the Grunnion.