The War Below

The Story of Three Submarines That Battled Japan

By: James Scott

Narrated by: Donald Corren

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The riveting story of the submarine force that helped win World War II by ravaging Japan’s merchant fleet and destroying its economy.

The War Below is a dramatic account of extraordinary heroism, ingenuity, and perseverance—and the vital role American submarines played in winning the Pacific War. Focusing on the unique stories of the submarines Silversides, Drum, and Tang—and the men who skippered and crewed them—James Scott takes readers beneath the waves to experience the thrill of a direct hit on a merchant ship and the terror of depth charge attacks. It’s a story filled with incredible feats of courage, including an emergency appendectomy performed with spoons by an inexperienced medic and the desperate struggle of sailors to escape from a flooded submarine stuck on the bottom, as well as tragic moments such as American submarines sinking an unmarked enemy ship carrying some 1,800 American POWs.

The casualty rate among submariners topped that of all military branches, a staggering six times higher than the surface navy. The war claimed almost one out of every five boats. But Japan was so ravaged by the loss of precious fuel and supplies that by war’s end, Japanese warships lay at anchor while hungry civilians ate sawdust. Scott paints an unforgettable picture of the dangerous life submariners endured, including the atrocious prison camps where the Japanese beat, tortured, and starved captured Allied troops. Based on more than one hundred interviews with submarine veterans and a review of more than three thousand pages of previously unpublished letters, diaries, and personal writings, The War Below allows readers to experience the Pacific War as never before.

©2013 James M. Scott (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Using voluminous official records plus interviews and an amazing number of unpublished diaries and letters, former Charleston Post and Courier investigative reporter Scott delivers a gripping, almost day-by-day account of the actions of three submarines…Military buffs will lap it up, but general readers may find it difficult to resist the tension, drama, and fireworks of this underappreciated but dazzlingly destructive American weapon of World War II.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

“This is the most absorbing narrative of submarine warfare that I’ve read in years. The research is so deep, and the writing so vivid, I could practically feel the vast ocean closing over me as these three boats ranged the Pacific looking for the kill.” (James D. Hornfischer, New York Times bestselling author)

“Beautifully researched and masterfully told, James Scott’s book is an enthralling and important addition to the story of undersea warfare.” (Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of Escape from the Deep)

Best Written & Best Told Story of American Subs

I've listened to this book twice and will listen to it again. It is a very well written and an extremely well narrated book. What is particularly good is the manner in which the author switches between the three submarines and still manages to tie the various stories together. Contrary to becoming confusing or disjointed, for my part, it made the listening even more riveting. I'm constantly looking for good books about American sub warfare and so far the others pale in comparison. Although a story might be well written and well researched, let's face it, narration is huge and Donald Corren is now in my top five narrators because of his performance in this book. The author also manages to relate facts without making it sound like a captains daily log or a statistics lecture. If you are in any manner a WWII, naval, or submarine buff you should get this one for your library.

Great Book

A detailed story of submarine warfare. A very good story. Author jumps back and forth between different submarines and people. Good narrator

Absolutely the most and lightning book to Data about submarine warfare

I have been reading books looking at films and following all of branch of the service of World War II. I have found that the submarine service in no part from this book I have gotten a better understanding of all the perils that they dealt with every minute of every day being out in the middle
of a very large ocean where everything has to be done and fixed by themselves

I read much about the Chang and her demise buy her own torpedo. The thing that astonished me was the detail that was given in this book of the final hours of the crew. Also their captivity and what they endured at the hands of our than enemies.

I do not think that there is a metal in existence today that would honor all of these men serving on these boats in the pearl in which they put themselves. Take the time to enjoy this book it’s very usually allow yourself to feel that you’re part of the crew seeing things feeling things and almost smelling things, including fear.

When you compare the German U-boats against the American submarines we had money last number of boats and we outperformed them without exception. Some due to the final equipment and technology that we move forward with but more with the man who man them and the dedication that they had to doing the best they could do every moment that they were on their boats.

Reading his book will give you a greater appreciation for these men your officers and what they did for this country and helping us to win the war the expanded such a large area of water.

My deepest thanks and also to every man and woman now climbs down the hatch a submarine as a close that patch and seal it tight they understand that their feet is in the hands of the person next to them. Thank you for your service then and to all those who May serve in the future. Thank you again and please read this book

Amazing true stories of WWII sub war against Japan

One of the best listening experiences ever. I don’t usually do reviews but this is such an exemplary offering and, free! I guarantee you will immediately find yourself totally immersed (no pun intended) in the detailed accounts of these submariners, the equipment, the war against Japan in general and finally their POW years and final rescue. I’ll probably listen to it many more times.

Great story and perfectly read.

Excellent

An excellent history of submarine warfare in the Pacific during WW2. The narrator was very good, with the exception of repeatedly mispronouncing the word “boatswain,” pronouncing it “ boat swain” at least 100 times rather than “bos-n.”

Well Done!

Of historical significance. Very well done. Had to forward past the excesssive number of retold instances of depravity towards surviving Sub crews in Pow camps.

fantastic book

great narrator, great story, and its super entertaining. sure made work go by quick!

Just when you think you've heard it all

A must for anyone interested in WW II. The stories of the Silent Service deserve our acknowledgement of their actions to defend America.

My first book about submarine warfare

I've seen Das Boot and recently read a couple of books about surface naval warfare. This was my first book to listen to about submarine warfare. I thought it was very interesting and engaging. I would highly recommend it.

Great Book

If you could sum up The War Below in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating and Educational

What about Donald Corren’s performance did you like?

His reading wasn't distracting.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The War Below

Any additional comments?

The book covers several submarines, so it jumps around a bit. A couple times I wondered if it skipped a chapter, only to have it pick back up, later in the book. It is well written and fills in a lot of what I didn't know about the WWII, in the Pacific.