The Dragon in the Sea

By: Frank Herbert

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

In the 21st century, the United States has all but used up its oil supply. A new source must be found. Our atomic subtugs begin stealing oil from underwater deposits in enemy territory. But none of the last 20 tugs sent to bring back the desperately needed mineral have returned. Ensign John Ramsey of the Bureau of Psychology is planted aboard the Fenian Ram S1881 as an electronics officer. His assignment: find the saboteur in the four-man crew and bring back the oil.

©1956 Herbert Properties, LLC (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A sea story of an imaginary war that comes very close to matching...any chronicle of real war.... A novel that ranks with the best of modern science fiction." ( The New York Times)
"One of the few science fiction novels I'll recommend to anyone." ( Pittsburgh Press)

HERBERT STILL LEARNING HIS STYLE SF OF THE FIFTIES

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I TRIED TO READ THIS BOOK IN THE MID SIXTIES, BUT NEVER SEEM TO CATCH,
THE INTERACTION GROWS TEDIOUS AND SEEMS SOMEWHAT MURKY EVEN WHEN THERE ARE ONLY FOUR CHARACTERS AT PLAY.

What do you think your next listen will be?

C W C OMAN ACCOUNT OF THE MIDDLE AGES

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

CLEAR AND GOOD DICTION, HARD FOR THE NARRATOR TO MAKE THE STORY MORE LIVELY

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

NO

Any additional comments?

EVEN THE IMMORTAL JANE AUSTEN HAD A FEW BAD PARAGRAPHS.

Undersea military scenario

Frank Herbert’s The Dragon in the Sea mostly takes place on a submarine at some point in the near future where available oil supplies are limited to underwater wells and the world’s superpower vie for control of the seabed. A four-man crew is being sent to a site where multiple previous subs have never returned. There is suspicion of a mole, so an electronic guru / psychologist is embedded in the crew. There are many harrowing situations with enemy encounters as well as sabotage throughout.

Herbert offers an interesting futuristic scenario of dwindling oil supplies resulting in undersea extrac-tion with submarines hauling huge reservoirs of pumped crude at secret sites. The electronics and other high-tech gadgetry are quite creative for the 1950’s. While not explicit, a ‘cold war’ mentality is evident throughout.

The narration is excellent with solid character distinction. Pacing is smooth and brisk.

Decent story

Decent story but drags a little as 95% of the story takes place in the submarine. Scott Brick's narration is good.

Meh

This story would have been so much better without for the constant nonsensical psychological garbage Herbert spewed onto the pages. It was a struggle to finish, and in the end, wasn't worth the 7-1/2 hours spent.

Deep Six Sleeper

If it weren't for the pefect voice of Scott Brick, this story would put you to sleep. The technology is way out of date and the story sort of drags you through stuff already hashed out and improved on by Tom Clancy and other Submarine warfare writers. You have to look at tomorrow's world through yesderday's eyes. I'm pretty good at doing such things with most of Herbert's work, but this one is sort of too "old hat" to really get into.

Not anywhere near Dune

Any additional comments?

This book was pretty standard sic-Fi from this time period. Which falls far below the high mark set by Dune.