Submarine Commander

A Story of World War II and Korea

By: Paul R. Schratz

Narrated by: John N. Gully

Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

A fascinating personal memoir of underwater combat in World War II, told by a man who played a major role in those dangerous operations. Frank and beautifully written, this book will be of lasting value as a submarine history by an expert and as an enduring military and political analysis.

In early 1943, the submarine USS Scorpion, with Paul R. Schratz as torpedo officer, slipped into the shallow waters east of Tokyo, laid a minefield, and made successful torpedo attacks on merchant shipping. Schratz participated in many more patrols in heavily mined Japanese waters as executive officer of the Sterlet and the Atule. At war's end, he participated in the Japanese surrender, aided the release of American POWs, and had a key role in the disarming of enemy suicide submarines. He then took command of the revolutionary new Japanese submarine I-203 and returned it to Pearl Harbor. But this was far from the end of Schratz's submarine career.

In 1949, he commissioned the ultramodern USS Pickerel, the most deadly submarine then afloat, and set a world's record in a 21-day, 5,200-mile submerged passage from Hong Kong to Honolulu. With the outbreak of the Korean War, the Pickerel was immediately sent to Korea to participate in secret intelligence operations only recently declassified and never before revealed in print. Schratz's broad military experience makes this a far from ordinary memoir.

©1988 The University Press of Kentucky (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An authoritative, useful, and interesting view of Pacific Ocean submarine operations." ( American Historical Review)

"Fascinating... A delight to read not only because it is well written but because it is so very real seen through the eyes of a completely involved observer." ( Submarine Review)

"A commanding and well told tale.... Schratz succeeds in making wartime submarining come alive for nonsubmariners." ( Shipmate)

Great story about WWII submarines

Would you listen to Submarine Commander again? Why?

No. I've listened to several books but although the story is very good, the editing of this audio book results in chapters being randomly repeated.

Soldiers did so much from a cramped undersea world

If you could sum up Submarine Commander in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining submarine life

What about John N. Gully’s performance did you like?

He speaks clearly and quickly enough to cover the material while allowing the listener to absorb what is going on.

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

Support from below the sea can make all the difference.

Any additional comments?

I love war biographies and have read several that include references to the contributions of submarines. I was excited to hear this book but I had low expectations for the entertainment value of men being crammed in small craft under the sea. The author does a wonderful job of throwing in small personal details of the life of the men both at sea and his family life which paints them as vivid people rather than just soldiers that went to war. I ended up fascinated at how these men supported those (like my grandfathers) who were up on boats and under attack. Until this book I hadn't considered the large roll of submarines in the Pacific long after the Atlantic Uboat fight had ended. The author describes hardships without fishing for pity and focuses on the good times in general. It is a world war II book that actually makes you feel positive about some of the experiences, not just the outcome. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast. I am happy to have had the opportunity. I sincerely loved it.

Biography Through Sub Command

Would you consider the audio edition of Submarine Commander to be better than the print version?

Didn't read print version so can't say

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I found the narrator's style a bit stoic for my taste. Also, being a retired Naval Officer (not subs) a found a few Navy vocabulary not the way a sailor would have said it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Mentioned how a shipmate who had been home for one day after at 2-yr-ish absence made the mistake of disciplining his [tween-age?] child. Hey, the instant dad returned home all was not as though he never left.

Any additional comments?

This was the real story of a real Naval Officer basically from commissioning through relief in command. It's not all general quarters and action. It's a lot of long monotonous time too. Painted a decent picture of the family separation and it's impact.

WWII Submarine stories at their finest.

Great audiobook. Makes you feel all the tension and boredom of the WWII submariner. Narrator was not very animated but got the job done.

Great book, bad narration

An amazing and gripping account of an incredible submariner. Well written and exciting. The reading however was terrible. They made exciting war action seem like an insurance seminar. Still, on ballance very good listen.

Good Overall

Great story ok reader. Parts are slow, but it heats up. Good first WWIi submarine book to get an overall feel.

Superb

This is a fantastic accounting of Life on board a submarine. it also offers a great deal about Navy life during World War II and postwar. Excellent narration throughout.

Life as a WW II Sub Commander

Would you consider the audio edition of Submarine Commander to be better than the print version?

Despite the disparaging reviews that other reviewers have left, I found this audiobook both informative and engrossing. Perhaps it's because the author comes from a generation for which I have great admiration and respect, for their immense patriotism, dedication and service to this country. Perhaps it's because my father is from the SAME generation, and he too served in the US Navy during WW II.

But I believe this audiobook is also worthwhile for its great stories! I loved learning about the technical details of naval vessels. I loved hearing the author's impressions of life and people in the Navy. And I especially loved hearing the historical details of such an amazing and difficult era-an era that brought out both the best and worst in much of humanity.

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

An OK Historical Record About One Man's Carrier

The book is an autobiography about Paul Schratz's carrier in the Navy, and how he eventually became a commander of submarines. He did great things in the service of his country. The book was first published in 1988.
The reader was smooth. He didn't read fast, just a nice even pace, and spoke clearly. However, there were some words, namely geographic places mispronounced.
I have always been very interested in submarine warfare, especially that of World War II. Commander Schratz had some pretty tough assignments. He told it like it was, I am quite sure.
America can be grateful that we had men of great character serving in positions of authority. I served in the armed forces about the time this book was being written, but did not know of it until recently. I am thankful that I didn't have to endure what Paul Schratz was so committed to in serving his country.
The Naval Institute records his passing in 1993. He had four daughters. His decedents must be very proud of his fine record of service and sacrifice.

Thought provoking

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it gives an incite to a world most people don't know about.

What did you like best about this story?

The statistics in the beginning were eye opening.

What does John N. Gully bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice has good diction and a great cadence that carries you throughout the story. He has a good grasp of the subject and of the author's style of writing.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."