The Second Sun

By: P.T. Deutermann

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

March 1945: After a career of commanding destroyers in the Pacific theater of WWII, Captain Wolfe Bowen is based in Washington, DC, working for the chief of naval operations. Bowen receives an urgent call from the commander of the naval shipyard in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: a German U-boat has been captured and brought to port. But what grabs Bowen's attention is the presence of two Japanese civilians on board, along with the massive size of the U-boat itself. What these civilians know about the cargo of the U-boat, as well as its destination, begins a race against time that will change the course of history.

When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dies, Harry Truman ascends to office with no prior knowledge of the Manhattan Project. Bowen is assigned a dangerous mission: discover whether Japan has the technology to produce an atomic weapon, and find out how close the desperate enemy is to deploying it. Working with a small team, Bowen must report back to President Truman with the information that will transform the war—and the world.

Brilliantly imagined and deeply informed by P. T. Deutermann's long history as a navy captain, as well as his family's service in the Pacific theater, The Second Sun is a compelling novel timed for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

©2025 P. T. Deutermann (P)2025 Tantor Media

Character development

As usual Deautermann took a historical fact and wound a tale to scare you shitless! While many people loosely knew we used “atomic” bombs on Japan far fewer knew how we justified their use, many questioned if we were actually justified in their use, what the cost would have been in Allied lives. Deautermann cleverly wove in a love/technical analysis story to clearly develop our justification with an unexpected “cost” to that justification. The descriptions of the carnage of Hiroshima/Nagasaki clearly lay out the absolute destructive power of those two weapons and why they should never be used again. A great listen that is a bit lengthy but necessary to honestly lay out this story.

A fine wrap up to WW2 in the Pacific

Drama of wartime relations and moral dilemma. Also, as always with Deutermann WW2 novels, great battle scenes.

Who is this guy, P. T. Deutermann?.

It has taken me almost my entire lifetime to find one of the most prolific and entertaining authors. Mr. Deutermann certainly fits the bill and I'm doing my best to read each of his works. Highly qualified as an author based on his background and ability to present his subject matter that leaves one asking for more. I enjoyed this particular book as I have several others. It's my intention to finish them all. If one enjoys being immersed in fine even superb writing and being exposed to sheer realism I suggest you follow suit.

Great story

Enjoyed the various story lines that were blended into this book. Player developmet was very well done.

Great Historical novel

An alternative version of the last days of WW2. It was totally believable, great characters, well documented historical characters. Great narration