Thunder Below!

The USS Barb Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II

By: Eugene B. Fluckey

Narrated by: Corey Snow

The thunderous roar of exploding depth charges was a familiar and comforting sound to the crew members of the USS Barb, who frequently found themselves somewhere between enemy fire and Davy Jones's locker. Under the leadership of her fearless skipper, Captain Gene Fluckey, the Barb sank the greatest tonnage of any American sub in World War II. At the same time, the Barb did far more than merely sink ships-she changed forever the way submarines stalk and kill their prey.

This is a gripping adventure chock-full of "you-are-there" moments. Fluckey has drawn on logs, reports, letters, interviews, and a recently discovered illegal diary kept by one of his torpedomen. And in a fascinating twist, he uses archival documents from the Japanese Navy to give its version of events. The unique story of the Barb begins with its men, who had the confidence to become unbeatable. Each team helped develop innovative ideas, new tactics, and new strategies. All strove for personal excellence, and success became contagious. Instead of lying in wait under the waves, the USS Barb pursued enemy ships on the surface, attacking in the swift and precise style of torpedo boats. She was the first sub to use rocket missiles and to creep up on enemy convoys at night, joining the flank escort line from astern, darting in and out as she sank ships up the column. Surface-cruising, diving only to escape, "Luckey Fluckey" relentlessly patrolled the Pacific, driving his boat and crew to their limits. There can be no greater contrast to modern warfare's long-distance, video game style of battle than the exploits of the captain and crew of the USS Barb, where the sub, out of ammunition, actually rammed an enemy ship until it sank. Thunder Below! is a first-rate, true-life, inspirational story of the courage and heroism of ordinary men under fire.

©1992 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Fluckey is a fine writer with a lively, colorful style. His book is packed with action and suspense and is rich in details about the day-today operation of a submarine in combat." ( Publishers Weekly)

Action, Excitement, & History. A great read!

Great read!! Fluckey did a great job putting you right in the action. Those who were there are the best at this. The book doesn't just tell you what happened, it lets you experince it first hand. You also get to know the men on the boat. I feel like I have a bunch of new friends. This book would be great for anyone interest in action, excitement, and history.

The production of the Audible portion was one of the best I have ever heard. The reader even pronounces the word " submariner" correctly. If you have ever spoken to an old submarine man he will be quick to tell you it's "submarine-er" not "sub-mariner."

This one of several titles that have needed to be on Audible for a long time. If everybody buys this title then maybe Audible will add other tiltes like: Richard Kane's "Wahoo" and "Clear the Bridge," and Edward L. Beech's, "Run Silent Run Deep," "Dust on the Sea," "Cold as the Sea," and "Submarine."

I want more!

Superb! Both the book and the narrator.

The story off the USA Barb brings submarine warfare and submarine tactics to life, as well as the lives involved. As always, Corey Snow makes it hard to stop listening till the end is reached. A must read/listen for any arm chair submariner.

Exciting story of tactical operations in Pacific

Authentic first person story of command under fire and split second life and death decisions.
Readers with some knowledge of the Pacific in WW2 will enjoy the book more than those without.
It has a fast pace and I often sat in the car waiting for a vignette to end.

For submariner's everywhere

far winds and following seas. If you rode a boat you will love this story

Great story -

If you could sum up Thunder Below! in three words, what would they be?

Compelling, heartwarming well-written

What other book might you compare Thunder Below! to and why?

Eric Haney's book on the Delta Force. They are both good reads and give me a chance to appreciate our service members.

Have you listened to any of Corey Snow’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not that I remember

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

The Japanese they captured who wanted to part of the crew.