Under the Red Sea Sun

By: Edward Ellsberg

Narrated by: David Baker

Length: 18 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

A gripping first-hand description of the salvage operations at the port of Massawa on the Red Sea coast of Eritrea during the early days of World War II. When forced from the region, Italian troops had scuttled many ships to block the important harbour, which was vital to the British war effort. Ellsberg, an American salvage officer, was placed in charge and a small group of workers under his direction accomplished an almost Herculean task with virtually no resources. The book paints a realistic picture of confusion and incompetence in the early days of the war.

©1946 Edward E. Pollard and Ann P. Heilakka (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Best Book I Have Ever Read!!!

This is a very interesting book describing the hardships encountered by very tough and brave men at the beginning of WW II. The author, Admiral Edward Ellsberg puts you right in the middle of a nightmare of a situation with such an amazing description of his adventures that you feel like you are right there. This has been my all time favorite reading book for over 40 years and now that I have had an opportunity to hear it, I love it even more. I can't believe that they haven't made a movie out of this true life adventure but I guess if they did, no one would believe it.

Incredible man delivers on American exceptionalism that defines America thru it’s history

Commander Ellsberg achievements are documented in stories full of drama and non stop challenges that should end each episode as his lesser critics and naysayers assured he must fail just as they had in spite of near zero support and resources
I read the story as teen and could never erase the awesome memories of those can , Will do salvage miracles he engineered

An unknown American Hero

I must say I am a little biased- I have read everything Edward Ellsberg wrote years ago. Few men tell a tale like the Commander. He has written outstanding historical novels on John Paul Jones and other American adventurers, as well as recorded his own Marine salvage exploits. Ellsberg has the gift of explaining very technical jargon in an easy to understand language that allows you to follow along with no problems. While Patton, MacArthur and Eisenhower were in the newspapers, Ellsberg was in the trenches. If Rear Admiral Ellsberg were not the man who wrote the book on Naval savage, and willing to serve his country when he was needed, the D-day invasion and North African campaigns may have turned out very different in deed. In this book, he nearly single handedly stood up an American Naval base in Massawa and restored the English war ship fleet as well as their merchant ship fleet supplying the North African campaign. The narrator does a great job and relaying the story in an easy to follow narration. I see only four of his books are recorded thus far, keep them coming, because my favorite "Captain Paul" is not listed as yet.

Great unusual wartime story

Very unusual story about salvaging of ships during WW2. The perseverance and determination of people to do difficult jobs under straining conditions is well told

Absolutely brilliant

What a book! What a life Edward Ellsberg must have had. Despite all the goings on in war, this man and his team achieved something special. The ability to adopt and adapt is something else.
A proper tale with some great stories of the life of a naval salvage man. I cannot recommend this book enough! A must for anyone interested in engineering or history.

Surprisingly enthralling

A free book but well worth paying to read. The narrator was a little hard to get used to, but eventually felt appropriate as the character of the author became clear as the book progressed. I found the author’s insights into travel in WWII fascinating, his stories of crossing the Atlantic by steamer were very interesting, and of course the explanation of salvage operations was addictive. I eagerly jumped into the car on my commute to find out what happened next. Great book. The Author does come across as a bit of a know-it-all but the blood-sucking role of contractors in wartime is interesting. It just shows that the Black Market and capitalism saw war as a means to get rich. Our society is still plagued by those whose only aim was to look after themselves. Anyway, that’s only a minor part of the book.

A HIDDEN GEM

You get such an insight into Ellsberg's drive and ability to make things happen. He also writes with detail and colour showing how if you want something to happen, then it can happen. You can tell that Ellsberg is a good man, and operates with selflessness. Wonderful book.

Riveting, fascinating, inspiring, humbling

Hands down one of the best books I have enjoyed from Audible. A hidden gem that deserves far more recognition than it gets. Very well narrated but for the curious pronunciation of the word 'quays'. I cannot recommend this work highly enough.

Capt. Marvel

Well narrated, well written, well received. Excellent story worthy of any "Marvel" comic hero.
Impossible, but should be made into a film.

An Unsung Hero

Brilliantly interesting book, with fascinating insight into little known aspects of World War 2 marine salvage operations
The unsung heroes who carried out this work under terrible conditions are expertly written about

pronunciation of marine terms was appalling

pronunciation of marine terms was appalling but the story was ok, great for a free listen would have been less happy to have paid for it.

Fascinating

A thoroughly intriguing story about salvage in the Second World War. Man against adversity.
Listen

Audible plus bonus 😁

This is not a book that I would normally have purchased but had the opportunity to listen to it as part of the included Audible plus catalogue. A story about an experienced American naval officer who is an expert in salvage and his endeavours in Eritrea in WW2. Its a very interesting listen about an unglamorous , but important , part of the navy.It is well narrated, well written and an entertaining listen. It is a pity that the publisher did not use the same narrator for Admiral Ellsberg's subsequent books.