War Beneath the Sea

Submarine Conflict During World War II

By: Peter Padfield

Narrated by: Chris MacDonnell

Length: 25 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

Sweeping from the frigid waters of the North Atlantic to the steaming South Pacific, this riveting chronicle of submarine warfare is the first to cover all the major submarine campaigns of the war, describing, in detail, the operations of the British, American, Japanese, Italian, and German submarine and anti-submarine forces.

Beginning with a vivid re-creation of the sinking of the passenger liner Athenia by a German U-boat in September 1939, critically acclaimed military historian Peter Padfield's compelling narrative casts an unflinching eye on the devastating consequences of maritime warfare. The often harrowing encounters unfold with urgency and power, balanced by his keen sense of objectivity and perspective.

Exploring the full spectrum of the submarine and anti-submarine warfare experience, this brilliantly detailed account pulls no punches. Facts and figures that stagger the imagination are revealed in starkly human terms, and disturbing questions abound. Padfield addresses the controversial issues raised with candor and insight, and the result is not only an impressive achievement but a milestone work in the history of the 20th century.

©2008 Peter Padfield (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Fills in the gaps of other submarine books

I really liked this book as it filled in gaps I wanted to know more about, specifically concerning Japanese and British submarine services. I wouldn't recommend it as a first book on the subject because books like Steel Boat Iron Hearts or The War Below are more narrative and entertaining in a dramatic human way, but as a 3rd or 4th book for someone who wants to learn more it's awesome.

Encyclopedic boredom

Extremely detailed and monotonous as is evidenced by the three and four hour chapters throughout the book. While a fully complete history of the submarine conflicts in both the Atlantic and Pacific during WWII, each chapter is basically a repeat of the previous one.

Superb Overview of WW2 Under The Sea

So well done I listened to the book twice! Author's take on Admiral King was very enlightening. Best coverage I have read on German pattern running torps.

A good effort marred by unforced errors

Book covered the submarine forces of all major belligerents, in all theaters, in depth. However, the omission of seminal events — such as Convoy PQ-17 — the incomplete handling of others — such as the story of the Sailfish and the Sculpin — and outright errors of fact (e.g. misnaming the atomic bombs “Thin Boy” and “Fat Boy”) marred the story, and thereby called other details into question.

Submarine Entirety

Best complete review of the submarine war of WWII that has been written. I am utterly amazed.

Epically tedious, monotonous, revisionist

Amongst the tedious things about this book is the narrator's accent that creates/pronounces words/names so they are sometimes unrecognizable, e.g. defying logic, "Captain" becomes "Cap-i-tain." Overall, however, the narrative is merely an average read of a poorly organized book which covers not the war beneath the sea, but rather endless coverage of England's irrelevant submarine prowess, detailing various failures of poor planning, ill designed submarines and an arrogant view of Britannia. Facts are superficial and conclusory and there's enough revisionist history to qualify this as a history book for primary grades.

Terrific

Terrific in every respect. Fantastically resourced and delivered. Only problem I had was trying to do something else (reading the paper) while listening. perpetually backing up to hear tidbits.
loved it

WWII Submarine Multinational overview

Strong overview of key submarine activity if the top five nations involved in submarine activity. many I had never heard before.

superb

I found this a very captivating and informative study one of those difficult to put down books. A highly recommended book covering all theaters of War for this arm of the services. I have read much on German submariners exploits in the past so the Japanese and British perspectives were particularly interesting.

War beneath the Sea

Not what I was expecting, it explains the technical development of submarines and the different nations that exploited them. Thus, rather dry and largely of limited interest.

Well balanced story of strategy and tactics.

This book brilliantly balances the human story of the main characters with strategic, tactical and technological developments and fascinating details. The author manages to tell the story as a historical narrative without the feeling of jumping around. Very enjoyable.

it a struggle

story is ok narration is hard work it like lectures i had to endure in the fire service quick and monotone

Great book Great Narrator

I'm only on chapter 5 but already I can say this is a great book covering all sides of the submarine war in WW2. Welk narrated with a good mix of the overall strategy coupled with eye witness accounts, Highly recommended

Comprehensive, marred by mispronunciations

The text is very good, blending a detailed factual account of submarine warfare in Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific, with first-hand accounts of many particular engagements, the accompanying bravery and occasional brutality, and giving balanced critiques of strategies. The narrator appears not to have any consistent knowledge of German pronunciation, and his ignorance of the change of sound when a letter has an umlaut over it gets irritating after the hundredth hearing.

Brilliant.! 3D Chess at it's best!

There were so many occasions listening to this book that I thought "This is brilliant!" It was like listening to a clearly described and well-paced coverage of an exciting game of 3-dimensional chess - just when you thought you knew what the different opponents should do or should have done there was yet another factor to take into consideration. I have been a keen reader/listener of military history for many years but I don't think I have every read/heard anything like this that was so good at covering the myriad of variables that impacted on both minor and major decisions and outcomes, be they the success or otherwise of a particular attack (or defense).by a single unit or major policy decisions impacting on many hundreds of vessels and lives. The coverage of the submarine war in the different theaters was very well handled in a chronological (and logical) way, the variations in vessel design, strategy and training were most informative and the different personalities were well drawn but the real strength of the book lay in its ability to lay out the different macro and micro strategic considerations affecting the outcomes.

I cannot recommend the work itself highly enough, especially to those who prefer a 'thinking man's description of history'.

My only complaint (and one too minor to warrant any loss of stars) was that on occasion it was quite apparent when the narrator has 're-started' reading. Given the level of audio recording technology available today and the ability to manage the process it showed a lack of professionalism on the part of the sound personnel. Doenitz would have had them shot!