Escape from the Deep: The Epic Story of a Legendary Submarine and Her Courageous Crew

incredibly gripping

This was the fastest read I've ever had. You almost can feel your heart race as you experience the escape attempt. Best non-fiction thriller I've read. Would be a good beach read but you'd not go near the water. highly recommended.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Escape To Adventure

If you haven't read any books recently on action in World War II, this should be your next book to read. This is the story of the USS Tang, one of the most highly decorated submarines of the war. Near the end of her fifth patrol under command of Capt. Richard O'Kane, she was struck by an errant torpedo and sunk in the Formosa Straits. Only nine crewmen survived, including five who had to escape from the sunken sub as it rested on the bottom in 180 feet of water. Unfortunately for the survivors, this was only the beginning of their ordeal. They were to face over 10 months as prisoners in Japanese POW camps. After repeated beatings, torture and malnutrition, many returned home only to face broken homes, flashbacks of their months of torture, and recurring feelings of guilt that they had survived the cruel deaths of the rest of their crew. The book is well researched and includes much material gleaned from personal interviews with the survivors and many of the families of the crew. A fascinating true story that relates very well to all of us who owe so much to the members of our armed forces who served in the past and those who continue to protect us now.

Fiction/Non-fiction

Despite the good writing I can only give this book one star because I know of untruths presented as truths about my brother Lt. (j.g.) John Heubeck. This book is not supposed to be fiction.

A whole little story was built around my brother that was pure fiction. When I know the facts about my brother ( and a little research could have shown the author the truth), I have to wonder what other fiction there is in this "non-fiction" book.

A compelling, outstanding read

One of the most interesting and thrilling factual books I've read this year. What an amazing story! Well-written and fast-paced; does not leave a lot of unanswered questions as you proceed. I would recommend this highly to anyone.

Ecsape from the Deep by Alex Kershaw

This book paints such a vivid image in your head its like your there through the adrenaline rush of the battles or the life or death escape from 180 ft below sea level. i enjoyed this book so much I am going to get the rest of his books. I would reccomend this book for any person who loves a descriptive thrilling book;especially for people who enjoy war stories. i really makes me appreciate are veterans and what they did and suffered for our country.

Entertaining, but...

This book certainly had potential. Great story, eye-catching cover, but the book didn't live up to expectations. A tale of a legendary American submarine sunk in Japanese waters during WWII, a difficult escape, confinement in POW camps - the book had all the makings of a intriguing and captivating tale, but I was dissappointed. Kershaw gives a cursory and plain review of the event. Granted, his main sources of information were aged submariners who may have been reluctant to relive the incident, but with the acclaim credited to him for his previous works, I expected more. Be it outside information or descriptive writing. The quality of this books reminds me of an intoductory course on creative writing. You could probably get an equally descriptive summary from Wikipedia. Can't reccommend it.

legendary submarine story

alex kershaw has done a remarkable job putting together the courages story of the uss tang. one of the finest submarines who rescued many an allied flyer who if not for this vessel there would be many pilots in japanese hands this amazing ship went into battle countless times and sank untold numbers of japanese warships however a tragic accident caused the uss tang to sink but some of the crew managed to escape but was captured and put into the worst of japanese prisons but never did reveal any of the highest allied information. this book not only has some special photos but it is a story of real heritage and freedom and its needs to be told. great gift idea for a friend , family member or soldier serving over seas. book also has great web sites.

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