The Terrible Hours
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.49 (644 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0061014591 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-12-09 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
While their loved ones waited in unbearable tension on shore, their ultimate fate would depend upon one man, U.S. On the eve of World War II, the Squalus, America's newest submarine, plunged to the bottom of the North Atlantic. Miraculously, thirty-three crew members still survived. Could he actually pluck those men from a watery grave? Or had all his pioneering work been in vain?. Navy officer Charles "Swede" Momsen -- an extraordinary combination of visionary, scientist, and man of action. In this thrilling true account, prize-winning author Peter Maas vividly re-creates a moment-by-moment account of the disaster and the man at its center
Thomas J. Brucia said A good read -- not a great book. This is a relatively short book, considering the topic. That and the writing style limit it. Regards the overwrought style consider some 'purple prose' from page A good read -- not a great book This is a relatively short book, considering the topic. That and the writing style limit it. Regards the overwrought style consider some 'purple prose' from page 33: "everyone in the control room froze, hypnotized"; "This could not be happening!" "With ferocious force, tons of sea were shooting into the engine rooms." Though many find alliteration effective, I feel that it reeks of 'TV journalism'. In many places "The Terrible Hours" gave me the feeling I had dropped into a 'TV docu-drama'. Another instance of Ma. A good read -- not a great book This is a relatively short book, considering the topic. That and the writing style limit it. Regards the overwrought style consider some 'purple prose' from page 33: "everyone in the control room froze, hypnotized"; "This could not be happening!" "With ferocious force, tons of sea were shooting into the engine rooms." Though many find alliteration effective, I feel that it reeks of 'TV journalism'. In many places "The Terrible Hours" gave me the feeling I had dropped into a 'TV docu-drama'. Another instance of Ma. : "everyone in the control room froze, hypnotized"; "This could not be happening!" "With ferocious force, tons of sea were shooting into the engine rooms." Though many find alliteration effective, I feel that it reeks of 'TV journalism'. In many places "The Terrible Hours" gave me the feeling I had dropped into a 'TV docu-drama'. Another instance of Ma. Ironic - Kursk loss as story engrosses I started reading this book August 12, 2000 whilst on a scuba diving trip, two days before the Russians announced their submarine Kursk was lost. Before I heard the news I was already totally engrossed in the information Peter Maas provided. The story of the Squalus and Momsen was inspiring and thought provoking. After the Russian announcement I rapidly read The Terrible Hours to absorbed all the information I could about the Squalus'incredible rescue. It gave me insight into what could be happening at the bottom. A Haunting Tale As I write this review, the world waits to hear of the fate of the Russian submariners aboard the Kursk. When the news first broke, I immediately thought of this book and Swede Momsen. That same night, my sister called me and said, "Have you heard? 'The Terrible Hours' is happening all over again." Neither of us had ever forgotten this book.Peter Maas does a terrific job of recounting Swede Momsen's career in the context of this spectacular rescue. You don't need to be interested in submarines or the Navy - just
"For someone whose formal education had shaped him for duty as a line officer in the US Navy, Momsen was getting into pretty deep water." Conway does an excellent job of portraying the various crew members without turning character into caricature and knots the nerve-wracking, claustrophobic tension of this ill-fated mission in the back of your throat. Like a tough old salt holding forth in a dockside pub, Kevin Conway narrates this riveting maritime drama in a raspy voice well-weathered by sea spray and Lucky Strikes. (Running time: 6 hours, 4 cassettes) --George Laney. Chronicling