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USS Towers #1
Sea of Shadows
(Originally published as TORPEDO)
OUT GUNNED... OUT MANEUVERED... OUT THOUGHT... THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE IS TO CHANGE THE RULES.
A minor accident at a German nuclear power plant, a Biological Warfare attack on the British Embassy in Washington, DC, and a secret arms deal combine to drive a trusted NATO Ally into an illegal alliance with a rogue Middle Eastern state. With the world hovering on the brink of war, a handful of U.S. Navy warships must track down and destroy a wolfpack of state-of-the-art submarines.
Their enemy is skilled in deception, and incredibly lethal. Out-gunned, out-maneuvered, and out-thought, the U.S. Navy crews must throw the rulebook out the window, and become every bit as devious and deadly as their enemy.
If they fail, the consequences are unthinkable...
"A timeless warrior epic. Jeff Edwards spins a stunning and irresistibly-believable tale of savage modern naval combat." - JOE BUFF, Bestselling author of 'SEAS OF CRISIS, ' and 'CRUSH DEPTH'
"Edwards wields politics and naval combat tactics with a skill equal to the acknowledged masters of military fiction." - THE MILITARY PRESS
"... as close as you can get to naval surface combat without being shot at. Jeff Edwards has penned a fast, no-holds-barred thriller that never lets up. Highly recommended." - JACK DuBRUL, Bestselling author of 'THE SILENT SEA, ' and 'HAVOC'
OUT GUNNED... OUT MANEUVERED... OUT THOUGHT... THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE IS TO CHANGE THE RULES.
A minor accident at a German nuclear power plant, a Biological Warfare attack on the British Embassy in Washington, DC, and a secret arms deal combine to drive a trusted NATO Ally into an illegal alliance with a rogue Middle Eastern state. With the world hovering on the brink of war, a handful of U.S. Navy warships must track down and destroy a wolfpack of state-of-the-art submarines.
Their enemy is skilled in deception, and incredibly lethal. Out-gunned, out-maneuvered, and out-thought, the U.S. Navy crews must throw the rulebook out the window, and become every bit as devious and deadly as their enemy.
If they fail, the consequences are unthinkable...
"A timeless warrior epic. Jeff Edwards spins a stunning and irresistibly-believable tale of savage modern naval combat." - JOE BUFF, Bestselling author of 'SEAS OF CRISIS, ' and 'CRUSH DEPTH'
"Edwards wields politics and naval combat tactics with a skill equal to the acknowledged masters of military fiction." - THE MILITARY PRESS
"... as close as you can get to naval surface combat without being shot at. Jeff Edwards has penned a fast, no-holds-barred thriller that never lets up. Highly recommended." - JACK DuBRUL, Bestselling author of 'THE SILENT SEA, ' and 'HAVOC'
366 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2004
695 people are currently reading
1032 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Edwards
56 books131 followersJeff Edwards is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, and an Anti-Submarine Warfare Specialist. His naval career spanned more than two decades and half the globe - from chasing Soviet nuclear attack submarines during the Cold War, to launching cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf. Collectively, his novels have won the Admiral Nimitz Award for Outstanding Naval Fiction, the Reader’s Choice Award, the Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award for Adventure Writing, and the American Author Medal. He lives in California, where he consults for the Department of Defense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
July 11, 2011
Jeff Edwards' Sea of Shadows (Stealth Books 2010) is a marvelous military thriller, especially if you're a SWO officer serving on an American Destroyer. The story posits an oil-impoverished German nation, forced to trade some of the most modern weapons in the world to terrorists to get the oil the country can't survive without. The plot revolves around the US and Britain's efforts to stop delivery of these weapons--which include 3 ultra-modern submarines--as they transit from Germany, through the Med, down the Red Sea and almost to their port in the mythical nation of Siraj without starting the next world war. Throughout, the reader is regaled with political strategizing and naval battles the likes of which haven't been seen since WWII, nor shared so succinctly since Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.
If there is a protagonist in the story, it is a 20-year surface warfare veteran, Chief Petty Officer McPherson on the USS Towers. As the story unfolds, the Towers is battered by the enemy, but keeps coming back with creative attacks and strategies, often thanks to the out-of-the-box thinking of the Chief Petty Officer and the support of her Captain. Edwards does a masterful job of building suspense with tremendous detail in Naval strategy--if you're a casual reader of military thrillers, you might even think there's too much detail--and believable insight in the politics behind planning war-aversion strategies.
My only complaint about this naval thriller is that the action takes too long to start. Thrillers should jomp right in. this one takes close t five pages before we get the first crisis. Overall, Sea of Shadows has good plot pacing, lots of intelligent action with riveting climaxes, exactly what makes me want to read Edwards' next book.
You can buy this book on Amazon for $12.99, but I'd suggest you visit Edwards website a get it free--but hurry. That's a limited time offer.
If there is a protagonist in the story, it is a 20-year surface warfare veteran, Chief Petty Officer McPherson on the USS Towers. As the story unfolds, the Towers is battered by the enemy, but keeps coming back with creative attacks and strategies, often thanks to the out-of-the-box thinking of the Chief Petty Officer and the support of her Captain. Edwards does a masterful job of building suspense with tremendous detail in Naval strategy--if you're a casual reader of military thrillers, you might even think there's too much detail--and believable insight in the politics behind planning war-aversion strategies.
My only complaint about this naval thriller is that the action takes too long to start. Thrillers should jomp right in. this one takes close t five pages before we get the first crisis. Overall, Sea of Shadows has good plot pacing, lots of intelligent action with riveting climaxes, exactly what makes me want to read Edwards' next book.
You can buy this book on Amazon for $12.99, but I'd suggest you visit Edwards website a get it free--but hurry. That's a limited time offer.
January 8, 2023
As I read more of this book, the stars started to come down. The battles were quite repetitive and I found it quite hard to believe that the only way they could shake off a torpedo was to “crack the whip” and make a few hard turns with no other countermeasures. Really? Also the premise was quite unbelievable with Germany going rogue and a president who refused to send all available assets to help kill the subs on point of principle. Therefore, he got hundreds of his sailors killed. What also made me a little grumpy was the typo of “Nurofen”, now known as “Nurosen” it seems. I hate typos in books. I don’t think I’ll read any more in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2012
Sea of shadows by Jeff Edwards
Jeff Edwards is going to be a force to reckon with in the genre of military fiction. I have always been fond of the down to the sea in ships war stories. Mr. Edwards crafts a plausible story considering the conditions of the Middle East and the world’s economic conditions.
In the US we are all aware of our dependence on foreign oil for energy needs. Mister Edwards uses energy dependency as the fuel for the plot of the story. There are clear underlying political considerations that make this plot so plausible and frightening. Although the underpinnings of the story have the ring of truth they in no way detract from the intense actions and heroic feats.
The book shows the complexity of a world economy and how economic conditions impact the closest of allies. This is an excellent action adventure story. It is not a political or economic treatise but it is clear that Edwards did a serious amount of homework to write this book.
I particularly enjoyed the character development and the depictions of real to life people. Edwards showed both heroic and normal behavior in a compelling style. The stresses of command decisions and the facing of loss were palatably portrayed as was the ponderous and pandemic motions of bureaucracy. One has to wonder how many military disasters were created by the lavish display of the “peter principle” and the dependency on rank as opposed to talent.
I really enjoyed Edward’s science fiction novel Dome City Blues and I am delighted to see he brought that expertise to the military fiction arena as well.
I highly recommend this book!
Jeff Edwards is going to be a force to reckon with in the genre of military fiction. I have always been fond of the down to the sea in ships war stories. Mr. Edwards crafts a plausible story considering the conditions of the Middle East and the world’s economic conditions.
In the US we are all aware of our dependence on foreign oil for energy needs. Mister Edwards uses energy dependency as the fuel for the plot of the story. There are clear underlying political considerations that make this plot so plausible and frightening. Although the underpinnings of the story have the ring of truth they in no way detract from the intense actions and heroic feats.
The book shows the complexity of a world economy and how economic conditions impact the closest of allies. This is an excellent action adventure story. It is not a political or economic treatise but it is clear that Edwards did a serious amount of homework to write this book.
I particularly enjoyed the character development and the depictions of real to life people. Edwards showed both heroic and normal behavior in a compelling style. The stresses of command decisions and the facing of loss were palatably portrayed as was the ponderous and pandemic motions of bureaucracy. One has to wonder how many military disasters were created by the lavish display of the “peter principle” and the dependency on rank as opposed to talent.
I really enjoyed Edward’s science fiction novel Dome City Blues and I am delighted to see he brought that expertise to the military fiction arena as well.
I highly recommend this book!
January 16, 2015
In dire economic straights, Germany decides to sell four state of the art diesel submarines to a fictional middle eastern country currently under a UN blockade. The USS Towers, a Navy stealth destroyer on station in the Persian Gulf gets tasked with stopping the subs from reaching their destination and destabilizing the region. These are not your World War 2 submarines however. They are German engineered underwater killing machines that prove incredibly difficult to destroy. For example, I wasn't aware that the hi tech torpedoes used by today's navies are virtually unstoppable. These awesome weapons, together with the fact that the German Navy uses the same NATO playbook as the US Navy, sets up an original plot premise for this outstanding, fast paced military thriller. I would have rated it 5 stars but for the authors penchant for using the late Tom Clancy's techno overkill which I thought dragged the pace. Overall though, an excellent military thriller that will keep you turning the pages late into the evening.
March 31, 2021
One of the best war/naval battle books I've read in a very long time. Looking forward to reading more by Mr. Edwards!
October 8, 2018
One of the better military action-suspense books I've read recently.
April 23, 2014
One Word: YES!
I won this book in a Goodreads 'First Reads' giveaway.
Can I just tell you, how much I LOVE free books! ESPECIALLY ones that are signed, that are AWESOME!
This book is pretty much non-stop action from start to finish, and it was QUITE the finish! The explanations and detail that have gone into this book are incredible, and even though you kind of think you know how it's going to end, the way that it ends is still quite intense and not exactly as cut and dry as you'd like to think before you get to it. It's a nail biter for sure.
I wish this book were a documentary!
I do NOT wish that this situation happened in real life (although it really does happen, albeit to a slightly less level, on a daily basis in this world) but - the way Jeff Edwards explains the combat, and the way that the torpedo's mechanics are explained .. I REALLY wish that I could SEE it happening, and view in detail, visually, what he's so greatly explaining in words.
Another awesome thing, is that I may be able to get my husband, who is absolutely NOT a reader, to read this book, just because of the sheer quality and quantity of tactical warfare and suspense.
This books is also funny.
There are mentions of several nicely places items, such as Tactical Goats and Top Notch, highly expensive Naval gear that is somehow foiled by a potato ... You'll have to read it to get that one ... haha.
Anyways!
This is a great book. One of the best I've read in quite awhile, and I highly look forward to buying Jeff Edwards secondary book, "The Seventh Angel"
GO FORTH AND BUY I SAY!
- CJ
I won this book in a Goodreads 'First Reads' giveaway.
Can I just tell you, how much I LOVE free books! ESPECIALLY ones that are signed, that are AWESOME!
This book is pretty much non-stop action from start to finish, and it was QUITE the finish! The explanations and detail that have gone into this book are incredible, and even though you kind of think you know how it's going to end, the way that it ends is still quite intense and not exactly as cut and dry as you'd like to think before you get to it. It's a nail biter for sure.
I wish this book were a documentary!
I do NOT wish that this situation happened in real life (although it really does happen, albeit to a slightly less level, on a daily basis in this world) but - the way Jeff Edwards explains the combat, and the way that the torpedo's mechanics are explained .. I REALLY wish that I could SEE it happening, and view in detail, visually, what he's so greatly explaining in words.
Another awesome thing, is that I may be able to get my husband, who is absolutely NOT a reader, to read this book, just because of the sheer quality and quantity of tactical warfare and suspense.
This books is also funny.
There are mentions of several nicely places items, such as Tactical Goats and Top Notch, highly expensive Naval gear that is somehow foiled by a potato ... You'll have to read it to get that one ... haha.
Anyways!
This is a great book. One of the best I've read in quite awhile, and I highly look forward to buying Jeff Edwards secondary book, "The Seventh Angel"
GO FORTH AND BUY I SAY!
- CJ
May 3, 2015
Not recommended. The plot isn't close to believable. The only good thing I can say is that there is action nearly from the beginning to the end, aside from some useless historical chapters from some other book that were quoted in. The decision not to use the full power of the US military to stop the "bad guys" is what kills the book for me. The US president risks everything just to prove something. It's so unrealistic, it's absurd.
*spoiler*
Germany sells some subs to the middle east, against UN resolution, and decides to blow up a bunch of US and UK ships trying to stop them. The US president decides to go one-on-one to kill them and prove the US navy is better. It's like a big cock fight. This single aspect of the novel kills the entire book for me.
*spoiler*
Germany sells some subs to the middle east, against UN resolution, and decides to blow up a bunch of US and UK ships trying to stop them. The US president decides to go one-on-one to kill them and prove the US navy is better. It's like a big cock fight. This single aspect of the novel kills the entire book for me.
November 17, 2021
Nail biting, Hair standing
The author uses torpedo threading through the story line. Torpedo triggered US participation in WWI. Torpedo woke up "the giant sleeping lion" in WWII. In the 21sth century, torpedoes again became the final trigger of WWIII. The author's vivid illustration of modern sea battle, advanced weapon system of attack and counter-attack, keeps readers wanting more. The author's down to earth description of US military seniority and training, loyalty, doctrine or unconventional, keeps readers glued to the book.
The author uses torpedo threading through the story line. Torpedo triggered US participation in WWI. Torpedo woke up "the giant sleeping lion" in WWII. In the 21sth century, torpedoes again became the final trigger of WWIII. The author's vivid illustration of modern sea battle, advanced weapon system of attack and counter-attack, keeps readers wanting more. The author's down to earth description of US military seniority and training, loyalty, doctrine or unconventional, keeps readers glued to the book.
November 26, 2017
True to life
Even though I have been out of service a few years, this book is written with tactical knowledge in a way that a layman could understand. Set in today's political environment this book could come to life at any time. The author does not sugar coat and being a former Machinist Mate I could see some of the common errors that grew to major problems.
Would highly recommend reading but be careful you won't want to stop.
Even though I have been out of service a few years, this book is written with tactical knowledge in a way that a layman could understand. Set in today's political environment this book could come to life at any time. The author does not sugar coat and being a former Machinist Mate I could see some of the common errors that grew to major problems.
Would highly recommend reading but be careful you won't want to stop.
March 26, 2021
This is a top notch naval action thriller. Jeff Edwards crafted a very entertaining and informative story and both the political and mission side are well balanced and integrated. Terrific characters and it was refreshing to see female officers getting the same respect as their male counterparts. Edwards even managed to work some fine humor into this novel with the microwaved potato incident. I'll definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
February 26, 2018
This is the first surface navy novel I've read. It's an entertaining read. I appreciate the nod to the enlisted as well as the sailors. There isn't one true hero but a team that works to accomplish its mission.
It grabs your attention and at times, demands it!
I don't read novels often, but this was a guilty pleasure.
It grabs your attention and at times, demands it!
I don't read novels often, but this was a guilty pleasure.
June 23, 2018
I really like military novels especially if they are well crafted and move along at a good pace. This novel was certainly one of the very good ones. As a former Navy Hospital Corpsman in the Vietnam war I especially appreciated that this was a naval focused novel. It moves at a fast but credible pace with enough detail to seem to be real.
April 10, 2019
A real good read.
I found this book exciting and fast reading. It had that ability to make you want to go on to see what was going to happen. The author obviously did his research and gave you the feeling that it was an accurate depiction of a U.S. Navy destroyer, as well as submarine warfare. I recommend this book and plan to read others by Jeff Edwards.
I found this book exciting and fast reading. It had that ability to make you want to go on to see what was going to happen. The author obviously did his research and gave you the feeling that it was an accurate depiction of a U.S. Navy destroyer, as well as submarine warfare. I recommend this book and plan to read others by Jeff Edwards.
October 19, 2021
Great Navy Story
As a retired Naval Officer I found this a riveting tale of a courageous Captain and crew. As a previous destroyer sailor it particularly held my interest? The Tower was a much more modern ship than the ones I served on, but we're nevertheless a thrill to witness in action.
As a retired Naval Officer I found this a riveting tale of a courageous Captain and crew. As a previous destroyer sailor it particularly held my interest? The Tower was a much more modern ship than the ones I served on, but we're nevertheless a thrill to witness in action.
February 11, 2022
My New Favorite Book and Author!!
Just like Clancy in Red Storm Rising, Sea of Shadows is clearly superb! Jeff Edwards did his homework, knows his subject and crafted the best war novel in the past 30+ years! I absolutely couldn't put it down!
Thank you Jeff, and keep them coming!
Just like Clancy in Red Storm Rising, Sea of Shadows is clearly superb! Jeff Edwards did his homework, knows his subject and crafted the best war novel in the past 30+ years! I absolutely couldn't put it down!
Thank you Jeff, and keep them coming!
May 18, 2017
Intense
Tension is palpable throughout this story. The main characters are developed enough to get the reader invested and the action feels realistic. Naval warfare is a frightening prospect and it's well done here.
Tension is palpable throughout this story. The main characters are developed enough to get the reader invested and the action feels realistic. Naval warfare is a frightening prospect and it's well done here.
July 29, 2017
A well written story of Naval Anti-Submarine Warfare - ASW.
One thing that I had trouble believing, was that German politicians,
would double cross NATO allies;
I could see French politicians doing so... :)
Overall a good read.
RECOMMENDED
One thing that I had trouble believing, was that German politicians,
would double cross NATO allies;
I could see French politicians doing so... :)
Overall a good read.
RECOMMENDED
August 19, 2017
Very well written military action thriller. U.S. anti sub warfare vs a wolf pack of German U-Boats being ferried to the Middle East for use by a fictional tyrant. Plenty of action involving U.S., British, and German military.
If you like contemporary naval action, you will enjoy this book.
If you like contemporary naval action, you will enjoy this book.
January 20, 2018
A book that you can hardly put down
Excellent story telling. Great detail. Very realistic action packed story. Really makes you appreciate the bravery and sacrifice that our heroes in the military go through.
Excellent story telling. Great detail. Very realistic action packed story. Really makes you appreciate the bravery and sacrifice that our heroes in the military go through.
March 14, 2018
A good read kept me from putting the book down waiting for the next book an enjoyable read it did not seem formulaic
This was an enjoyable read a lot of a action not too formulaic action filled want to read the next one
This was an enjoyable read a lot of a action not too formulaic action filled want to read the next one
February 1, 2023
Wow, apparently there are a few books with this name. This is another one of those $0 kindle deals I dnf'd. Spoilers ahead.
It ran afoul of one of my pet peeves: alternating/changing POVs. I don't like it because I'm vested in a story and then suddenly I have to reset. It's like reading several books at the same time. I know with some books, the POVs all converge but there is no guarantee. With some books, it just does a bad job of it and I don't have a big wish to roll the dice and hope it's one that does a good job. When I'm reading a book, I want to be comfortable and be led down the plot, with the author holding my hand, not been thrown from one plot line to another.
This book started off well enough. Commander Jim Bowie is the captain of missile ship (destroyer?). A couple of fast small attack boats approach and paint the ship with targeting lasers, apparently ready to fire off small rockets. Is it a feint or not? Bowie makes the right decision and the crises passes. I turn the page expecting to see what happens next. But it's some other POV.
So I finish the next POV expecting to go back to Bowie. But then it was another POV. I liked the first POV but the second POV turned me off. It was about the Chinese ambassador to the US. To be honest it was a bit condescending and the author wrote the ambassador like some strange Oriental creature instead of just a normal diplomat. Part of that was the ambassador professing to believe in communist and social ideals. Puhleeze, no sane Chinese person has believed that since Deng Xiaoping opened up China in the 1980's. Especially not a diplomat entrusted with the American embassy.
That wasn't the last straw, but the next POV which started in the middle of something not explained was. I do not want to be hunting for the plot and dnf'd because I didn't want to read another story.
It ran afoul of one of my pet peeves: alternating/changing POVs. I don't like it because I'm vested in a story and then suddenly I have to reset. It's like reading several books at the same time. I know with some books, the POVs all converge but there is no guarantee. With some books, it just does a bad job of it and I don't have a big wish to roll the dice and hope it's one that does a good job. When I'm reading a book, I want to be comfortable and be led down the plot, with the author holding my hand, not been thrown from one plot line to another.
This book started off well enough. Commander Jim Bowie is the captain of missile ship (destroyer?). A couple of fast small attack boats approach and paint the ship with targeting lasers, apparently ready to fire off small rockets. Is it a feint or not? Bowie makes the right decision and the crises passes. I turn the page expecting to see what happens next. But it's some other POV.
So I finish the next POV expecting to go back to Bowie. But then it was another POV. I liked the first POV but the second POV turned me off. It was about the Chinese ambassador to the US. To be honest it was a bit condescending and the author wrote the ambassador like some strange Oriental creature instead of just a normal diplomat. Part of that was the ambassador professing to believe in communist and social ideals. Puhleeze, no sane Chinese person has believed that since Deng Xiaoping opened up China in the 1980's. Especially not a diplomat entrusted with the American embassy.
That wasn't the last straw, but the next POV which started in the middle of something not explained was. I do not want to be hunting for the plot and dnf'd because I didn't want to read another story.
August 7, 2021
This book has been in my ebook collection for a while waiting to be read. I just finished Edwards' The Damocles Agenda and really enjoyed it, so time to dust off this book.
The set up was a bit over the top for my tastes, but an outrageous act is sometimes needed to get a great story going. Lots of high tech and logical action. Why is it that my personal "go to" action is to just nuke the bastard? That would not really be a very good "measured response", hence why I liked this buildup and conclusion. (Also why I am not in charge of our nation's armed response in times of global conflict.) Although some of the storyline was way too predictable.
I did think the hero's reward at the conclusion was a bit underwhelming, but we can't loose our most effective Captain to a promotional desk job at the Pentagon. That would lead to a less satisfying sequel. Kind of the problem we had with Captain James T. Kirk promoting to Admiral.
I will have to add our USS Towers to my to be read list.
Have a GoodReads and include Jeff Edwards into your favorite authors list.
The set up was a bit over the top for my tastes, but an outrageous act is sometimes needed to get a great story going. Lots of high tech and logical action. Why is it that my personal "go to" action is to just nuke the bastard? That would not really be a very good "measured response", hence why I liked this buildup and conclusion. (Also why I am not in charge of our nation's armed response in times of global conflict.) Although some of the storyline was way too predictable.
I did think the hero's reward at the conclusion was a bit underwhelming, but we can't loose our most effective Captain to a promotional desk job at the Pentagon. That would lead to a less satisfying sequel. Kind of the problem we had with Captain James T. Kirk promoting to Admiral.
I will have to add our USS Towers to my to be read list.
Have a GoodReads and include Jeff Edwards into your favorite authors list.
April 23, 2021
I read this halfway and had to stop. This book is soo implausible and unrealistic it makes it impossible to enjoy. The most ridiculous premise for a book I imaginable. "Crazy environmentalist" make Germany wind down their nuclear power program which leaves them in an energy crunch. As opposed to buying energy sources on the market they decide they must sell a pack of sophisticated submarines to a fictional middle eastern dictatorship. Since the evil dictatorship has a UN arms embargo naturally Germany starts sinking American and British ships enforcing the embargo without warning, double crossing their NATO allies. Not only is this presented as logical and less economically damaging than buying energy these countries don't seem all that freaked out and declare war....
And at that point I had to put this book down and write a one star review.
And at that point I had to put this book down and write a one star review.
April 22, 2019
Naval Warfare at it's best.
I have to admit that I found this book slow to start but it's well worth sticking with it. The further you get into it the more interesting it becomes. I would say this is definitely a book for naval warfare officianados with all the naval jargon but this is also what adds to the realism. Towards the end I just could not put it down. I was constantly reminded of the excellent Robert Mitchum movie The Enemy Below , about sub hunting in WW2. If you enjoyed this movie I think you'd enjoy this book.
The only thing I found odd was the inclusion of a history of the torpedo and eventually I ended up skipping these chapters to get back to the story.
But all in all a thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended.
I have to admit that I found this book slow to start but it's well worth sticking with it. The further you get into it the more interesting it becomes. I would say this is definitely a book for naval warfare officianados with all the naval jargon but this is also what adds to the realism. Towards the end I just could not put it down. I was constantly reminded of the excellent Robert Mitchum movie The Enemy Below , about sub hunting in WW2. If you enjoyed this movie I think you'd enjoy this book.
The only thing I found odd was the inclusion of a history of the torpedo and eventually I ended up skipping these chapters to get back to the story.
But all in all a thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended.
April 5, 2020
The problem with some war stories is over detailing and making the narrative sound more like the transcript of criminal investigation interview. And that is the problem with this. The narrative is dry, dull, too technical and repetitive. I'm sure there are some that would like this level of detail but not me. The reasoning behind the events in a novel should be sound but they are not in this book. The cause of the action in this is just totally ridiculous. Instead of deploying a reasonable well balanced force to defeat the enemy, a small force with limited capabilities and no backup, is deployed to find and attack a force of submarines.
This was barely enjoyable but the modern nature does make up for some of the things lacking.
This was barely enjoyable but the modern nature does make up for some of the things lacking.
January 25, 2023
A good read, but cold.
Reading this book felt cold, like reading a post action report but with characters added to it in an attempt to give it flavor. As a reader, you felt for some, hated others, but didn't really know any of them beyond the surface. Even the main characters were decidedly hollow.
The action itself was also cold, but in an analytical way that is sadly appropriate to our newer computer driven and somewhat videogamey methods of warfare. The tactics of warfare were well described though, and despite being written entirely from the fly-on-the-wall perspective which was responsible for at least part of the after action report feel, you did end up engaged in the action and outcome.
Reading this book felt cold, like reading a post action report but with characters added to it in an attempt to give it flavor. As a reader, you felt for some, hated others, but didn't really know any of them beyond the surface. Even the main characters were decidedly hollow.
The action itself was also cold, but in an analytical way that is sadly appropriate to our newer computer driven and somewhat videogamey methods of warfare. The tactics of warfare were well described though, and despite being written entirely from the fly-on-the-wall perspective which was responsible for at least part of the after action report feel, you did end up engaged in the action and outcome.
August 9, 2017
Engrossing naval warfare
Jeff Edwards' attention to detail at the highest level made "Sea of Shadows" both technically pleasing and highly entertaining. The history of torpedo warfare was educational and brought new meaning to the horrors of battles at sea. I found this story to be well-paced, adventurous and a pleasure to read. The naval descriptions were on level for a reader without military experience yet accurate enough that any active or retired service member could respect the work. The political playbook was a nice side plot that made the story that much more believable and pulse-pounding as the action sequences. Highly recommend this book!
Jeff Edwards' attention to detail at the highest level made "Sea of Shadows" both technically pleasing and highly entertaining. The history of torpedo warfare was educational and brought new meaning to the horrors of battles at sea. I found this story to be well-paced, adventurous and a pleasure to read. The naval descriptions were on level for a reader without military experience yet accurate enough that any active or retired service member could respect the work. The political playbook was a nice side plot that made the story that much more believable and pulse-pounding as the action sequences. Highly recommend this book!
July 19, 2018
Did you use Obama as model for president?
Read many of your books and most were good but this one sucked. Are you another progressive liberal or just pretending to be? This president shouldn't be impeached he should be shot. Our current president says I'd rather do something bad politically for the right reasons than right politically and wrong for theUSA. AND BY THE WAY, YOU DO KNOW WE HAVE AN AIRFORCE right? America first means Americans first. Screw the UN and NATO If they won't support us let them buy their gas and oil from Russia.
Read many of your books and most were good but this one sucked. Are you another progressive liberal or just pretending to be? This president shouldn't be impeached he should be shot. Our current president says I'd rather do something bad politically for the right reasons than right politically and wrong for theUSA. AND BY THE WAY, YOU DO KNOW WE HAVE AN AIRFORCE right? America first means Americans first. Screw the UN and NATO If they won't support us let them buy their gas and oil from Russia.
May 11, 2017
Clancy like and enjoyablr
I did enjoy this book but I found using Germany as the "bad guy" was implausible. However, technically I found this book to be more authentic and real than Clancy's Red Storm Rising. Also the author's request to lend this book to a serviceman or a vet is great.
I did enjoy this book but I found using Germany as the "bad guy" was implausible. However, technically I found this book to be more authentic and real than Clancy's Red Storm Rising. Also the author's request to lend this book to a serviceman or a vet is great.
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