Sub: Life on Board with the Hidden Heroes of Britain's Deadliest Force

by Danny Danziger

Book by Danziger, Danny

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2011

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of interviews with serving members of the silent service and some of their partners. Danziger interviews all levels of staff from captains to the lowly but vital cooks.

Gives you a good insight of the mental strength that a man need to serve on these boats. The only tragedy of this is that family life suffers so much, with mens seeing they children almost a series of snapshots as the come and go from family life.

[Mjke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into the world of living on a nuclear submarine. I found all the contributions to be compelling, and rich in detail. Common themes were allowed to emerge as each account was given, but I would have appreciated more from the author himself, on how it feels to be an outsider in this world. A minor niggle though. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Ricardo Motti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super interesting for white middle-aged men like me who love the idea of military life but in full honesty are afraid of spiders.

[M2189 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look at life in the British Royal Navy submarine service from the author being onboard during a cruise and interviewing pretty much all levels on board about life on the boat, off and why they love what they do , as well as training and challenges.

[Jonathan Kind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brilliant book gives a voice to the Silent Service. The author interviews crew members of a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine, guys who spend most of their lives living, working, eating and sleeping underwater, while the majority of the society they protect have no idea of what they do.
This book was fascinating and I loved reading it. The only downside is the author himself is a little annoying - there are a few repetitions and inaccuracies. He insists at one point that all RN vessels are 'dry' i.e. no alcohol, which I didn't think was true but I'm no expert so accepted it - then soon after he mentions the Dolphins ceremony where each man is awarded his Dolphins inside a glass of rum. But the guys and their stories are incredible. I want to read more like this.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read. The author basically devotes individual chapters to interviews with the various guys who work on a submarine. Gets a bit technical as each of the guys have very specific roles. You really have to look up to these guys and look up to their wives and families even more. The interviews with the wives were the most interesting - great contrast to the guys on the subs.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has great potential but the storeys get very repetative and mainly focus on personal lives and not submarine life.passed a few hours ok the train but don't think I would recommend it as an insight to the silent service!