Rising Tide: The Untold Story Of The Russian Submarines That Fought The Cold War by Gary E. Weir

by Gary E. Weir

New Hardcover with dust jacket

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Russia, Naval History, Military History, Nautical, War

Hardcover

First published September 30, 2003

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is mostly a collection of highly personal stories with the back drop of Soviet submarine development. The book is at times exciting and quite illuminating, such as the cause of intense Soviet submarine operations off the coast of America from 1985-87. Since submarine operations on both sides remain classified, this book, much like Blind Man's Bluff, is more anecdotal than analytic or narrative. One really respects the Soviet sailor for taking on a superior opponent with faulty equipment.

I took a star off because the book only rarely rises above its lack of scope. It promises a major reassessment of Groshkov but only partially delivers. Some research seems shoddy; it is hotly debated how much the CIA got out of raising K-129 (I belong to the debacle school of thought). The psychology of the Soviet sailors and officers is hinted at but never fully explicated, leaving one to feel the book was half-finished. The occasional remarks against the Soviet system, while generally accurate, can seem a bit one-sided. More importantly, in light of the abysmal conditions in Russia today, the Soviet Union might have been the only truly functional communist state. This book was certainly written in the high mark of American good feelings about "winning" the Cold War and before Putin made many Russians recall why they miss the days of Brezhnev.

[Tom Sturgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though quite as exciting as Blind Man’s Bluff, this history delivers an important mirror image view into Russian and Soviet Cold War and post Cold War submarining.

It is clear that Russian boats lagged behind Western technology, yet Russian submariner’s will still able to exploit their ships to offset some of the technological lack. Undersea encounters always lead to the Soviet Navy and the U.S. Navy leaving the encounter better equipped for the next.

Overall, the book is a page turner, as the Russian crews and officers were intriguing characters floating in a sea of unnecessary political interference and a general disregard for crew wellbeing.

On the humorous side, the authors repeat the misconception that a nuclear reactor can explode like a fission or thermonuclear weapon, a common lay error.

[Markt5660 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good history of the soviet submarine fleet of the cold war. It's based on interviews with actual soviet sub commanders who pull no punches in describing what they had to deal with to keep their crews alive and motivated. Safety of the crew took an absolute back seat to the mission and the projection of soviet power. Includes a chapter on the post-soviet period and the loss of the Kursk.

[Jeremiah Salyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book should have been a lot more critical of the Russian Navy.
It is not just the same as the U.S. though no one doubts their courage and dedication.
They have a history of maintenance disasters because curiously the lack of the freedom to speak their minds as yard workers has an adverse effect on quality control.
Anyways, a good book over all but could have been less biased.

[Kevin Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Cold War Submarine Veteran, I found this most interesting. To serve under water for you country is not an easy job. Most people would have a hard time doing it. I thank the author for the information given here and send my respects to All those who have served under the sea. I recommend this book.

[Kurtis Crake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this based on other Gary Weir works. If you are looking for a review of cold war submarine activity from the Soviet/Russian perspective, this is one of the better I've found. Pretty extensive section on Kursk.

[C.H. Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on Soviet submariners and their boats. Many fascinating accounts of Soviet sub exploits and accidents both. The material comes from the authors' interviews with former Soviet admirals and captains. Great read.

[Tres Herndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting stories about the Soviet silent service. Safety definitely took a back seat to rapid construction and innovation. The sailors on the boats were consummate professionals and did an amazing job with often shoddy equipment. Worthy adversaries to the West during the Cold War.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressively researched account of the development of the Soviet submarine force during the decades of the cold war.

[Gregory · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped reading, not what I expected.

[Josh Zlatkin]

Interesting but sad read about the awesome technology humans have created and yet failed in some cases to maintain properly.

[Petr Toman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Čekal jsem víc. Příběhu, i těch odtajnenych už je víc a dají se najít i jinde a lépe popsány.

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but I didn't feel it was great, just average. I had read years ago the book "Blind Man's Bluff" about the US submarine forces and feel that was a better book from what I remember.

This book covers the history behind the Soviet naval build up as they competed with the US during the cold war.

The story is interesting that in attempting to match (and they sometimes exceeded) the US in technology and ability, they pushed their technology and men to the limits and beyond. One can't help but have admiration for the personal serving aboard the submarines. But in reading of the shoddy construction of their subs and the seemingly frequent accidents it's a wonder that there weren't more deaths.

The Russian command and control structure seemed to be very weak too. Submarine commanders were allowed whether to decide to use nuclear tipped torpedoes for example vs my view that in the US Navy the use of nuclear weapons has to be cleared with headquarters.

It's a wonder we didn't stumble into WWIII.

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone interested in submarines. It concentrates on the USSR submarine fleet. This book has many things going for it. It contains a very good background history of the Russian/ USSR navy. It put many historical news items that one may have only heard in piecemeal fashion, in retrospect, such as the various disabled shouldering USSR subs that literally popped-up. All in all, I thought this book provided invaluable new information.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the Cold War strategy of the Soviet Navy. Good content thanks to interviews with high-ranking Soviet officers during the time period. However, has no real flow to the book, which takes away from the overall enjoyment of it.

[Mark Bringman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found parts engaging - for instance the chapter on the Cuban missile crisis. But in general I find history more engaging when you can either focus on specific characters or get a more sweeping story. This educated me about a topic of which I knew little... but sadly the narrative was lacking

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read from the Soviet side of the submarine espionage and dogfights under the water that took place in the Cold War. Filled with personal accounts of various Russian sub commanders, the book is easy to read and exciting. Even includes inside accounts of the loss of the Kursk in 2000.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Another book about cold war submarine activity. This one was a treasure trove of info from the Soviet side of the cold war.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of Russian submarine operations in the Cold War, makes a great companion read to Blind Mans Bluff

[Mark Phinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history of the Soviet and later Russian submarine forces. Weir documents far too many needless tragedies inflicted upon the brave submariners.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can read the review here

http://nursepastorfatherhusband.blogs...

[Roy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't usually read nonfiction. What can you say about them? Mostly they are just collections of facts. While this was interesting, it didn't move me. As my two stars indicate, it was just OK.

[Yong Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read "Rising Tide" by Weir & Boyne, tale of Soviet submariners in the Cold War. Casual disregard for life is a hallmark of Russian history.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting. A must read for technoids and history buffs.