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The War No One Wanted: War of the Submarine: Book 2
No one wants war.
But no nation has the guts to stop it.
Alex Coleman had a chance to end World War III before it started...instead, he lost an unwinnable battle. Now, he finally has command of his own submarine, but USS Jimmy Carter is old enough to drink, his crew is a few beers short of a six pack, and no one—particularly the admiral who hates him—expects him to make a difference.
It doesn’t help that the U.S. Navy and their allies started the war on the wrong foot. No one wanted war, or planned for it, but a series of unrelated incidents, mix-ups, and greedy grabs for ocean-floor real estate escalated straight into a shooting war that no one knows how to stop. Now submariners like Alex are on the front lines, fighting against overwhelming odds—and finding out that American technology no longer holds the edge it once did. Enemy subs are fast, their torpedoes are faster, and both are quieter than ever before.
Driving around in the oldest attack submarine in the Navy means Alex knows that better than anyone. Jimmy Carter still has life left in her, but proving that to his superiors is the hard part. His boat keeps getting relegated to convoy duty while newer boats take the fight to the enemy...and die doing it.
Meanwhile, Alex juggles his misfit crew with a commodore who wants to rip his boat out from under him and send her to the breakers. All he wants is one chance. Just one.
Because no one ever taught Alex Coleman how to quit.
The War No One Wanted is book 2 in the series War of the Submarine, also published as Season 2 of the War of the Submarine serial on Kindle Vella. The book version has been expanded with additional scenes and chapters not available in the serial.
It doesn’t help that the U.S. Navy and their allies started the war on the wrong foot. No one wanted war, or planned for it, but a series of unrelated incidents, mix-ups, and greedy grabs for ocean-floor real estate escalated straight into a shooting war that no one knows how to stop. Now submariners like Alex are on the front lines, fighting against overwhelming odds—and finding out that American technology no longer holds the edge it once did. Enemy subs are fast, their torpedoes are faster, and both are quieter than ever before.
Driving around in the oldest attack submarine in the Navy means Alex knows that better than anyone. Jimmy Carter still has life left in her, but proving that to his superiors is the hard part. His boat keeps getting relegated to convoy duty while newer boats take the fight to the enemy...and die doing it.
Meanwhile, Alex juggles his misfit crew with a commodore who wants to rip his boat out from under him and send her to the breakers. All he wants is one chance. Just one.
Because no one ever taught Alex Coleman how to quit.
The War No One Wanted is book 2 in the series War of the Submarine, also published as Season 2 of the War of the Submarine serial on Kindle Vella. The book version has been expanded with additional scenes and chapters not available in the serial.
- GenresFiction
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2023
306 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
R.G. Roberts
13 books344 followersR.G. Roberts is the author of fantasy, military science fiction, and alternate history novels and serial fiction, currently publishing on Amazon and Kindle Vella.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 27, 2025
Well crafted characters
Not a Navy vet but have other military experience. Officers seem like real life; the mix of good, mediocre, self serving, and the bad. The characters don't come across flat and the senior officer politicking seems authentic. Pace makes for a good read. Enjoyed the first two books and the prologue as well. I don't know surface or submarine warfare but the book all seems plausible. Good mix of excitement and the big picture. Definitely see that the author draws inspiration from the early days of WWII and not just mentions it in passing. Glad to hear that someone is thinking of how the logistics, resupply, and personnel replacement of a peer level war on the other side of the globe would have a huge negative impact.
Not a Navy vet but have other military experience. Officers seem like real life; the mix of good, mediocre, self serving, and the bad. The characters don't come across flat and the senior officer politicking seems authentic. Pace makes for a good read. Enjoyed the first two books and the prologue as well. I don't know surface or submarine warfare but the book all seems plausible. Good mix of excitement and the big picture. Definitely see that the author draws inspiration from the early days of WWII and not just mentions it in passing. Glad to hear that someone is thinking of how the logistics, resupply, and personnel replacement of a peer level war on the other side of the globe would have a huge negative impact.
March 20, 2025
Want to learn about submarine war tactics?
I started this series because I wanted to check out a view of WWW 3. Not quite what I expected but it is an interesting tale on US nonpreparedness, especially the lack of appropriate training for wartime decisions.
I was somewhat overwhelmed by my lack of understanding naval terms and battle descriptions. I did not however appreciate the grammar and spelling mistakes which made it more difficult. However I am now trapped in finding what's around the next corner. Which is to say it's well enough written to keep my interest. Thanks R.G. Roberts.
I started this series because I wanted to check out a view of WWW 3. Not quite what I expected but it is an interesting tale on US nonpreparedness, especially the lack of appropriate training for wartime decisions.
I was somewhat overwhelmed by my lack of understanding naval terms and battle descriptions. I did not however appreciate the grammar and spelling mistakes which made it more difficult. However I am now trapped in finding what's around the next corner. Which is to say it's well enough written to keep my interest. Thanks R.G. Roberts.
November 10, 2023
An excellent book!
The book just walks the line between not telling enough details & giving the juicy details. The story keep my attention throughout the book. It was exciting and thrilling from the beginning to the end. The story had a funny twist right at the end. I look forward to reading the next installment of the series. Kudos to M. Roberts!
The book just walks the line between not telling enough details & giving the juicy details. The story keep my attention throughout the book. It was exciting and thrilling from the beginning to the end. The story had a funny twist right at the end. I look forward to reading the next installment of the series. Kudos to M. Roberts!
February 16, 2024
Must read at least twice
Having tested components of the mark 48 torpedo and the firing systems on board a submarine, I found this book fascinating to understand from a captain and crews perspective how harrowing it can be in a war time situation. Excellent descriptions of life aboard in harms way!
Having tested components of the mark 48 torpedo and the firing systems on board a submarine, I found this book fascinating to understand from a captain and crews perspective how harrowing it can be in a war time situation. Excellent descriptions of life aboard in harms way!
January 30, 2026
I am really enjoying the books in this series. This one was very action packed. It brought out many emotions while reading. I felt angry, frustrated, saddened and joy.
I wish that I could explain better just how many emotions I have been feeling during the reading of this book. On to the next in the series.
I wish that I could explain better just how many emotions I have been feeling during the reading of this book. On to the next in the series.
January 15, 2024
Best one yet…
This entry in the series has great dialogue and mature characters. The war has seriously heated up and things aren’t looking good. Definitely some lessons of hubris to think about. Here’s hoping someone way up the ladder in the USA reads it.
This entry in the series has great dialogue and mature characters. The war has seriously heated up and things aren’t looking good. Definitely some lessons of hubris to think about. Here’s hoping someone way up the ladder in the USA reads it.
February 8, 2024
This series could run and run
A believable, fast moving, but easy to follow while maintaining multiple strains, saga of how a major conflict, that hasn’t gone nuclear (yet) war might be fought at war.
A page turner and highly recommended
A believable, fast moving, but easy to follow while maintaining multiple strains, saga of how a major conflict, that hasn’t gone nuclear (yet) war might be fought at war.
A page turner and highly recommended
February 15, 2024
war no one wanted
Having read the 1st and now the second I have continually been impressed by the meticulous research involved in combining surface and subsurface scenarios and effects of logistical shortcomings all in all a damn good read.ex Royal Navy
Having read the 1st and now the second I have continually been impressed by the meticulous research involved in combining surface and subsurface scenarios and effects of logistical shortcomings all in all a damn good read.ex Royal Navy
December 31, 2024
typical Navy
This novel hits on all the low points and high points of being a submariner in the USN. Many of the insults and expletive language were what I experienced while serving. The submarine actions in the book were excellent and made this book a good and exciting read.
This novel hits on all the low points and high points of being a submariner in the USN. Many of the insults and expletive language were what I experienced while serving. The submarine actions in the book were excellent and made this book a good and exciting read.
March 1, 2026
The war no one wanted
I have enjoyed this series about submarine warfare, the characters, and the action. I will continue reading the books as I have the opportunity and will probability finish the entire with time.
I have enjoyed this series about submarine warfare, the characters, and the action. I will continue reading the books as I have the opportunity and will probability finish the entire with time.
August 29, 2023
Good excellent story line
Good plot with believable characters well written and well paced and gripping enjoyed reading it and looking forward to the next book
Good plot with believable characters well written and well paced and gripping enjoyed reading it and looking forward to the next book
February 2, 2024
Good Mind Candy
If you just want to read something that does not require a lot of thought, but just good entertainment, this is worth the read.
If you just want to read something that does not require a lot of thought, but just good entertainment, this is worth the read.
February 17, 2024
Really Good
Just an excellent read. Interesting subplots, well intertwined and developed. Better than Book #1. Enjoyed this a lot. Recommended! hb
Just an excellent read. Interesting subplots, well intertwined and developed. Better than Book #1. Enjoyed this a lot. Recommended! hb
June 23, 2024
ANOTHER GREAT READ
This book has not only a lot of action but gets into the crew, their trials under fire and more.
This book has not only a lot of action but gets into the crew, their trials under fire and more.
July 9, 2024
well you’re here.
You’re probably familiar with the story at this point and the series. I’ll simply comment that it’s a great read. Characters are believable in their actions.
You’re probably familiar with the story at this point and the series. I’ll simply comment that it’s a great read. Characters are believable in their actions.
November 26, 2024
Women's navy
Most of the characters are women running the ships and subs. No equal distribution. This from a 25 year chief.
Most of the characters are women running the ships and subs. No equal distribution. This from a 25 year chief.
December 31, 2024
My review
This is another great read in the books. Can't wait to start reading the next book in this. Looking forward to another great read.
This is another great read in the books. Can't wait to start reading the next book in this. Looking forward to another great read.
July 26, 2025
This is a wonderfully enjoyable series packed with action, naval details and engaging characters. I highly recommend it.
December 29, 2025
Great
Another really Great Book in the War of the Submarine Series. Very exciting and easy to follow storylines. I am downloaded the next book now.
Another really Great Book in the War of the Submarine Series. Very exciting and easy to follow storylines. I am downloaded the next book now.
February 6, 2026
Most excellent.
As I work my way through this series, it just keeps getting better and better. The p!otline is first rate and very technically accurate.
As I work my way through this series, it just keeps getting better and better. The p!otline is first rate and very technically accurate.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews