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Jack Tremain #1
Pride Runs Deep
Shattered by a surprise attack, the U.S. is rebuilding its fleet at Pearl Harbor. And the
badly damaged Submarine Division Seven holds the line against the Japanese Navy...
Every enemy ship that slips through means more lives lost. Now it's up to Lt. Commander Jack Tremain to whip into shape a hardluck boat that's returned from what may be the worst patrol in history. The loss of even one more American sub could be devastating...
badly damaged Submarine Division Seven holds the line against the Japanese Navy...
Every enemy ship that slips through means more lives lost. Now it's up to Lt. Commander Jack Tremain to whip into shape a hardluck boat that's returned from what may be the worst patrol in history. The loss of even one more American sub could be devastating...
345 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
32 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 14, 2017
This is a new author for me. The submarine USS Mackerel has returned to Pearl with three of its crew dead. The crew is demoralized. Our protagonist, Lt. Cmdr. Jack Tremaine, has been assigned to command the Mackerel. They go on patrol and battle with a Japanese escort ship as they sink a convoy ship. This return to Pearl is much happier than the prior return. Cooke describes the fear and difficult relationships of the demoralized crew as they slowly rebuild their confidence and team-ship. Then they get orders for what could be called a suicide mission.
The book is well written; the pace is fast. The action and suspense is nonstop. As the story develops there is an officer who is a bully, a new captain and a brand-new Ensign, Mr. Wright, aboard the boat. The author does a superb job describing what it’s like for the crew to submit to extended depth charges and the air turning foul. The author provides details about World War II submarines as well as information about life aboard a submarine. Cameron Cooke was a United States Naval submarine officer and that background allows him to bring reality to his writing.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours long. Tim Campbell does an excellent job narrating the book. Campbell is an opera singer, actor, voice over artist and audiobook narrator.
The book is well written; the pace is fast. The action and suspense is nonstop. As the story develops there is an officer who is a bully, a new captain and a brand-new Ensign, Mr. Wright, aboard the boat. The author does a superb job describing what it’s like for the crew to submit to extended depth charges and the air turning foul. The author provides details about World War II submarines as well as information about life aboard a submarine. Cameron Cooke was a United States Naval submarine officer and that background allows him to bring reality to his writing.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours long. Tim Campbell does an excellent job narrating the book. Campbell is an opera singer, actor, voice over artist and audiobook narrator.
April 7, 2023
Pride Runs Deep follows the crew of the USS Mackerel, a tough-luck submarine which is assigned a crafty and experienced captain in an attempt to rally the crew and expell the superstition surrounding the boat. However, sucess and heroism only earns the Mackerel a more risky and difficult mission, pushing the crew to their physical and mental limits. Being a naval veteran himself, Cooke describes in great detail the inner workings and ever present dangers of everyday life aboard a patrolling submarine. This book features likeable characters, terrific building tension, and powerful themes of redemption, sacrifice, and duty. Great for those who like a straight up and down WWII adventure, like myself, but also has a broader appeal thanks to Cooke's skillful storytelling and character work.
April 16, 2022
Really good story. Great characters, plotting, dialogue and setting. Realistic sample, I think, of what the Navy was like during that period of World War II. It seems to help that the author was a Submariner himself. Plenty of action and suspense with an excellent ending. I wonder what his other books were like.
April 8, 2011
This is a very good sub action WWII book. It may be on par with Run Silent, Run Deep. That's the problem with it. Between past fictions and past historical writings of submarine service in WWII, this one doesn't stand head and shoulders above the rest. Contention and interplay among the officers was the main theme behind the actual mission action. The standard prototype for these officers of varying ages and experiences fulfilled expectations to the extent that these characters could have almost been lifted from prior works.
To a more unfamiliar reader this could be a 5 star book.
To a more unfamiliar reader this could be a 5 star book.
May 2, 2020
A masterpiece of historic fiction.
Pride Runs Deep is the first book in the Jack Tremain Submarine series, and if the rest of this series is as good as this book then I’m going to be a very happy man. The story is set in 1942 which was a tough time for the Americans as Japanese were a dangerous adversary with plenty of top equipment and highly capable sailors and soldiers and controlled a good chunk of the Pacific theater.
Jack Tremain, on his way through Pearl Harbor heading back to the States, is snared by an old friend into taking command of a hard luck sub whose captain had just been removed due to poor performance. The crew moral is low and is made up of several flawed individuals. With a firm hand, he brings them back to a fighting force to be reckoned with. Just as they get their legs under them, their sub is selected for almost suicidal mission in which they will need all their training, skills, and luck to come back from.
Pride Runs Deep two biggest strengths are the characters and its historical accuracy. The drama between the Captain and the various crew members will quickly have you picking people you like and dislike. The conflicts between them are just as interesting as the combat missions themselves. While the story is fiction, the author does a good job of staying true to the time period and adding many real-life issues from the period such as the flawed Mark 14 torpedoes the Americans struggled with.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Pride Runs Deep is the first book in the Jack Tremain Submarine series, and if the rest of this series is as good as this book then I’m going to be a very happy man. The story is set in 1942 which was a tough time for the Americans as Japanese were a dangerous adversary with plenty of top equipment and highly capable sailors and soldiers and controlled a good chunk of the Pacific theater.
Jack Tremain, on his way through Pearl Harbor heading back to the States, is snared by an old friend into taking command of a hard luck sub whose captain had just been removed due to poor performance. The crew moral is low and is made up of several flawed individuals. With a firm hand, he brings them back to a fighting force to be reckoned with. Just as they get their legs under them, their sub is selected for almost suicidal mission in which they will need all their training, skills, and luck to come back from.
Pride Runs Deep two biggest strengths are the characters and its historical accuracy. The drama between the Captain and the various crew members will quickly have you picking people you like and dislike. The conflicts between them are just as interesting as the combat missions themselves. While the story is fiction, the author does a good job of staying true to the time period and adding many real-life issues from the period such as the flawed Mark 14 torpedoes the Americans struggled with.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 3, 2022
First book by this author and kept me up til 5am. The writing is very easy to read and follow, I got into it right away. The plot is not the smoothest with some side trip dead ends but overall was very satisfying.
Lt. Commander Jack Tremain is taking over a Balao class sub because the previous commander is broken. We see the story mostly from Tremain's POV but occasionally from a new ensign's as well. That's why I said the plot was not smooth, like it didn't know where it was going. You could say it was a 60/40 split between the 2.
But despite that, it was a satisfying WW2 submarine fiction book with plenty of action. I'm not sure when this was written but the protagonists do have a bit of remorse which some modern authors tend to add in in order not to glorify violence. Authors in the old days with fresh memories of the horrors the enemy inflicted did not have these tendencies.
Summary/spoilers:
Part 1 is during the first mission when they stalk and sink a freighter and comes under attack from the escort. Very good description of the action and what goes on inside.
Past 2 is kind of an interlude.
Part 3 is where they go to the Japanese home islands in order to sink a giant battleship (shades of sinking of Shinano). Very good detail of what it was to be like to be attacked and then stuck at the bottom trying to get back up alive.
Lt. Commander Jack Tremain is taking over a Balao class sub because the previous commander is broken. We see the story mostly from Tremain's POV but occasionally from a new ensign's as well. That's why I said the plot was not smooth, like it didn't know where it was going. You could say it was a 60/40 split between the 2.
But despite that, it was a satisfying WW2 submarine fiction book with plenty of action. I'm not sure when this was written but the protagonists do have a bit of remorse which some modern authors tend to add in in order not to glorify violence. Authors in the old days with fresh memories of the horrors the enemy inflicted did not have these tendencies.
Summary/spoilers:
Part 1 is during the first mission when they stalk and sink a freighter and comes under attack from the escort. Very good description of the action and what goes on inside.
Past 2 is kind of an interlude.
Part 3 is where they go to the Japanese home islands in order to sink a giant battleship (shades of sinking of Shinano). Very good detail of what it was to be like to be attacked and then stuck at the bottom trying to get back up alive.
July 28, 2020
WOW ! Got to read this one guys !
This is a page turner for anyone who likes ww11 thrillers in subs. This will keep you on edge with great characters and a well written plot. A very well written book full of action well researched not hung up on too much technical jargon, and a great lesson in leadership. Planning to read all of this authors books this being my second of his and I never write reviews.
This is a page turner for anyone who likes ww11 thrillers in subs. This will keep you on edge with great characters and a well written plot. A very well written book full of action well researched not hung up on too much technical jargon, and a great lesson in leadership. Planning to read all of this authors books this being my second of his and I never write reviews.
June 15, 2017
Excellent Period Accuracy
This novel is set in late 1943 and compares well with the accounts of submariners who survived the war and wrote about there experiences. Though nearly every character is fictional they are well developed and complex, not the shallow two dimensions so often found in adventure stores.
This novel is set in late 1943 and compares well with the accounts of submariners who survived the war and wrote about there experiences. Though nearly every character is fictional they are well developed and complex, not the shallow two dimensions so often found in adventure stores.
April 22, 2022
This was a great read. The writing and narrative really pulls you into the depths of the story, and it makes you feel like you are on the submarine ‘Mackerel’ with Lt. Commander Tremain. Each of the characters are distinctly created and really helps transport the reader into the story. I highly recommend this as a great summer (or anytime) read.
December 27, 2024
I loved this book. The series of three were quite good! The author's firsthand knowledge is obvious and makes these really shine. Having neither the interest nor the opportunity to be a submariner does not mean I am disinterested in stories set on/in submarines. These books were a kick in the pants. Excellent!
January 11, 2025
Excellent Submarine story
Just a great yarn about a submarine taking on an impossible task. Has it all.. the hard nosed commander who earns the respect of his men. The young ensign who becomes a man. The jerk from the Academy... still a fun read in front of the fire while snowed in in Georgia
Just a great yarn about a submarine taking on an impossible task. Has it all.. the hard nosed commander who earns the respect of his men. The young ensign who becomes a man. The jerk from the Academy... still a fun read in front of the fire while snowed in in Georgia
June 29, 2017
"Pride Runs Deep" by R. Camron Cooke
WWII navy submarine story. Sent to sink a Japanese Battle ship. Personal conflicts and tactical conflicts. If you are an old sea dog sailor like me you will like this book. Gave it 3 stars
WWII navy submarine story. Sent to sink a Japanese Battle ship. Personal conflicts and tactical conflicts. If you are an old sea dog sailor like me you will like this book. Gave it 3 stars
November 27, 2019
Excellent Submarine At War Action
The book is my first WWII submarine at war book. It is a notch above most of the books of this genre that I have read. Excellent detail and very suspenseful. I will definitely purchase book 2.
The book is my first WWII submarine at war book. It is a notch above most of the books of this genre that I have read. Excellent detail and very suspenseful. I will definitely purchase book 2.
October 14, 2017
Great Read
I am in mourning over having come to the end of this great story and hope that there will be other stories with these characters.
I am in mourning over having come to the end of this great story and hope that there will be other stories with these characters.
August 2, 2018
A very good and entertaining novel of the World War II setting. I enjoyed reading this novel and I recommend this book to everyone.
August 19, 2018
Good read!
I liked this story of submarine exploits as presented by a very knowledgeable author.
It is worth your investment of time to read!
I liked this story of submarine exploits as presented by a very knowledgeable author.
It is worth your investment of time to read!
December 27, 2018
Good WWII submarine thriller.
February 1, 2022
Not much original going on here. Stock characters with a stock plot. Serviceable enough submarine action to keep the pages turning.
July 20, 2022
Great characters, action packed, very entertaining read!
May 6, 2023
Great writing. Felt like I was in the submarine and alongside of the crew.
July 20, 2011
A nice quick fun read about a fictitious submarine and her crew in WWII Pacific. The author is a navy man, and a submariner, so he brings much authenticity to his writing. It you like military fiction, this is a good read.
January 7, 2016
An enjoyable novel here. The characters are well crafted so that the reader actually cares about them. The story has good action and suspense without getting overly technical with submarine or military terminology.
July 11, 2016
Pride runs REALLY DEEP!
This was really a great read! The only thing that bothers me is how conveniently the "bad" guys on board got what was coming to them; write it off as the vagaries of war...
This was really a great read! The only thing that bothers me is how conveniently the "bad" guys on board got what was coming to them; write it off as the vagaries of war...
March 31, 2021
This novel is set in late 1943 and compares well with the accounts of submariners who survived the war and wrote about there experiences. Though nearly every character is fictional they are well developed and complex, not the shallow two dimensions so often found in adventure stores.
January 9, 2008
In the same vein as Hunt for Red October, in that it is war stories from a Submarine. Great story that you can crush in a week.
November 6, 2008
Awesome, quick read. One of my best airport book store purchases. Love the WWII submarine fiction.
October 21, 2010
A suspenseful and engaging World War II submarine thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 20, 2014
Takes you into the action of the pacific war during world war 2. Great story - wish Cooke would have written more.
March 24, 2015
For a book I've had lying around for a while from an author I've never heard of, I really enjoyed this book. A quick read, but interesting and simple enough to understand.
May 19, 2008
I really liked this book about a WWll sub after the attack at Pearl Harbor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews