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Running Deep: Bravery, Survival, and the True Story of the Deadliest Submarine in World War II
The true story of the USS Tang submarine in World War II and the courageous captain who survived the Tang's sinking and a deadly Japanese torture camp.
There was one submarine that sailed above all other boats in the Silent Service in World War the USS Tang. Captain Richard Hetherington O’Kane commanded the attack submarine that sunk more tonnage, rescued more downed aviators, and successfully completed more surface attacks than any other American submarine. These undersea predators were the first to lead the offensive rebound against the Japanese, but at great Submariners would have six times the mortality rate as the sailors who manned surface ships.
The Tang achieved its greatest success on October 24, 1944, when it took on an entire Japanese convoy and destroyed it. But its 24th and last torpedo boomeranged, returning to strike the Tang. Mortally wounded, the boat sunk, coming to rest on the bottom of the ocean, 180 feet down. After hours of struggle, nine of the 87 crew, including O’Kane, made it to the surface.
Captured by the Japanese, the Tang sailors joined other submariners and flyers–including Louis Zamperini and “Pappy” Boyington–at a “torture camp” whose purpose was to gain vital information from inmates and otherwise let them die from malnutrition, disease, and abuse. A special target was Captain O’Kane after the Japanese learned of the headlines about the Tang. Against all odds, when the camp was liberated in August 1945, O’Kane, at only 90 pounds, still lived. The following January, Richard O’Kane limped into the White House where President Truman bestowed him with the Medal of Honor.
This is the true story of death and survival in the high seas—and of the submarine and her brave captain who would become legends.
There was one submarine that sailed above all other boats in the Silent Service in World War the USS Tang. Captain Richard Hetherington O’Kane commanded the attack submarine that sunk more tonnage, rescued more downed aviators, and successfully completed more surface attacks than any other American submarine. These undersea predators were the first to lead the offensive rebound against the Japanese, but at great Submariners would have six times the mortality rate as the sailors who manned surface ships.
The Tang achieved its greatest success on October 24, 1944, when it took on an entire Japanese convoy and destroyed it. But its 24th and last torpedo boomeranged, returning to strike the Tang. Mortally wounded, the boat sunk, coming to rest on the bottom of the ocean, 180 feet down. After hours of struggle, nine of the 87 crew, including O’Kane, made it to the surface.
Captured by the Japanese, the Tang sailors joined other submariners and flyers–including Louis Zamperini and “Pappy” Boyington–at a “torture camp” whose purpose was to gain vital information from inmates and otherwise let them die from malnutrition, disease, and abuse. A special target was Captain O’Kane after the Japanese learned of the headlines about the Tang. Against all odds, when the camp was liberated in August 1945, O’Kane, at only 90 pounds, still lived. The following January, Richard O’Kane limped into the White House where President Truman bestowed him with the Medal of Honor.
This is the true story of death and survival in the high seas—and of the submarine and her brave captain who would become legends.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published October 21, 2025
191 people are currently reading
9322 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clavin
45 books523 followersTom Clavin is the author/coauthor of eleven books. His most recent is That Old Black Magic: Louis Prima, Keely Smith, and the Golden Age of Las Vegas.
His articles have appeared in Cosmopolitan, Family Circle, Men's Journal, Parade, Reader's Digest, and others.
He was a contributing reporter for the New York Times for fifteen years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
December 13, 2025
This is a great book. It is well written and has short chapters making it a quick read. I knew some of the story already. I have read some of the books that Clavin cites in his book. He again follows the Clavin formula. He tells us some of the most thrilling parts of the book to get us hooked, then starts before the beginning. In this case it is invention of the submarine. I found it to be a bit jarring and a lot to time was dedicated to earliest attempts at a submarine to its successful use. It also describes the invention of the Momsen lung for self-rescue. This the story then goes back to the exploits of the O'Kane and his missions on the Wahoo and the mission history of the Tang and culminates in his imprisonment as a POW and his eventual release.
This is a great story about great men who fought and died in World War II. If you like Clavin's work, submarine stories or books centered around WWII, this is a great book.
This is a great story about great men who fought and died in World War II. If you like Clavin's work, submarine stories or books centered around WWII, this is a great book.
August 15, 2025
I've lost count on how many books of Tom Clavin's that I have read, but he is on a streak of absolute must reads. His streak does not die with Running Deep.
The setup for this one is simple. The USS Tang was the deadliest submarine of World War II. This was not by accident. What was an accident was how the war ended for the Tang. I'll say no more. If this sounds even slightly interesting, then go read the book.
Clavin is one of my favorites because there is no fluff. Yes, tangents at times, but they all have a purpose whether to tell you about the history of submarines or why torpedoes were the scourge of even the ships that fired them. Clavin doesn't give you page after page of musings on why Captain O'Kane was aggressive. Instead he tells the story. The action will tell you exactly who people are.
It's another winner. Go give it a read.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by St. Martin's Press.)
The setup for this one is simple. The USS Tang was the deadliest submarine of World War II. This was not by accident. What was an accident was how the war ended for the Tang. I'll say no more. If this sounds even slightly interesting, then go read the book.
Clavin is one of my favorites because there is no fluff. Yes, tangents at times, but they all have a purpose whether to tell you about the history of submarines or why torpedoes were the scourge of even the ships that fired them. Clavin doesn't give you page after page of musings on why Captain O'Kane was aggressive. Instead he tells the story. The action will tell you exactly who people are.
It's another winner. Go give it a read.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by St. Martin's Press.)
November 27, 2025
5 Stars — A Riveting Dive into the Silent Service
Running Deep by Tom Clavin is one of those history books that grabs you right away and keeps you turning the pages far past bedtime. I went in knowing very little about U.S. submarine warfare in WWII, and came out absolutely fascinated—and a bit stunned—by the courage, ingenuity, and sheer luck involved in the U.S. silent service.
Clavin begins with a brisk and surprisingly entertaining overview of the early days of submarine design, reaching all the way back to colonial America. (Yes, we actually tried to use an attack sub against the British. No, it did not go according to plan. Thankfully the technology—and the tactics—got a whole lot better!)
But the real heart of the book is the story of the USS Tang, the most successful American submarine of World War II, and her legendary commander, Captain Richard O’Kane. Clavin brings their patrols to life with cinematic clarity. Under O’Kane’s leadership, the Tang sank over 30 Japanese ships—an astonishing record. Their streak only ended because of a tragic twist: a faulty torpedo malfunctioned after firing and circled back to hit the Tang herself. Out of 87 crew members, only nine survived. A miracle, but also the beginning of a nightmare.
The final third of the book is harrowing but essential reading. The surviving crew members were captured, tortured, and starved in an illegal Japanese POW camp. Clavin writes with great compassion and restraint, showing both the horror and the resilience of these men. Captain O’Kane lost 80 pounds during his captivity and endured repeated torture—yet all nine Tang survivors lived through the war. O’Kane was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership and heroism.
For me, this book was both educational and emotionally gripping. I knew almost nothing about submarine warfare before picking it up; now I find myself wanting to dive much deeper (pun intended) into this corner of WWII history. Clavin writes with a clarity and narrative drive that makes complex naval operations accessible and thrilling.
If you’re interested in military history—or even if you’re not—Running Deep is an excellent, highly readable account of an incredible crew, a remarkable commander, and a chapter of WWII that deserves to be far better known.
Hard Cover/audio
I can’t wait to read more of Tom Clavin’s work.
Running Deep by Tom Clavin is one of those history books that grabs you right away and keeps you turning the pages far past bedtime. I went in knowing very little about U.S. submarine warfare in WWII, and came out absolutely fascinated—and a bit stunned—by the courage, ingenuity, and sheer luck involved in the U.S. silent service.
Clavin begins with a brisk and surprisingly entertaining overview of the early days of submarine design, reaching all the way back to colonial America. (Yes, we actually tried to use an attack sub against the British. No, it did not go according to plan. Thankfully the technology—and the tactics—got a whole lot better!)
But the real heart of the book is the story of the USS Tang, the most successful American submarine of World War II, and her legendary commander, Captain Richard O’Kane. Clavin brings their patrols to life with cinematic clarity. Under O’Kane’s leadership, the Tang sank over 30 Japanese ships—an astonishing record. Their streak only ended because of a tragic twist: a faulty torpedo malfunctioned after firing and circled back to hit the Tang herself. Out of 87 crew members, only nine survived. A miracle, but also the beginning of a nightmare.
The final third of the book is harrowing but essential reading. The surviving crew members were captured, tortured, and starved in an illegal Japanese POW camp. Clavin writes with great compassion and restraint, showing both the horror and the resilience of these men. Captain O’Kane lost 80 pounds during his captivity and endured repeated torture—yet all nine Tang survivors lived through the war. O’Kane was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership and heroism.
For me, this book was both educational and emotionally gripping. I knew almost nothing about submarine warfare before picking it up; now I find myself wanting to dive much deeper (pun intended) into this corner of WWII history. Clavin writes with a clarity and narrative drive that makes complex naval operations accessible and thrilling.
If you’re interested in military history—or even if you’re not—Running Deep is an excellent, highly readable account of an incredible crew, a remarkable commander, and a chapter of WWII that deserves to be far better known.
Hard Cover/audio
I can’t wait to read more of Tom Clavin’s work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
In Running Deep, Tom Clavin provided an inside look at the life of the submariners during WWII. Given the ever-present dangers of being killed or captured by enemy forces, as well as having to live in cramped spaces at the bottom of the ocean for long periods of time, it took a special type of person to do this job. Along with providing a detailed look at the long history of the early submarines (most, of which, failed), Clavin showed how the vessel emerged as a powerful weapon for America following the devastating loss of ships as Pearl Harbor.
Although the book gave much credit to the heroic men who helped set the groundwork for the use of submarines in WWII, Clavin focused his book on Dick O’Kane, who steadily rose to become the most accomplished American submariner of the war. Whether his sub, the USS Tang, was rescuing downed pilots, sinking enemy ships, or carrying out surface attacks, O’Kane and his crew seemed to be successfully fighting all across the Pacific.
However, after being captured by the enemy when his submarine sank in an unexpected mishap, O’Kane and his few surviving crew members underwent horrendous treatment and torture in a Japanese prison camp. While these camps did not carry out the systematic genocide of Nazi concentration camps, it was still quite difficult to read about the cruel and brutal treatment experienced by O’Kane and his crew. At a mere 90-pounds of skin and bones, O’Kane was lucky to still be alive when the war ended. Even so, after his recuperation, O’Kane went on to become the most highly decorated man in the US Navy.
All in all, this was a very well-researched book, as well as being written in a clear manner that puts the reader right in the center of wartime action. Definitely recommend.
October 5, 2025
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley.
The USS Tang was the top-scoring U.S. submarine of World War II. Commanded by Richard O'Kane, it had a short, but spectacular, career in only five war patrols. If not for a faulty torpedo, it's quite likely the sub would have achieved even greater glory.
This book is not just the story of the Tang. It's also the story of O'Kane and the officers and men he served with, along with stories about other submarines and their commanders. The narrative is really easy to read, with short chapters which don't get bogged down. However, sometimes the narrative strays a bit and needs a few pages to get back on track. There is a complete section on the history of submarines, torpedoes and the Momsen Lung which probably could have been located in a different spot, but since all three are important to the story they definitely needed to be included.
Having read several books about American submarines, and the Tang specifically, there wasn't much new information for me. But the story of Tang' survivors in Japanese prisoner camps was really worth reading as O'Kane never really mentioned what he endured (and it was a considerable amount of punishment) in his own book, "Clear the Bridge". While some questioned his sanity during the war, no one can question his toughness and honor after reading this book.
A fine tribute to a legendary submarine and those who served with her.
The USS Tang was the top-scoring U.S. submarine of World War II. Commanded by Richard O'Kane, it had a short, but spectacular, career in only five war patrols. If not for a faulty torpedo, it's quite likely the sub would have achieved even greater glory.
This book is not just the story of the Tang. It's also the story of O'Kane and the officers and men he served with, along with stories about other submarines and their commanders. The narrative is really easy to read, with short chapters which don't get bogged down. However, sometimes the narrative strays a bit and needs a few pages to get back on track. There is a complete section on the history of submarines, torpedoes and the Momsen Lung which probably could have been located in a different spot, but since all three are important to the story they definitely needed to be included.
Having read several books about American submarines, and the Tang specifically, there wasn't much new information for me. But the story of Tang' survivors in Japanese prisoner camps was really worth reading as O'Kane never really mentioned what he endured (and it was a considerable amount of punishment) in his own book, "Clear the Bridge". While some questioned his sanity during the war, no one can question his toughness and honor after reading this book.
A fine tribute to a legendary submarine and those who served with her.
December 17, 2025
Thank you St. Martin's Press for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
In recent years, I’ve developed an interest in learning more about World War Two, particularly the events in the Pacific. RUNNING DEEP gave me the opportunity to gain some insight on the role submarines played in the war.
The USS Tang is credited with sinking dozens of ships, rescuing airmen, and is considered the most successful American submarine of WW2. Captain Richard O’Kane commanded the Tang when disaster struck. Their own torpedo was fired but changed trajectory and hit and sunk the Tang. A fraction of the crew survived and were taken to a Japanese torture camp. This book covers their ordeal as well as providing a history of submarines and how they were used by the military.
Well, there is no doubt in mind I couldn’t handle being in a submarine in peacetime, let alone during a war. A tough job for sure. Lots of key players are introduced in the beginning and I struggled for a bit to keep track of everyone but eventually the book found its groove and it turned out to be a fascinating read. The second half in particular was gripping.
Recommend if you enjoy learning about WW2 history, the US military, and/or submarines.
In recent years, I’ve developed an interest in learning more about World War Two, particularly the events in the Pacific. RUNNING DEEP gave me the opportunity to gain some insight on the role submarines played in the war.
The USS Tang is credited with sinking dozens of ships, rescuing airmen, and is considered the most successful American submarine of WW2. Captain Richard O’Kane commanded the Tang when disaster struck. Their own torpedo was fired but changed trajectory and hit and sunk the Tang. A fraction of the crew survived and were taken to a Japanese torture camp. This book covers their ordeal as well as providing a history of submarines and how they were used by the military.
Well, there is no doubt in mind I couldn’t handle being in a submarine in peacetime, let alone during a war. A tough job for sure. Lots of key players are introduced in the beginning and I struggled for a bit to keep track of everyone but eventually the book found its groove and it turned out to be a fascinating read. The second half in particular was gripping.
Recommend if you enjoy learning about WW2 history, the US military, and/or submarines.
January 16, 2026
Engaging and interesting book on WWII submarine warfare, ostensibly about the USS Tang and its skipper, Dick O’Kane. There is enough action and adventure to hold the reader’s interest, but I found the structure of the book irritating. Although it is supposed to be about the Tang, the first part of the book tells a pretty good story about another submarine, the Wahoo. Fine, it’s all backstory for the Tang, since O’Kane was the XO of the Wahoo. Then the book abruptly shifts to a lengthy history of submarines in general. After that, we’re back to the war against Japan in the Pacific, with some chapters about the Tang, but many others about different submarines and their adventures. It all seemed like random filler. Plus the author can’t seem to mention any incidental or random naval officer without giving a thorough biographical sketch of him. That became tedious. Finally during the last third or so of the book, the author devotes his energy to the story of the Tang. And that was good. However, there were many factual inconsistencies throughout this book, and the organization seemed disjointed and choppy. It was fine as entertainment, but not very polished as history. It could have been so much better.
January 17, 2026
I do not pick up history books often, nor do I read non-fiction books concerning World War II. However, I have read several books by that great author Tom Clavin. So although I didn’t get around to reading “Running Deep” for several weeks I became so engrossed in this story about the USS Tang submarine and its heroic adventures in the Pacific Theatre of the war. And what a tale it is! Whether sinking Japanese ships or American heroes trying to survive the horrors of the torture inside Japanese prison camps one finishes this book exhausted but satisfied. So y’all that are Clavin fans can settle in for a long tour under the sea (get it?) A strong 5 stars for “Running Deep.”
December 14, 2025
"The hardest part for him the rest of his life was that he came home and his men didn't."
That quote, about Captain O'Kane, is all you need to know about the very person he was, how he led his men and how he ran his ship.
The USS Tang and its men ran the deadliest assault against the Japanese until an accident ended it all and what happens next needs to be read to be believed, and even then, will leave you gobsmacked [and if you are tender-hearted like me, in tears].
Tom Clavin is one of my favorite authors right now, and I would read anything he wrote/writes; with this book, he still remains supreme, and if you, like me, love a book of good adventure, submarines, the men that ran them, and the war that defined them, then this book is 100% for you; you will not be sorry that you read it.
George Newbern is, as always, just fabulous. He tells this story so well and I could have listened to him for forever. If you love a good audiobook, I HIGHLY recommend this one; you will not be sorry.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tom Clavin, George Newbern - Narrator, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
That quote, about Captain O'Kane, is all you need to know about the very person he was, how he led his men and how he ran his ship.
The USS Tang and its men ran the deadliest assault against the Japanese until an accident ended it all and what happens next needs to be read to be believed, and even then, will leave you gobsmacked [and if you are tender-hearted like me, in tears].
Tom Clavin is one of my favorite authors right now, and I would read anything he wrote/writes; with this book, he still remains supreme, and if you, like me, love a book of good adventure, submarines, the men that ran them, and the war that defined them, then this book is 100% for you; you will not be sorry that you read it.
George Newbern is, as always, just fabulous. He tells this story so well and I could have listened to him for forever. If you love a good audiobook, I HIGHLY recommend this one; you will not be sorry.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tom Clavin, George Newbern - Narrator, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
Currently reading
December 25, 2025September 4, 2025
Thank you NetGalley,author,Tom Calvin and publisher,St.Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read the arc ebook of the non-fiction story,Running Deep. I had never read more than one or two nf books about any U.S. military wars before, and I am so happy that I didn’t pass up reading this one.It was so informative,exciting,written like a good novel,easy to understand,even some of the more technical info,too.
The gist of the story is about the Silent Service( the name given to the Navy’s submarine branch of the US military) and it’s most honored submarine,the USS Tang,serving in the Pacific during WW2. It’s brave and somewhat unorthodox Commander,Dick O’Kane along with his crew of sailors worked together as an expert team during the most horrendous times torpedoing the Japanese ships.Dick O’Kane was the highest decorated military person along with Audie Murphy(army). The last third of the book was about O’Kane and other survivors being held POW under horrible conditions in two different Japanese camps.It’s so hard to believe what pain humans can inflict on fellow humans! Please don’t hesitate to read this book,you won’t be disappointed.
On sale October 02,2025
The gist of the story is about the Silent Service( the name given to the Navy’s submarine branch of the US military) and it’s most honored submarine,the USS Tang,serving in the Pacific during WW2. It’s brave and somewhat unorthodox Commander,Dick O’Kane along with his crew of sailors worked together as an expert team during the most horrendous times torpedoing the Japanese ships.Dick O’Kane was the highest decorated military person along with Audie Murphy(army). The last third of the book was about O’Kane and other survivors being held POW under horrible conditions in two different Japanese camps.It’s so hard to believe what pain humans can inflict on fellow humans! Please don’t hesitate to read this book,you won’t be disappointed.
On sale October 02,2025
October 13, 2025
The true story of the USS Tang - one of the most prolific subs - during WWII. It earned great success and was greatly admired by the submariners. When it sinks there are few survivors, and they begin a torturous journey as prisoners of the Japanese who put them through horrific conditions. Just a great read by one of the lesser known arenas of WWII. Thanks to NetGalley for the read.
September 8, 2025
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC of this book. I have been long fascinated by the history of the Silent Service and this book does not disappoint. It gives a great insight into the submarine warfare of WW II. I particularly enjoyed the background given every person as they figured into the history of the silent service. It was very hard to read the portions of the book where the members of the crew of the Tang were held by the Japanese. The brutality was very upsetting. The epilogue brought this saga to a close but it was clear the survivors still suffered. An excellent retelling of World War II.
August 29, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. (thank You!) My 75 year-old dad came to visit and saw Running Deep sitting on my coffee table. He started and finished it in one day — (literally did not move from the chair until he was finished). He was totally engrossed with the story and said it was a captivating and fantastic read. Now he’s sharing it with all his buddies.
November 7, 2025
Strays from the point
January 27, 2026
Running Deep is the true story of the submarine USS Tang and its captain, Richard (Dick) O’Kane. At the onset of WWII, the US struggled to adapt its view on submarines as anything more than a reconnaissance tool. Learning from his predecessor, Captain Dudley “Mush” Morton on the USS Wahoo, O’Kane cut his teeth by adapting to Morton’s aggressive approach of always looking to be on the offensive. These lessons learned guided O’Kane as he racked up incredible numbers of tonnage of shipping destroyed in the Pacific. The Tang and her crew sent more ships to the bottom than any other American submarine in WWII. But on her last mission, her final submarine torpedoed back and sent her and her crew 180’ to the bottom. Using the Momson lung apparatus, only nine of her crew members, including Captain O’Kane, made it back to the surface, only to be captured by the Japanese as prisoners of war.
Clavin’s writing latches on to the reader and doesn’t let go. I flew through Running Deep. It’s amazing and sometimes hard to comprehend what these brave men were put through. After reading Unbroken not long before Running Deep, I was familiar with Louis Zamparini’s ordeal in the prison camp, and this tied together nicely. Highly recommended.
4.5 Fish in the Water out of 5
Clavin’s writing latches on to the reader and doesn’t let go. I flew through Running Deep. It’s amazing and sometimes hard to comprehend what these brave men were put through. After reading Unbroken not long before Running Deep, I was familiar with Louis Zamparini’s ordeal in the prison camp, and this tied together nicely. Highly recommended.
4.5 Fish in the Water out of 5
January 20, 2026
3.75/5, rounded up to 4 because U.S. submarines are one of my favorite WWII niches. This was an interesting look into the USS Tang, its swashbuckling captain, the boat’s self-inflicted sinking, and ultimately the experience of its surviving crew in Japanese POW camps. It was let down by some shonky editing and errors, such as one conflation of Army and Navy ranks, no references to Lieutenants J.G. vice full Lieutenants, the Philippine island of Leyte being described as 3,000 square *feet* (must’ve been easy to invade, then!), and a discursive section on the history of the submarine in the middle of the main narrative.
That said, Clavin can write narrative history very well, and I think that’s one of the most important things for getting people interested in history in general.
That said, Clavin can write narrative history very well, and I think that’s one of the most important things for getting people interested in history in general.
November 8, 2025
Tom Clavin’s “Running Deep: Bravery, Survival, and the True Story of the Deadliest Submarine in World War II” delivers an electrifying chronicle of the USS Tang and its legendary captain, Richard Hetherington O’Kane—a narrative as gripping as any thriller but rooted in astonishing fact. The book plunges readers beneath the waves into the perilous, claustrophobic world of WWII submarine warfare, chronicling not just the Tang’s record-setting string of victories, but also the human toll and undaunted spirit that defined her crew. Clavin’s storytelling is taut, evocative, and infused with a deep empathy for his subjects, bringing to life both the sweep of history and the granular realities of life aboard a submarine stalked by death at every turn. His portrait of O’Kane is particularly vivid—the commander’s tactical ingenuity and ice-cold nerve set the Tang apart as the most deadly American sub of the Pacific War. The cataclysmic events of October 1944, when a malfunctioning torpedo doomed the Tang, are recounted with heart-stopping immediacy: the terrifying descent to the seafloor, the desperate escape using revolutionary “Momsen lungs,” and the searing ordeal of captivity that followed for O’Kane and his surviving men. The narrative skillfully intertwines technical details, personal anecdotes, and broader context, illuminating not only a dramatic saga of battle and survival but also the evolution of submarine technology and tactics. Side excursions into the fates of other famous subs deepen the tale, providing contrast and nuance. What emerges is both an authoritative chronicle of wartime daring and a meditation on leadership, sacrifice, and resilience in the crucible of conflict. “Running Deep” stands out as a fast-paced, genuinely moving account—ideal for both newcomers to WWII history and seasoned readers looking for a fresh, deeply human perspective on undersea warfare. Clavin’s achievement is in making this epic story pulse with life and relevance, a stirring tribute to courage forged in the darkest depths.
November 21, 2025
Good narrative but some of the background chapters seem to be added for padding. The editing or proofreading could have been tighter
January 25, 2026
By Bill Marsano. Tom Clavin’s superb book brings vividly to life a forgotten side of World War II—the Pacific war. While Dec. 7, 1941 awakened Americans to the hitherto unsuspected existence of Pearl Harbor, it was the Atlantic theater that gripped them, and with good reason. Europe was close and familiar; our East Coast was thick with European immigrants and their descendants; and U-boats were sinking ships before the very eyes of sun-bathers on Florida’s beaches. Front-page news? It was front-porch news.
Moreover, it was powerfully dramatic and vividly photogenic—Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz! Goose-stepping Nazis and menacing Messerschmitts, howling Stukas and growling Panzers! Hollywood has never gotten over it.
The Pacific war? It sprawled across an ocean too vast and was fought on unheard-of islands with unpronounceable names; all of them far-flung and barren or featureless or choked with fetid jungle. It was war in the middle of nowhere and our foe was no Nordic superman but a cartoon, a runty, yellow-skinned tribe of bespectacled, buck-toothed half-savages (and as racist as we were).
Worse, that mighty ocean had no grand-opera sea battles--no Jutland-style Armageddons, with rows of battleships lined up and slugging it out broad-side to broadside. Instead it was a new, camera-starving war, UNphotogenic and fought largely by aircraft carriers that never saw each other and submarines that were at their best when neither seen nor heard.
The Navy’s carriers were stars. Such battles as the Coral Sea, Midway, and the Marianas Turkey Shoot made headlines then and have been studied ever since. Submarines were assassins. Operating alone or in U-boat-style wolfpacks, they were known, if at all, as “the Silent Service.” Their attacks were usually hit-and-run, as they had virtually no defensive armament. Their best chance was to dive fast and deep, and remain as silent as possible as bombs and depth charges rained down from above. Just one could sink a sub, usually with all hands. That’s one reason the submarine service was 100% volunteer. It’s also why submariners suffered the highest casual-ty rate of the U.S. military.
Moreover, their primary target was decidedly unglamorous: drab, workaday cargo ships. But Japan was critically dependent on imports, not only of oil, rubber and strategic metals but even rice. This was a war of logistics. Despite being hampered by unreliable torpedoes (the failure rate was 50%), American submarines steadily ground down Japan’s merchant marine, eventually sinking more that 50% of it. Tankers, loaded with the oil Japan went to war for, were favorite targets; the resulting shortage seriously hobbled the imperial navy. The army lacked transports to supply island garrisons, and some nearly starved. By war’s end, Japan herself faced famine.
And, as if for lagniappe, US submarines accounted for one-third of the Imperial Navy ships sunk, rescued downed fliers, reported fleet movements, transported commandos and ran supplies to Philippine guerrillas—all without fanfare.
In his tight, tense narrative, author Clavin focuses on the scarcely credible exploits of the Navy’s deadliest submarine, USS Tang. Skippered by Commander Richard O'Kane, Tang sank 33 enemy ships, more than 116,000 tons of critically important fuel, food and military supplies, in her tragically short combat life of a mere nine months. O’Kane was daring but not reckless, disciplined but not doctrinaire, and deeply concerned for his crew. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in large part for his heroism toward the end of the war, during a post-combat episode that is too surprising and moving to reveal here. —Bill Marsano is a long-time naval buff specializing in the Pacific war.
Moreover, it was powerfully dramatic and vividly photogenic—Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz! Goose-stepping Nazis and menacing Messerschmitts, howling Stukas and growling Panzers! Hollywood has never gotten over it.
The Pacific war? It sprawled across an ocean too vast and was fought on unheard-of islands with unpronounceable names; all of them far-flung and barren or featureless or choked with fetid jungle. It was war in the middle of nowhere and our foe was no Nordic superman but a cartoon, a runty, yellow-skinned tribe of bespectacled, buck-toothed half-savages (and as racist as we were).
Worse, that mighty ocean had no grand-opera sea battles--no Jutland-style Armageddons, with rows of battleships lined up and slugging it out broad-side to broadside. Instead it was a new, camera-starving war, UNphotogenic and fought largely by aircraft carriers that never saw each other and submarines that were at their best when neither seen nor heard.
The Navy’s carriers were stars. Such battles as the Coral Sea, Midway, and the Marianas Turkey Shoot made headlines then and have been studied ever since. Submarines were assassins. Operating alone or in U-boat-style wolfpacks, they were known, if at all, as “the Silent Service.” Their attacks were usually hit-and-run, as they had virtually no defensive armament. Their best chance was to dive fast and deep, and remain as silent as possible as bombs and depth charges rained down from above. Just one could sink a sub, usually with all hands. That’s one reason the submarine service was 100% volunteer. It’s also why submariners suffered the highest casual-ty rate of the U.S. military.
Moreover, their primary target was decidedly unglamorous: drab, workaday cargo ships. But Japan was critically dependent on imports, not only of oil, rubber and strategic metals but even rice. This was a war of logistics. Despite being hampered by unreliable torpedoes (the failure rate was 50%), American submarines steadily ground down Japan’s merchant marine, eventually sinking more that 50% of it. Tankers, loaded with the oil Japan went to war for, were favorite targets; the resulting shortage seriously hobbled the imperial navy. The army lacked transports to supply island garrisons, and some nearly starved. By war’s end, Japan herself faced famine.
And, as if for lagniappe, US submarines accounted for one-third of the Imperial Navy ships sunk, rescued downed fliers, reported fleet movements, transported commandos and ran supplies to Philippine guerrillas—all without fanfare.
In his tight, tense narrative, author Clavin focuses on the scarcely credible exploits of the Navy’s deadliest submarine, USS Tang. Skippered by Commander Richard O'Kane, Tang sank 33 enemy ships, more than 116,000 tons of critically important fuel, food and military supplies, in her tragically short combat life of a mere nine months. O’Kane was daring but not reckless, disciplined but not doctrinaire, and deeply concerned for his crew. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in large part for his heroism toward the end of the war, during a post-combat episode that is too surprising and moving to reveal here. —Bill Marsano is a long-time naval buff specializing in the Pacific war.
October 16, 2025
Running Deep by Tom Clavin is an excellent account of the crucial significance of submarine warfare (known as “The Silent Service”) to the success of the U.S. Navy’s campaign in the WWII Pacific Theater and our nation’s ultimate victory. The author focuses primarily on the campaigns of the USS Wahoo and USS Tang and the career of exec officer and later captain Richard “Dick” O’Kane” whose success in commanding these vessels made him the most decorated submarine officer in U.S. Naval history.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in WWII and the importance of the Navy to the U.S. war effort. Unbeknownst to many is that the submarine fleet was crucial to cutting off supply lines to the Japanese war effort. The Pacific Submarine Force was credited with sinking 5 Million Tons of Japanese supply shipments and 600K tons of warships including eight aircraft carriers. Those numbers are simply hard to fathom! However, it is author Clavin’s exquisite description of O’Kane’s leadership as well as the combined resolve of both crew and superior officers that makes these very real statistics entirely believable.
Another strong plus about Tom Clavin’s account is that while paying homage to the development and success of the U.S. Navy submarine efforts, he also takes considerable and appropriate time to set the context within the overall campaign of the Pacific Theater. Clavin deftly connects the dots to O’Kane’s fellow officers and one of a kind personalities (e.g. Dudley “Mush” Morton”) whose individualism, O’Kane’s included, were critical for success in such a dangerous and emotionally intense line of work. Clavin doesn’t stop there. He then layers on the the historical context of the exquisite leadership of Admiral’s Charles Lockwood, Raymond Spruance, and Chester Nimitz and their importance to the success of the overall Submarine effort.
Finally, what puts this book over the top is the solid historical research that went into it, which is immediately understood by the volume and quality of historical citations and references. For Instance, in detailing the atrocities that our POWs were subjected to at Omori Camp where Dick O’Kane nearly perished, Clavin makes the connection to Olympian and war veteran Louis Zamperini (and ruthless Japanese prison guard Matsuhiro “The Bird”Watanabe) a dark part of history brought to life by Laura Hillenbrand’s book “Unbroken”.
In summary, Running Deep by Tom Clavin tells the story of many unique individuals in a stunning effort under ruthless conditions. It is a testament to his writing skill that their heroics shine bright.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at
www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
This book is a must read for anyone interested in WWII and the importance of the Navy to the U.S. war effort. Unbeknownst to many is that the submarine fleet was crucial to cutting off supply lines to the Japanese war effort. The Pacific Submarine Force was credited with sinking 5 Million Tons of Japanese supply shipments and 600K tons of warships including eight aircraft carriers. Those numbers are simply hard to fathom! However, it is author Clavin’s exquisite description of O’Kane’s leadership as well as the combined resolve of both crew and superior officers that makes these very real statistics entirely believable.
Another strong plus about Tom Clavin’s account is that while paying homage to the development and success of the U.S. Navy submarine efforts, he also takes considerable and appropriate time to set the context within the overall campaign of the Pacific Theater. Clavin deftly connects the dots to O’Kane’s fellow officers and one of a kind personalities (e.g. Dudley “Mush” Morton”) whose individualism, O’Kane’s included, were critical for success in such a dangerous and emotionally intense line of work. Clavin doesn’t stop there. He then layers on the the historical context of the exquisite leadership of Admiral’s Charles Lockwood, Raymond Spruance, and Chester Nimitz and their importance to the success of the overall Submarine effort.
Finally, what puts this book over the top is the solid historical research that went into it, which is immediately understood by the volume and quality of historical citations and references. For Instance, in detailing the atrocities that our POWs were subjected to at Omori Camp where Dick O’Kane nearly perished, Clavin makes the connection to Olympian and war veteran Louis Zamperini (and ruthless Japanese prison guard Matsuhiro “The Bird”Watanabe) a dark part of history brought to life by Laura Hillenbrand’s book “Unbroken”.
In summary, Running Deep by Tom Clavin tells the story of many unique individuals in a stunning effort under ruthless conditions. It is a testament to his writing skill that their heroics shine bright.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at
www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
December 13, 2025
Generally I prefer reading fiction because I enjoy getting caught up in scenarios created by writers’ vivid imaginations, often marveling at their ingenuity and creativity. Every once in a while, however, I also enjoy reading a well told tale of nonfiction, which is true of Tom Calvin’s recently released book, “Running Deep.” I received an advanced reader’s version of the book before it was published from NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
While the book’s subtitle is “Bravery, Survival, and the True Story of the Deadliest Submarine in World War II,” the book meanders into related but less interesting topics, such as the invention of submarines and their earliest iterations and even Jules Verne’s fictionalized undersea voyage in “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” I found this section of the book unnecessary and detracting from the more exciting elements of the story being presented. At most, the information could have been referenced in a footnote, as so much other tangential material was. I also found the birthdates and places of all of the people referenced distracting and unnecessary. Sometimes, where certain people hailed from or what their backgrounds and ages were was quite interesting, but it wasn’t helpful information for every person discussed.
The subtitle also is misleading because the book describes several different heroic submarines and their crews’ successes during World War II. Despite these objections to the book and its title, I enjoyed reading it and of the extraordinary bravery aboard the “Silent Service,” as the submarine fleet is called. Mr. Calvin often employs a chatty, conversational tone in his writing, making the story more accessible and the people involved more personal. For example, the “deadliest submarine” in question, the Tang, found itself within target range of several Japanese ships on February 22, 1944, George Washington’s birthday, and Mr. Calvin wrote that the Tang’s captain thought it would be a nice birthday present for Mr. Washington to sink a Japanese ship but that it couldn’t be known whether or not the first president was, in fact, delighted by such a gift! Similarly, when the Tang later encountered a convoy of as many as eighteen Japanese ships sailing together, Mr. Calvin mused that its captain must have had a sensation similar to that of a hunter one hundred years earlier who came upon a huge buffalo herd.
Although not my particular cup of tea, this book is perfect for someone interested in strategic warfare, particularly that of submarines and World War II. It contains many recognizable and notable names, even to those of us who aren’t too familiar with these.
While the book’s subtitle is “Bravery, Survival, and the True Story of the Deadliest Submarine in World War II,” the book meanders into related but less interesting topics, such as the invention of submarines and their earliest iterations and even Jules Verne’s fictionalized undersea voyage in “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” I found this section of the book unnecessary and detracting from the more exciting elements of the story being presented. At most, the information could have been referenced in a footnote, as so much other tangential material was. I also found the birthdates and places of all of the people referenced distracting and unnecessary. Sometimes, where certain people hailed from or what their backgrounds and ages were was quite interesting, but it wasn’t helpful information for every person discussed.
The subtitle also is misleading because the book describes several different heroic submarines and their crews’ successes during World War II. Despite these objections to the book and its title, I enjoyed reading it and of the extraordinary bravery aboard the “Silent Service,” as the submarine fleet is called. Mr. Calvin often employs a chatty, conversational tone in his writing, making the story more accessible and the people involved more personal. For example, the “deadliest submarine” in question, the Tang, found itself within target range of several Japanese ships on February 22, 1944, George Washington’s birthday, and Mr. Calvin wrote that the Tang’s captain thought it would be a nice birthday present for Mr. Washington to sink a Japanese ship but that it couldn’t be known whether or not the first president was, in fact, delighted by such a gift! Similarly, when the Tang later encountered a convoy of as many as eighteen Japanese ships sailing together, Mr. Calvin mused that its captain must have had a sensation similar to that of a hunter one hundred years earlier who came upon a huge buffalo herd.
Although not my particular cup of tea, this book is perfect for someone interested in strategic warfare, particularly that of submarines and World War II. It contains many recognizable and notable names, even to those of us who aren’t too familiar with these.
January 23, 2026
This was released in December 2025 and made its way onto my Want to Read after I saw it in the newspaper. I knew it would be five stars after finishing the prologue.
The Tang was the deadliest submarine deployed by the US Navy in WWII. In addition to that it also rescued 22 downed flyers in one mission where it was deployed as "lifeguard" during an attack on a Japanese-held island. It was sunk in October 1944 by its own malfunctioning torpedo, its last torpedo on board for that patrol. Only 9 men survived. They were captured by the Japanese and suffered greatly from torture and malnutrition in unregistered POW camps.
A few random notes:
- A Japanese sub in Feb 1942 surfaced just off the coast of Santa Barbara and shelled an oil field and facilities. Minimal damage but big psychological effect
- The Tang was built on Mare Island, just north of SF in the bay
- The U-Boat in Shadow Divers found off the coast of New Jersey is thought to have sunk the same way as the Tang -- by its own malfunctioning torpedo
- The US subs were more successful than the Japanese because the Japanese still viewed them as an auxiliary force to stay near the rest of the fleet, while the US subs roamed free, hunting on their own
- In the days and weeks after Japanese surrender, Allied bombers dropped so many aid packages to the camp that the prisoners had to write "No More!" on the roof because they had enough supplies and were scared of being hit by pallets falling out of the sky
- After the war its captain Richard O'Kane received the Medal of Honor from President Truman.
- The last survivor of the Tang died just 4 years ago, in March 2022. He was 98 years old
Part 2 of 5, about the history of the submarine, probably could have been cut or shortened. But overall great read, page-turner.
Three new Want to Reads because of this book:
- Lightning Down by Tom Clavin -- story of a US WWII fighter pilot shot down over occupied France and sent to Buchenwald. I'm sure TC will come through again
- Baa Baa Black Sheep -- memoir by Pappy Boyington, famous fighter pilot who was in the same POW camp as the Tang survivors. Quoted here and sounded good. Louis Zamperini was also in the camp, but of course I have already read Unbroken
- Steel Boat, Iron Hearts -- was reading reviews for Baa Baa Black Sheep and someone said this was very comparable (not ghostwritten, first-person unfiltered perspective)
The Tang was the deadliest submarine deployed by the US Navy in WWII. In addition to that it also rescued 22 downed flyers in one mission where it was deployed as "lifeguard" during an attack on a Japanese-held island. It was sunk in October 1944 by its own malfunctioning torpedo, its last torpedo on board for that patrol. Only 9 men survived. They were captured by the Japanese and suffered greatly from torture and malnutrition in unregistered POW camps.
A few random notes:
- A Japanese sub in Feb 1942 surfaced just off the coast of Santa Barbara and shelled an oil field and facilities. Minimal damage but big psychological effect
- The Tang was built on Mare Island, just north of SF in the bay
- The U-Boat in Shadow Divers found off the coast of New Jersey is thought to have sunk the same way as the Tang -- by its own malfunctioning torpedo
- The US subs were more successful than the Japanese because the Japanese still viewed them as an auxiliary force to stay near the rest of the fleet, while the US subs roamed free, hunting on their own
- In the days and weeks after Japanese surrender, Allied bombers dropped so many aid packages to the camp that the prisoners had to write "No More!" on the roof because they had enough supplies and were scared of being hit by pallets falling out of the sky
- After the war its captain Richard O'Kane received the Medal of Honor from President Truman.
- The last survivor of the Tang died just 4 years ago, in March 2022. He was 98 years old
Part 2 of 5, about the history of the submarine, probably could have been cut or shortened. But overall great read, page-turner.
Three new Want to Reads because of this book:
- Lightning Down by Tom Clavin -- story of a US WWII fighter pilot shot down over occupied France and sent to Buchenwald. I'm sure TC will come through again
- Baa Baa Black Sheep -- memoir by Pappy Boyington, famous fighter pilot who was in the same POW camp as the Tang survivors. Quoted here and sounded good. Louis Zamperini was also in the camp, but of course I have already read Unbroken
- Steel Boat, Iron Hearts -- was reading reviews for Baa Baa Black Sheep and someone said this was very comparable (not ghostwritten, first-person unfiltered perspective)
October 16, 2025
Dive into "Running Deep" by Tom Clavin and prepare for an underwater joyride that torpedoes boredom right out of the water!
Did you know that more than one out of five submariners died in action?
That's the highest fatality rate among all the branches of the US Armed Forces during WWII.
Did you know who said, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"?
Admiral David Farragut. He was referring to an underwater minefield.
Do you know why 24-year-old engine room member Clayton Decker joined the Navy?
"Your bunk and the chow hall went right along with you."
Did you know that among the nine survivors of the Tang sub, seven had wives?
And did you know that by the end of 1945, only 3 of them would still be married?
I learned that in one of the footnotes.
This book packs more wallops than a hyperactive sea otter on espresso.
With heroic submariners zipping around the Pacific like caffeinated moles, the USS Tang becomes the Chuck Norris of submarines—unstoppable until it does a somersault and high-fives itself with a wayward torpedo.
Captain O'Kane’s legendary exploits, escaping disaster and surviving as a noodle-thin POW, are remarkable. Clavin’s storytelling plunges you into cramped quarters, exploding “fish” (torpedoes!), and submarine drama so tense you’ll feel claustrophobic in your living room.
If history books usually make you snore, this one will keep you gasping for air.
So grab your periscope, chomp on some seaweed snacks, and enjoy this brilliantly written naval saga. By the time you surface, you’ll be saluting the crew, hugging your bathtub, and Googling “how not to shoot your own submarine.”
Five starfish!
DISCLOSURE: The publisher gave me an advanced copy.
Did you know that more than one out of five submariners died in action?
That's the highest fatality rate among all the branches of the US Armed Forces during WWII.
Did you know who said, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"?
Admiral David Farragut. He was referring to an underwater minefield.
Do you know why 24-year-old engine room member Clayton Decker joined the Navy?
"Your bunk and the chow hall went right along with you."
Did you know that among the nine survivors of the Tang sub, seven had wives?
And did you know that by the end of 1945, only 3 of them would still be married?
I learned that in one of the footnotes.
This book packs more wallops than a hyperactive sea otter on espresso.
With heroic submariners zipping around the Pacific like caffeinated moles, the USS Tang becomes the Chuck Norris of submarines—unstoppable until it does a somersault and high-fives itself with a wayward torpedo.
Captain O'Kane’s legendary exploits, escaping disaster and surviving as a noodle-thin POW, are remarkable. Clavin’s storytelling plunges you into cramped quarters, exploding “fish” (torpedoes!), and submarine drama so tense you’ll feel claustrophobic in your living room.
If history books usually make you snore, this one will keep you gasping for air.
So grab your periscope, chomp on some seaweed snacks, and enjoy this brilliantly written naval saga. By the time you surface, you’ll be saluting the crew, hugging your bathtub, and Googling “how not to shoot your own submarine.”
Five starfish!
DISCLOSURE: The publisher gave me an advanced copy.
October 2, 2025
By either tonnage sank or number of ships sank, the Tang was NOT the deadliest submarine in WWII. That would be U-48. (I have seen some suggest U-99; it was far behind U-48, but still far ahead of Tang which thus isn't even No. 2.) The deadliest single sub attack in history by types of ships sank, if not tonnage, since flattops don't weigh that much, was arguably by the Japanese I-19.. Additional note: Through at least late 1943, among the major belligerents, the Japanese generally had the best torpedoes and the Americans the worst.
Also, AFAIK, neither the crew in general nor its skipper, Commander Richard O'Kane, were sent to a "torture camp."
I've seen Clavin get facts wrong before, and engage in sensationalism as well.
The story as is may be interesting, including getting sunk by its own torpedo and how the crew escaped, but to riff on a review of another book by Soy Boy the History Nerd, who wrongly five-stars this, if you're writing what this subtitle says, you're in historical fiction or something else.
Also, AFAIK, neither the crew in general nor its skipper, Commander Richard O'Kane, were sent to a "torture camp."
I've seen Clavin get facts wrong before, and engage in sensationalism as well.
The story as is may be interesting, including getting sunk by its own torpedo and how the crew escaped, but to riff on a review of another book by Soy Boy the History Nerd, who wrongly five-stars this, if you're writing what this subtitle says, you're in historical fiction or something else.
October 16, 2025
I have read several of Tom Clavin's books and learned so much! His books are always well researched and well written.
Running Deep is the story of the USS Tang, a US World War II submarine, and its Captain, Richard Hetherington O'Kane. The Tang was an attack submarine that had the best attack record of the submarine fleet at the time, before being accidentally sunk by one of it's own torpedoes. Only 9 crewmen, including the Captain, survived the sinking.
The surviving crewmen were captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp.
A year later when the camp was liberated, O'Kane, weighing only 90 pounds, was rescued.
Wow! This story was intense!
I had never heard of the USS Tang or Captain O'Kane before. So glad I read this story and learned the history of the ship and its crew.
With everything going on in the world right now, I found it hard to read a story about war. Even a war that ended so long ago. But, I persevered and finished the book, because I had to know what the fate of the crew was!
The facts are presented in a very interesting way, and I enjoyed this book despite it being a very serious topic.
Eagerly awaiting the next Tom Clavin book!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Running Deep is the story of the USS Tang, a US World War II submarine, and its Captain, Richard Hetherington O'Kane. The Tang was an attack submarine that had the best attack record of the submarine fleet at the time, before being accidentally sunk by one of it's own torpedoes. Only 9 crewmen, including the Captain, survived the sinking.
The surviving crewmen were captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp.
A year later when the camp was liberated, O'Kane, weighing only 90 pounds, was rescued.
Wow! This story was intense!
I had never heard of the USS Tang or Captain O'Kane before. So glad I read this story and learned the history of the ship and its crew.
With everything going on in the world right now, I found it hard to read a story about war. Even a war that ended so long ago. But, I persevered and finished the book, because I had to know what the fate of the crew was!
The facts are presented in a very interesting way, and I enjoyed this book despite it being a very serious topic.
Eagerly awaiting the next Tom Clavin book!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
November 9, 2025
I'm a sucker for WWII stories, but I wasn't prepared for how intense this book would be. Tom Clavin tells the story of the USS Tang and its captain, Richard O'Kane, and it's absolutely jaw-dropping from start to finish.
The Tang was the most lethal American submarine in WWII (apparently, some other reviewers dispute this). It sunk more enemy tonnage than any other sub, rescued downed pilots, took on entire Japanese convoys. O'Kane was this brilliant, aggressive captain who pushed his crew and boat to the absolute limit. The combat scenes are incredible. You're right there in the cramped sub, listening to enemy destroyers pinging sonar overhead, holding your breath while torpedoes streak toward Japanese ships.
But here's where it gets brutal: On October 24, 1944, after destroying an entire convoy in their greatest victory, the Tang's 24th torpedo malfunctioned and circled back, hitting their own submarine. The boat sank in 180 feet of water with 87 men aboard. Only nine made it to the surface alive, including O'Kane, after hours of desperate struggle in the dark, flooded sub. The escape scenes are claustrophobic nightmare fuel.
Then the real horror begins. The Japanese capture them and send them to what was basically a torture camp. The same hellhole where Louis Zamperini (from Unbroken) and fighter ace "Pappy" Boyington were held. These prisoners were systematically starved, beaten, and abused. The guards targeted O'Kane especially hard once they realized he was the famous Tang captain they'd been reading about in the papers.
The book does wander a bit at times into tangents about other submarines and general naval history, but honestly I didn't mind because those stories were fascinating too. And Clavin actually credits his sources by name throughout the book, which I appreciated. If you want to dive deeper into any part of this story, he's basically giving you a reading list.
The Tang was the most lethal American submarine in WWII (apparently, some other reviewers dispute this). It sunk more enemy tonnage than any other sub, rescued downed pilots, took on entire Japanese convoys. O'Kane was this brilliant, aggressive captain who pushed his crew and boat to the absolute limit. The combat scenes are incredible. You're right there in the cramped sub, listening to enemy destroyers pinging sonar overhead, holding your breath while torpedoes streak toward Japanese ships.
But here's where it gets brutal: On October 24, 1944, after destroying an entire convoy in their greatest victory, the Tang's 24th torpedo malfunctioned and circled back, hitting their own submarine. The boat sank in 180 feet of water with 87 men aboard. Only nine made it to the surface alive, including O'Kane, after hours of desperate struggle in the dark, flooded sub. The escape scenes are claustrophobic nightmare fuel.
Then the real horror begins. The Japanese capture them and send them to what was basically a torture camp. The same hellhole where Louis Zamperini (from Unbroken) and fighter ace "Pappy" Boyington were held. These prisoners were systematically starved, beaten, and abused. The guards targeted O'Kane especially hard once they realized he was the famous Tang captain they'd been reading about in the papers.
The book does wander a bit at times into tangents about other submarines and general naval history, but honestly I didn't mind because those stories were fascinating too. And Clavin actually credits his sources by name throughout the book, which I appreciated. If you want to dive deeper into any part of this story, he's basically giving you a reading list.
July 2, 2025
I am so excited I was granted an ARC for Mr. Clavin’s latest offering. I have read several of his books and this one is by far my favorite of them all. This author has a specific type of writing style, and he gives you information, he does not write a book as a normal 1st or 3rd character telling, he gives you all the information from his research on the subject he is writing about. And for this fare, it was the USS Tang submarine WWII and the history of submarine warfare. Oh, how I swallowed up everything he had to write. I loved this book.
When I read about the injustices done in the prisoner of war camps in Japan in WWII, it never ceases to infuriate me. And I am always so impressed with the determination our military prisoners used to stay alive. Captain O’Kane and his crew suffered tremendously, along with the other allied prisoners.
I also love a book that covers the “after” of how the characters continued on with life after the story. I feel that I learned so much, this one comes in with the highest 5 stars I can give. Thank you, Mr. Clavin.
This is my own opinion expressed in this review. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.
When I read about the injustices done in the prisoner of war camps in Japan in WWII, it never ceases to infuriate me. And I am always so impressed with the determination our military prisoners used to stay alive. Captain O’Kane and his crew suffered tremendously, along with the other allied prisoners.
I also love a book that covers the “after” of how the characters continued on with life after the story. I feel that I learned so much, this one comes in with the highest 5 stars I can give. Thank you, Mr. Clavin.
This is my own opinion expressed in this review. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.
July 23, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is the amazing story of the USS Tang submarine, which was launched in 1943. The USS Tang was the most decorated submarine, sinking more tonnage, rescuing more downed aviators and successfully completing more surface attacks than any other American submarine. That stellar record ended in 1944 when the USS Tang became a casualty of her own haywire torpedo. 78 brave men lost their lives, and 9 survivors were rescued and taken as prisoners of war.
The story recounts the USS Tang’s successes, its destruction and the aftermath for the survivors as they are beaten and starved, yet courageously still face each day with the hope the war will soon be over and rescue is on the way.
While I think the book is a 3-star based on the writing, which is sometimes unclear, the story of valor deserves more than 5 stars. The story was educational, intense and kept me engaged.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
This is the amazing story of the USS Tang submarine, which was launched in 1943. The USS Tang was the most decorated submarine, sinking more tonnage, rescuing more downed aviators and successfully completing more surface attacks than any other American submarine. That stellar record ended in 1944 when the USS Tang became a casualty of her own haywire torpedo. 78 brave men lost their lives, and 9 survivors were rescued and taken as prisoners of war.
The story recounts the USS Tang’s successes, its destruction and the aftermath for the survivors as they are beaten and starved, yet courageously still face each day with the hope the war will soon be over and rescue is on the way.
While I think the book is a 3-star based on the writing, which is sometimes unclear, the story of valor deserves more than 5 stars. The story was educational, intense and kept me engaged.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
August 11, 2025
This is a deep dive into submarine warfare in WWII. It focuses on Commander Dick O'Kane and the USS Tang which set records for ships sunk, including itself when a torpedo malfunctioned and circled back on the submarine. The commanders of the submarine fleet were a special breed: aggressive and patient, stealthy and often foolhardy. They were a small part of the naval forces, but accounted for a majority of Japanese ships destroyed in the war.
The book is detailed and well researched, as all of Clavin's books are. It gets a little slow in the middle as he describes the history of submarine warfare. (It reminded me of reading an unabridged version of Moby Dick that spent what felt like hundreds of pages describing the sperm whale and the whaling industry.) However, it picks up when the action starts.
This book revealed to me the extent to which the submarines were the predators of the Pacific. They wrecked havoc on Japanese shipping and certainly led to a quicker end to the war.
The book is detailed and well researched, as all of Clavin's books are. It gets a little slow in the middle as he describes the history of submarine warfare. (It reminded me of reading an unabridged version of Moby Dick that spent what felt like hundreds of pages describing the sperm whale and the whaling industry.) However, it picks up when the action starts.
This book revealed to me the extent to which the submarines were the predators of the Pacific. They wrecked havoc on Japanese shipping and certainly led to a quicker end to the war.
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