What do you think?
Rate this book
Beard the Dragon: A WWII Submarine Adventure Novel
The line between heroism and foolhardiness is most often drawn in blood…
After recovering from a harrowing mission near the island of Timor, Art Turner and the crew of USS Bull Shark have healed their wounds and are ready to face Japan once more. As 1943 begins, Admiral “Uncle Charlie” Lockwood is finally ready to spring a deadly surprise on Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.
IN April of 1942, Colonel Doolittle flew 16 bombers over Tokyo and showed Japan that America could and would reach out from across the sea to strike. Now, however, the Navy wants to send another message… a message that the United States can do more than strike from the air… they can rise from the depths to deliver fiery, bloody death in Japan’s most protected bastion!
Art Turner, along with some new faces, is about to take his boat where no other has gone thus far… up past China, past Korea and into Hirohito’s bathtub itself - the Sea of Japan. There he and his boat and an untried new officer will face their greatest challenge yet – to beard the dragon in his den.
Hot torpedoes scream and guns thunder in this gripping new WWII Naval submarine thriller!
After recovering from a harrowing mission near the island of Timor, Art Turner and the crew of USS Bull Shark have healed their wounds and are ready to face Japan once more. As 1943 begins, Admiral “Uncle Charlie” Lockwood is finally ready to spring a deadly surprise on Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.
IN April of 1942, Colonel Doolittle flew 16 bombers over Tokyo and showed Japan that America could and would reach out from across the sea to strike. Now, however, the Navy wants to send another message… a message that the United States can do more than strike from the air… they can rise from the depths to deliver fiery, bloody death in Japan’s most protected bastion!
Art Turner, along with some new faces, is about to take his boat where no other has gone thus far… up past China, past Korea and into Hirohito’s bathtub itself - the Sea of Japan. There he and his boat and an untried new officer will face their greatest challenge yet – to beard the dragon in his den.
Hot torpedoes scream and guns thunder in this gripping new WWII Naval submarine thriller!
443 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2025
156 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Scott Cook
71 books25 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 31, 2025
This series continues to do improbable but exciting missions
There is action from the beginning to the end in this episode as Anvil Art and his intrepid crew face down the Japanese in their home waters. Their intelligence gathering is unique but quite effective as well as instrumental in their success.
There is action from the beginning to the end in this episode as Anvil Art and his intrepid crew face down the Japanese in their home waters. Their intelligence gathering is unique but quite effective as well as instrumental in their success.
September 14, 2025
One needs to be in good shape to tackle this yarn!
Of all the Bull Shark novels, this one has every conceivable adventure happening, often more than one at once! It does not disappoint!
Of all the Bull Shark novels, this one has every conceivable adventure happening, often more than one at once! It does not disappoint!
September 19, 2025
Cook has done it again!
Scott Cook has created another superb USS Bullshark novel. I have read and enjoyed every book in the series and this may be the best yet. I hope we see number 12 in the near future!
Scott Cook has created another superb USS Bullshark novel. I have read and enjoyed every book in the series and this may be the best yet. I hope we see number 12 in the near future!
September 20, 2025
wow…
Wow…In my humble but learned opinion this was one of the best of Mr. Cooks stories. Not that all are not all exceptional. I personally think this one shows some extra effort on Scott’s part. But, then again opinions are like butt holes …everybody’s got one,
Wow…In my humble but learned opinion this was one of the best of Mr. Cooks stories. Not that all are not all exceptional. I personally think this one shows some extra effort on Scott’s part. But, then again opinions are like butt holes …everybody’s got one,
September 20, 2025
Another great read from Scott Cook
The reading kept me involved. I couldn't put it down. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes WWII novels. I look forward to the next adventure. I hope to see Hideki again. All around great read.
The reading kept me involved. I couldn't put it down. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes WWII novels. I look forward to the next adventure. I hope to see Hideki again. All around great read.
September 20, 2025
another excellent Art Turner and Bull Shark story
1943 and obviously the intelligence services have gone bonkers. The boat is sent through the Japanese conquered waters to Korea, and then into the Sea of Japan. Madness
1943 and obviously the intelligence services have gone bonkers. The boat is sent through the Japanese conquered waters to Korea, and then into the Sea of Japan. Madness
September 23, 2025
As always - GREAT!!!
Again, this squid sailed with the men of Bull Shark into the deep. The ending is a very nice surprise, saw some old friends, and went back to my grandad's Navy. Keep up the great work, Scott. Haze grey and underway!
Again, this squid sailed with the men of Bull Shark into the deep. The ending is a very nice surprise, saw some old friends, and went back to my grandad's Navy. Keep up the great work, Scott. Haze grey and underway!
October 5, 2025
From start to finish a totally enjoyable book. From book one to this one I’ve never been let down by this storyline. Hats off to the Author for another work well done. Highly recommend this series to anyone. Looking forward to book 12.
March 23, 2026
Astounding!!!
When is #12 coming out? What a great book and series. It's exciting from page one and has so many surprises, but it also shows the camaraderie of sailors who live, work and fight in small quarters together. I can't get enough of these. Please write faster.
When is #12 coming out? What a great book and series. It's exciting from page one and has so many surprises, but it also shows the camaraderie of sailors who live, work and fight in small quarters together. I can't get enough of these. Please write faster.
September 15, 2025
Dead Dragon
Anvil art and his crew stuck spear in the Maps heart .Then like a zephyr disappeared. Once again outstanding reading kept me on edge. Loved it.
Anvil art and his crew stuck spear in the Maps heart .Then like a zephyr disappeared. Once again outstanding reading kept me on edge. Loved it.
September 15, 2025
Another good read
Scott Cook has a good flair with his books and I look forward to the next of any series!! Keep it up!
Scott Cook has a good flair with his books and I look forward to the next of any series!! Keep it up!
September 18, 2025
One of the best
Scott has done it again. His realism is fantastic. Takes you right there. And throws in a lot of suspense. Looking forward to more of the same.
Scott has done it again. His realism is fantastic. Takes you right there. And throws in a lot of suspense. Looking forward to more of the same.
September 20, 2025
best one yet
Good yarn good story keep them coming and more on Megladon too. Maybe team them up at some point some point
Good yarn good story keep them coming and more on Megladon too. Maybe team them up at some point some point
September 29, 2025
Good read
Really, really, really good page turner! I truly love action and abenture. These books supply that in spades!!! Enjoy reading.
Really, really, really good page turner! I truly love action and abenture. These books supply that in spades!!! Enjoy reading.
October 7, 2025
The Shadow Knows!
Scott Cook's working knowledge of WW2 submarines really immerses the reader into the daily combat life of these boats. Engaging storytelling!
Scott Cook's working knowledge of WW2 submarines really immerses the reader into the daily combat life of these boats. Engaging storytelling!
October 9, 2025
Another excellent read. If not the best one yet. Looking forward to the next installment. What can Anvil Art get up to in number 12.
November 7, 2025
Another great read.
From smugglers and sinking freighters to going right into the Sea of Japan there is plenty of action in this book.
From smugglers and sinking freighters to going right into the Sea of Japan there is plenty of action in this book.
November 8, 2025
Great book
hard to put down. Could not let it alone sat up at night to finish it .kept me going .
hard to put down. Could not let it alone sat up at night to finish it .kept me going .
December 3, 2025
Great read as usual
Wish we had this crew and officers on duty today. We need their skill and more importantly, their sense of honor.
Wish we had this crew and officers on duty today. We need their skill and more importantly, their sense of honor.
March 3, 2026
Great series. Well written with just a few spelling errors. If you like sub stories, try this series.
March 18, 2026
Fantastic story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews