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Silent Hunter
The Russians are converting the Arctic Ocean into a Soviet domain.The American IMPERATOR … the most advanced weapon ever devised in submarine warfare. As large as an aircraft carrier, it glides silently along the ocean floor, and within it is a dazzling arsenal of weaponry, years ahead of Soviet technology.But the Russians only have one course of they must destroy IMPERATOR!
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1987
34 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Charles D. Taylor
27 books10 followersCharles D. Taylor is an American author known for his technothrillers, particularly the Bernie Ryng series, which presents Cold War-era naval conflicts set in the near future. His writing emphasizes action at sea and geopolitical tensions.
His Bernie Ryng series includes First Salvo, Choke Point, Counterstrike, and Deep Sting. He has also written standalone novels such as Show of Force, which explores the brink of World War Three, as well as Silent Hunter, War Ship, Boomer, Shadow Wars, Sightings, and Summit.
Taylor's work is marked by detailed military strategy and a focus on naval warfare, reflecting his deep knowledge of the subject.
His Bernie Ryng series includes First Salvo, Choke Point, Counterstrike, and Deep Sting. He has also written standalone novels such as Show of Force, which explores the brink of World War Three, as well as Silent Hunter, War Ship, Boomer, Shadow Wars, Sightings, and Summit.
Taylor's work is marked by detailed military strategy and a focus on naval warfare, reflecting his deep knowledge of the subject.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 3, 2022
A very good "Cold War Gets Hot" thriller. Relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union deteriorate and a sort of limited war takes place under the artic icepack, fought almost entirely with submarines (a few airplanes are involved before all the subs reach the icepack and after one submarine surfaces through an opening in the ice). The Americans have to get a huge new super-submarine across the icepack to Norway and the Russians are determined to stop it.
The submarine warfare is exciting, with the tactical situation explained to us clearly and the action unfolding in a very tense fashion. One flaw to the book actually rises out of what is initially a strength. Both the American and Russian admirals are humanized by introducing us to their families and dropping in other biographical information. This does indeed make us like both characters as human beings, but the author returns to this a few times too many later in the book. When several attack subs are silently hunting each other under the arctic ice, we don't need to break away from the action for another few pages of a fishing trip from years ago to remind us of what the protagonists have to lose. We got it. Stick to sonar, torpedoes and desperate attempts to outsmart the enemy. The time initially spent to humanize the characters was well-spent, but once the fighting starts, we're here for the undersea combat and don't need to be distraced from it.
But even with that complaint, I did enjoy the book enormously.
The submarine warfare is exciting, with the tactical situation explained to us clearly and the action unfolding in a very tense fashion. One flaw to the book actually rises out of what is initially a strength. Both the American and Russian admirals are humanized by introducing us to their families and dropping in other biographical information. This does indeed make us like both characters as human beings, but the author returns to this a few times too many later in the book. When several attack subs are silently hunting each other under the arctic ice, we don't need to break away from the action for another few pages of a fishing trip from years ago to remind us of what the protagonists have to lose. We got it. Stick to sonar, torpedoes and desperate attempts to outsmart the enemy. The time initially spent to humanize the characters was well-spent, but once the fighting starts, we're here for the undersea combat and don't need to be distraced from it.
But even with that complaint, I did enjoy the book enormously.
July 9, 2017
Thrilling
Great book with terrific description of battle scenes. The book increases in intensity as it ends. Only sections dealing with family were a drag on the overall rating that I recorded.
Great book with terrific description of battle scenes. The book increases in intensity as it ends. Only sections dealing with family were a drag on the overall rating that I recorded.
November 17, 2012
Rather formulaic.
Lonely American captain falls for the only female in the environment. Awkward realization of mutual interest starts to interfere with their efficiency.
Lonely Russian admiral misses the love of his life, a love who is at home dying.
American war machine is superior in every way to the enemy but critical functions fail at the worst times.
Bigger is better. In this case, the submarine is big to allow it to carry a Marine battalion capable of a beach invasion. Normally, payload or troop carrying functions are separated from fighting functions. That is why we have both SSN and SSBN. Also tanks and infantry carriers. Bombers and fighters. Etc.
The justification for this submarine's capability and mission seem weak to me.
I regret the time spent reading this book.
Lonely American captain falls for the only female in the environment. Awkward realization of mutual interest starts to interfere with their efficiency.
Lonely Russian admiral misses the love of his life, a love who is at home dying.
American war machine is superior in every way to the enemy but critical functions fail at the worst times.
Bigger is better. In this case, the submarine is big to allow it to carry a Marine battalion capable of a beach invasion. Normally, payload or troop carrying functions are separated from fighting functions. That is why we have both SSN and SSBN. Also tanks and infantry carriers. Bombers and fighters. Etc.
The justification for this submarine's capability and mission seem weak to me.
I regret the time spent reading this book.
December 23, 2015
Good but not great.
Slow to get started. Too much time spent exploring the personal lives of two of the main characters, the Russian admiral and the American captain, which seemed more like filler than adding much to the story. The author provided a suspenseful ending. If you like submarine yarns, you will enjoy this one
Slow to get started. Too much time spent exploring the personal lives of two of the main characters, the Russian admiral and the American captain, which seemed more like filler than adding much to the story. The author provided a suspenseful ending. If you like submarine yarns, you will enjoy this one
February 7, 2016
Being an old ASW officer for a short time on a DER, I really was by the tactics and strategies mesmerized by the tactics and strategies employed by both opponents as well as the backdrop personal stories. A"Well Done".
Being an old ASW officer for a short time on a DER, I really was mesmerized by the strategies & tactics by both opponents. A "Well Done"
Being an old ASW officer for a short time on a DER, I really was mesmerized by the strategies & tactics by both opponents. A "Well Done"
December 15, 2015
Excellent Sub warfare Thriller
The storyline will hook you. I like Taylor because his major characters have a family life beyond the call to duty and honor. As it really is with our military hero's. I hope C D Taylor has many more stories moving through the pipeline.
The storyline will hook you. I like Taylor because his major characters have a family life beyond the call to duty and honor. As it really is with our military hero's. I hope C D Taylor has many more stories moving through the pipeline.
January 13, 2016
Good solid read. The author does a good job of describing the underwater action. Characters are a bit flat but not too flat to ruin the story. Overall a great book for those who enjoy a good story.
January 11, 2014
This was an interesting book but did not keep my interest as the writing was a little dry, hard to get into the action and only a little interest in the characters.
December 3, 2015
This was a very quick enjoyable read for me. The plot was interesting, considering it could be possible, the characters were believable to a certain degree, and the action was constant.
December 31, 2016
Not one of my favorites. The book is not without its redeeming qualities, but it was a hard read for me.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews