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Going Deep: John Phillip Holland and the Invention of the Attack Submarine
The controversial history of the attack submarine—and the story of its colorful creator, John Philip Holland—that reveals how this imaginative invention changed the face of modern warfare.
From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea to The Hunt for Red October , readers the world over have demonstrated an enduring fascination with travel under the sea. Yet the riveting story behind the invention of the submarine—an epic saga of genius, persistence, ruthlessness, and deceit—is almost completely unknown.
Like Henry Ford and the Wright brothers, John Philip Holland was completely self-taught, a brilliant man raised in humble circumstances, earning his living as a schoolteacher and choirmaster. But all the while he was obsessed with creating a machine that could successfully cruise beneath the waves. His struggle to unlock the mystery behind controlled undersea navigation would take three decades, during which he endured skepticism, disappointment, and betrayal. But his indestructible belief in himself and his ideas led him to finally succeed where so many others had failed.
Going Deep is a vivid chronicle of the fierce battles not only under the water, but also in the back rooms of Wall Street and the committee rooms of Congress. A rousing adventure—surrounded by an atmosphere of corruption and greed—at its heart this a story of bravery, passion, and the unbreakable determination to succeed against long odds.
From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea to The Hunt for Red October , readers the world over have demonstrated an enduring fascination with travel under the sea. Yet the riveting story behind the invention of the submarine—an epic saga of genius, persistence, ruthlessness, and deceit—is almost completely unknown.
Like Henry Ford and the Wright brothers, John Philip Holland was completely self-taught, a brilliant man raised in humble circumstances, earning his living as a schoolteacher and choirmaster. But all the while he was obsessed with creating a machine that could successfully cruise beneath the waves. His struggle to unlock the mystery behind controlled undersea navigation would take three decades, during which he endured skepticism, disappointment, and betrayal. But his indestructible belief in himself and his ideas led him to finally succeed where so many others had failed.
Going Deep is a vivid chronicle of the fierce battles not only under the water, but also in the back rooms of Wall Street and the committee rooms of Congress. A rousing adventure—surrounded by an atmosphere of corruption and greed—at its heart this a story of bravery, passion, and the unbreakable determination to succeed against long odds.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published June 6, 2017
20 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Goldstone
45 books199 followersLawrence Goldstone is the author of fourteen books of both fiction and non-fiction. Six of those books were co-authored with his wife, Nancy, but they now write separately to save what is left of their dishes.
Goldstone's articles, reviews, and opinion pieces have appeared in, among other publications, the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Hartford Courant, and Berkshire Eagle. He has also written for a number of magazines that have gone bust, although he denies any cause and effect.
His first novel, Rights, won a New American Writing Award but he now cringes at its awkward prose. (Anatomy of Deception and The Astronomer are much better.)
Despite a seemingly incurable tendency to say what's on his mind (thus mortifying Nancy), Goldstone has been widely interviewed on both radio and television, with appearances on, among others, "Fresh Air" (NPR), "To the Best of Our Knowledge" (NPR), "The Faith Middleton Show" (NPR), "Tavis Smiley" (PBS), and Leonard Lopate (WNYC). His work has also been profiled in The New York Times, The Toronto Star, numerous regional newspapers, Salon, and Slate.
Goldstone holds a PhD in American Constitutional Studies from the New School. His friends thus call him DrG, although he can barely touch the rim. (Sigh. Can't make a layup anymore either.) He and his beloved bride founded and ran an innovative series of parent-child book groups, which they documented in Deconstructing Penguins. He has also been a teacher, lecturer, senior member of a Wall Street trading firm, taxi driver, actor, quiz show contestant, and policy analyst at the Hudson Institute.
He is a unerring stock picker. Everything he buys instantly goes down.
Goldstone's articles, reviews, and opinion pieces have appeared in, among other publications, the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Hartford Courant, and Berkshire Eagle. He has also written for a number of magazines that have gone bust, although he denies any cause and effect.
His first novel, Rights, won a New American Writing Award but he now cringes at its awkward prose. (Anatomy of Deception and The Astronomer are much better.)
Despite a seemingly incurable tendency to say what's on his mind (thus mortifying Nancy), Goldstone has been widely interviewed on both radio and television, with appearances on, among others, "Fresh Air" (NPR), "To the Best of Our Knowledge" (NPR), "The Faith Middleton Show" (NPR), "Tavis Smiley" (PBS), and Leonard Lopate (WNYC). His work has also been profiled in The New York Times, The Toronto Star, numerous regional newspapers, Salon, and Slate.
Goldstone holds a PhD in American Constitutional Studies from the New School. His friends thus call him DrG, although he can barely touch the rim. (Sigh. Can't make a layup anymore either.) He and his beloved bride founded and ran an innovative series of parent-child book groups, which they documented in Deconstructing Penguins. He has also been a teacher, lecturer, senior member of a Wall Street trading firm, taxi driver, actor, quiz show contestant, and policy analyst at the Hudson Institute.
He is a unerring stock picker. Everything he buys instantly goes down.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 22, 2023
This book deals with the evolution of the submarine. Surprisingly, interest began in the 1500s. Much of the book covers the time from the late 1800s to early 1900s. The perseverance of the men involved is amazing, playing out over decades. There is a fair amount of technical information included, much of which has probably been simplified for the average reader.
May 23, 2019
They are a vital part of the US Navy's fleet and their operations. They continue to get bigger, faster, quieter, and more deadly with each new iteration. And they have played a crucial role in every military conflict of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Yet when they were first developed, there were few who wanted anything to do with them. The handful of men who poured blood, sweat, and tears into their designs, construction, and trials also fought tooth and nail for anyone to notice the genius of these new vessels sitting in their ports. And that is the true story at the heart of Going Deep - it is the story of John Holland's lifelong battle to get his designs for a submersible vessel of war approved for inclusion in the United States military.
Holland didn't invent the submarine. Goldstone opens this fascinating study with an overview of that history, touching on the major players in submarine development including Cornelius Drebbel, Robert Fulton, David Bushnell, and Horace Hunley. But when Holland came onto the scene in the late 1800s, he introduced new elements that are still part of every submarine built today. And he designed the first submarines that could feasibly participate in a naval conflict (as opposed to some of the earlier designs, like those by Bushnell and Hunley, which were meant to be vessels of war, but lacked the practical elements needed to really contribute to a naval victory).
When it came time for the US Navy to take notice, however, Holland faced opposition at every turn. In addition to innovation-averse naval brass (no self-respecting navy would ever engage in something as underhanded and dishonorable as submarine warfare!), Holland found himself pitted against competing designers (most notably Simon Lake, who focused an inordinate amount of time and energy on destroying Holland), greedy and power-hungry Congress representatives (bribes anyone?), and even his own partners (patent theft being only one abhorrent act they committed). It is these obstacles, ones that tore Holland to shreds and nearly destroyed his dreams of designing a new type of naval warship, that make up the heart of Going Deep.
The book is a gripping read, more so because submarines today are an established element in the United States Navy, and in powerful navies around the world. The outcome of both World Wars hinged heavily on the submarine, and their value as reconnaissance vehicles in the Cold War years cannot be calculated. Yet as Going Deep explores, the history of the submarine could have turned on a single spin of a ship's wheel. Had Holland not persisted, had Lake not fought so bitterly against him, who knows if we would have these vessels today? Or, if we did, what purpose would they serve?
Yet when they were first developed, there were few who wanted anything to do with them. The handful of men who poured blood, sweat, and tears into their designs, construction, and trials also fought tooth and nail for anyone to notice the genius of these new vessels sitting in their ports. And that is the true story at the heart of Going Deep - it is the story of John Holland's lifelong battle to get his designs for a submersible vessel of war approved for inclusion in the United States military.
Holland didn't invent the submarine. Goldstone opens this fascinating study with an overview of that history, touching on the major players in submarine development including Cornelius Drebbel, Robert Fulton, David Bushnell, and Horace Hunley. But when Holland came onto the scene in the late 1800s, he introduced new elements that are still part of every submarine built today. And he designed the first submarines that could feasibly participate in a naval conflict (as opposed to some of the earlier designs, like those by Bushnell and Hunley, which were meant to be vessels of war, but lacked the practical elements needed to really contribute to a naval victory).
When it came time for the US Navy to take notice, however, Holland faced opposition at every turn. In addition to innovation-averse naval brass (no self-respecting navy would ever engage in something as underhanded and dishonorable as submarine warfare!), Holland found himself pitted against competing designers (most notably Simon Lake, who focused an inordinate amount of time and energy on destroying Holland), greedy and power-hungry Congress representatives (bribes anyone?), and even his own partners (patent theft being only one abhorrent act they committed). It is these obstacles, ones that tore Holland to shreds and nearly destroyed his dreams of designing a new type of naval warship, that make up the heart of Going Deep.
The book is a gripping read, more so because submarines today are an established element in the United States Navy, and in powerful navies around the world. The outcome of both World Wars hinged heavily on the submarine, and their value as reconnaissance vehicles in the Cold War years cannot be calculated. Yet as Going Deep explores, the history of the submarine could have turned on a single spin of a ship's wheel. Had Holland not persisted, had Lake not fought so bitterly against him, who knows if we would have these vessels today? Or, if we did, what purpose would they serve?
July 10, 2017
We generally say that Orville and Wilbur Wright invented the airplane, which is not technically correct, but we say it anyway. The popular ideal is that, for everything that is invented, there is one inventor (well, two, in the case of the Wrights) who gets all of the credit for the invention. Certainly the Patent Office sees it that way.
But that’s not usually how invention works. As the Wrights would be able to tell you themselves, they never would have been able to develop the first functional airplane had other people not first invented the lightweight gasoline engine that they used to power it, or the propeller, or any of the other elements that they put together successfully. The airplane was not one discrete invention; like most things, it is a combination of many different inventions put together in a unique way. The same thing is true of your car, your smartphone and, of course, nuclear submarines...
Read the rest of the review at Bookreporter: http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/g...
But that’s not usually how invention works. As the Wrights would be able to tell you themselves, they never would have been able to develop the first functional airplane had other people not first invented the lightweight gasoline engine that they used to power it, or the propeller, or any of the other elements that they put together successfully. The airplane was not one discrete invention; like most things, it is a combination of many different inventions put together in a unique way. The same thing is true of your car, your smartphone and, of course, nuclear submarines...
Read the rest of the review at Bookreporter: http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/g...
May 2, 2024
Great Book
Great book. The Holland VI, later commissioned as the USS Holland SS-1, was the first submarine sold to the United Sates Navy on 11 April 1900. John Phillip Holland spent over 25 years designing the craft. But the story is more than just the physical creation of a submarine. It’s about acquiring investment capitol, the incorporation of manufacturing companies, back stabbing business partners, the theft of Holland’s patent rights, competition with jealous competitors, manufactured scandal and marketing a submarine to an unappreciative Admiralty, a balking congress and an unlimited supply of venal Goverment Bureaucrats. This is the real story of the birth of the United States Submarine fleet. It‘s not romantic, but it is interesting.
Great book. The Holland VI, later commissioned as the USS Holland SS-1, was the first submarine sold to the United Sates Navy on 11 April 1900. John Phillip Holland spent over 25 years designing the craft. But the story is more than just the physical creation of a submarine. It’s about acquiring investment capitol, the incorporation of manufacturing companies, back stabbing business partners, the theft of Holland’s patent rights, competition with jealous competitors, manufactured scandal and marketing a submarine to an unappreciative Admiralty, a balking congress and an unlimited supply of venal Goverment Bureaucrats. This is the real story of the birth of the United States Submarine fleet. It‘s not romantic, but it is interesting.
July 28, 2024
Overall a good book, there were some grammar errors that can easily derail momentum in reading. That aside worth the read. I think it could fall into two categories, fascinating detailed history of submarine development to when submarines finally realized as a need for any navy and leadership and management based on the examination of how Simon Lake, Electric Boat Company, and John Holland did business. Each chapter is an interesting story connecting how success or set backs led to the first attack submarine. You can’t help but compare our bureaucratic system to what they experienced and wonder have we improved. Turns out the US could have had the submarine at least 20 years earlier and way cheaper.
June 30, 2017
Review of a very good and complexity read!!!!!!!!!
I classify Lawrence Goldstone's book entitled GOING DEEP as one of the most fantastic and interesting reads on history of the Gilded Age viva the completion of the invention and delivery of the attack submarines. He makes history interesting and complex!!!!!!!!! I would recommend this book to history bluffs and also to people that are interested in an excellent read and a well-researched book that reveals why history is history!!!!!!!!!
I classify Lawrence Goldstone's book entitled GOING DEEP as one of the most fantastic and interesting reads on history of the Gilded Age viva the completion of the invention and delivery of the attack submarines. He makes history interesting and complex!!!!!!!!! I would recommend this book to history bluffs and also to people that are interested in an excellent read and a well-researched book that reveals why history is history!!!!!!!!!
August 20, 2017
The history of the technology and development of the submarine was fascinating.
The history of the political maneuvering, bad competition, and back biting, while perhaps accurate and necessary was a slow drag on the pace of the last third of the book.
However, it is interesting how the pace of development from 1880 to WWI suddenly quickened in the last 10 years before the war. It is stunning how these boats went from experimental to deadly in just a few short years.
The varied fates of the inventors is also interesting.
The history of the political maneuvering, bad competition, and back biting, while perhaps accurate and necessary was a slow drag on the pace of the last third of the book.
However, it is interesting how the pace of development from 1880 to WWI suddenly quickened in the last 10 years before the war. It is stunning how these boats went from experimental to deadly in just a few short years.
The varied fates of the inventors is also interesting.
February 5, 2025
The development of the submarine was a bit dry to say the least. There were two competing companies and you throw in congressional investigations and it bogs down quickly. That being said there were some interesting nuggets of information and I’m always interested in a good submarine story.
Only read if you are really interested in subs.
Only read if you are really interested in subs.
July 4, 2017
Not what I expected. Holland is one of several main characters in the book. The book was certainly about the development of the submarine, but also about cronyism and intrigue within the US government (nothing new).
April 19, 2018
This is a very interesting story, told well. Unfortunately the author gets bogged down with some of the political machinations of the time which really drag the book down towards the latter parts, but aside from that section, overall this is a very readable book.
December 8, 2019
Good read
Amazingly compelling didn't know that the submarine history was that complicated . The characters were not the simple people I expected to find behind such the time
Amazingly compelling didn't know that the submarine history was that complicated . The characters were not the simple people I expected to find behind such the time
December 10, 2025
At least John Holland seems to have lead a happy life after getting shafted.
Intriguing look at the development of the submarine, it would have been interesting though to see how Germany developed their part.
Intriguing look at the development of the submarine, it would have been interesting though to see how Germany developed their part.
July 16, 2017
Didn't finish. I thought it would be more interesting.
July 20, 2017
Quite a good read! Very sad to see the originator of excellent ideas in the submarine world to be denied by greedy men and unscrupulous politicians. Money talks then and now.
December 1, 2017
Surprisingly human bunch of characters involved in this. Very interesting if you have any interest in the development modern things that we take for granted.
April 9, 2018
I really enjoyed the historical antecedents of the invention itself; did not care for the legal wrangling regarding its coming to fruition.
July 4, 2023
Interesting but slow with what I felt was a lot of filler. Not as good as other naval books I’ve read recently
July 22, 2022
Very readable and generally well-researched. Covers the early development of submarines prior to Holland, with colour and a commendable degree of detail, and then goes into detail on Holland’s work, the capture of his company by Elihu Frost and Isaac Rice, it’s transformation into Electric Boat and its competition with (and the work of) Simon Lake. It also rounds out the story by discussing concurrent submarine developments in Europe, and the international sales by Electric Boat, Lake and (by then independent again) John Holland, and gives a good American-focussed impression of the development of the submarine.
It’s not a technical book, but still demonstrates a good understanding of the function of submarines, while covering the careers and contests of the key players. It spends no small amount of time on the lobbying and legal shenanigans that players got up to, although (presumably for lack of evidence) cannot always provide clear conclusions. The light it shines on the machinations of US politics at the turn of the 20th century show that many of the issues the US faces today were evident in the weaknesses of its political institutions well over a century ago.
It is very well written, from word-to-word, sentence-to-sentence to the order by which the information is presented in chapters. While a mostly written work, it contains a number of illustrations scattered throughout the text, as well as some diagrams of the early submarines, which help the reader appreciate the story being told in the text. It also contains a bibliography and an index, making it useful as the springboard for further reading, and for further reference in future.
There are other lapses of attention to detail, such as when talking of escaped convicts trekking through the “jungle” near Fremantle (any jungles in that area predated human civilization), and the occasional grammatical slip, but the quality of the work is well above average.
Altogether, it’s a very easy book to recommend to anyone interested in the development of “modern” submarines, as well as an enjoyable non-fiction read outright.
It’s not a technical book, but still demonstrates a good understanding of the function of submarines, while covering the careers and contests of the key players. It spends no small amount of time on the lobbying and legal shenanigans that players got up to, although (presumably for lack of evidence) cannot always provide clear conclusions. The light it shines on the machinations of US politics at the turn of the 20th century show that many of the issues the US faces today were evident in the weaknesses of its political institutions well over a century ago.
It is very well written, from word-to-word, sentence-to-sentence to the order by which the information is presented in chapters. While a mostly written work, it contains a number of illustrations scattered throughout the text, as well as some diagrams of the early submarines, which help the reader appreciate the story being told in the text. It also contains a bibliography and an index, making it useful as the springboard for further reading, and for further reference in future.
There are other lapses of attention to detail, such as when talking of escaped convicts trekking through the “jungle” near Fremantle (any jungles in that area predated human civilization), and the occasional grammatical slip, but the quality of the work is well above average.
Altogether, it’s a very easy book to recommend to anyone interested in the development of “modern” submarines, as well as an enjoyable non-fiction read outright.
November 16, 2018
Inside and out, the building of the first real submarine for the US Navy was so unreal a science fiction writer could not have dreamed it up. With a brief history of underwater craft design through the ages then on to the struggles of the Irish nationals Mr. Goldstone sets the stage for an unlikely hero named John P. Holland. This book covers the ups and downs of inventors of the late 19th century to develop and sell a truly workable underwater warship. The main focus is Mr. Holland, but other members of the underwater inventors club are also discussed. The trials of underwater navigation were nothing compared to the political navigation that occurred just to sell an idea who's time had come. Technology had caught up with the idea, now it was a man named John P. Holland who had to prove it. This book helps explain how he did and what happened next.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews