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USS Stonewall Jackson #2
The Spratly Incident
One sea. Two super powers. Disputed islands. Only one submarine will prevail.
Who owns the Spratly Islands is in dispute; the islands and reefs in the South China Sea sit atop vast oil and gas wealth. The People’s Republic of China is taking possession of what they consider their territory, building vast sea fortresses and airbases in the area.
Invasion, plundering of territory, peoples expelled, piracy and armed clashes on the High Seas. But this isn’t the age of the pirates, it’s the present day, and the smaller Asian nations are powerless to stop this piracy.
Only one nation on Earth can face down the People’s Republic: the USA. It’s time to stand tall; America needs to take a stand.
Commander Nathan Blake controls the most powerful and silent diesel-electric submarine to ever patrol the deeps: the USS Stonewall Jackson.
Together with his crew, Nathan will sail into deadly peril, into the Dragon’s lair itself. He’ll need every man and woman aboard to excel when they face the most cunning, formidable foe that they’ve ever encountered. Stealth, guile and brute force will be called for.
Can the United States prevail against the might of the People’s Liberation Army Navy? Follow Nathan and his crew as they take their stand.
What Amazon readers are saying about the book:
★★★★★ ‘This whole series of books on the USS Stonewall Jackson really holds your interest.’
★★★★ ’A decent book that shows the potential of this author.’
★★★★★ ‘It is a very interesting book! I would recommend it to anyone who likes submarine warfare. The plot is an eye opener and seems convincing.’
★★★★★ ‘Good book to read; keeps your interest the whole time.’
★★★★★ ‘Excellent reading, provocative, and very scary. Once I started, I could not stop. Now I wonder if we are prepared?’
★★★★★ ‘Very good read. Will recommend to all my friends.’
★★★★★ ‘Whole series is consistently terrific.’
Who owns the Spratly Islands is in dispute; the islands and reefs in the South China Sea sit atop vast oil and gas wealth. The People’s Republic of China is taking possession of what they consider their territory, building vast sea fortresses and airbases in the area.
Invasion, plundering of territory, peoples expelled, piracy and armed clashes on the High Seas. But this isn’t the age of the pirates, it’s the present day, and the smaller Asian nations are powerless to stop this piracy.
Only one nation on Earth can face down the People’s Republic: the USA. It’s time to stand tall; America needs to take a stand.
Commander Nathan Blake controls the most powerful and silent diesel-electric submarine to ever patrol the deeps: the USS Stonewall Jackson.
Together with his crew, Nathan will sail into deadly peril, into the Dragon’s lair itself. He’ll need every man and woman aboard to excel when they face the most cunning, formidable foe that they’ve ever encountered. Stealth, guile and brute force will be called for.
Can the United States prevail against the might of the People’s Liberation Army Navy? Follow Nathan and his crew as they take their stand.
What Amazon readers are saying about the book:
★★★★★ ‘This whole series of books on the USS Stonewall Jackson really holds your interest.’
★★★★ ’A decent book that shows the potential of this author.’
★★★★★ ‘It is a very interesting book! I would recommend it to anyone who likes submarine warfare. The plot is an eye opener and seems convincing.’
★★★★★ ‘Good book to read; keeps your interest the whole time.’
★★★★★ ‘Excellent reading, provocative, and very scary. Once I started, I could not stop. Now I wonder if we are prepared?’
★★★★★ ‘Very good read. Will recommend to all my friends.’
★★★★★ ‘Whole series is consistently terrific.’
183 pages, ebook
Published March 24, 2018
994 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Makk
24 books29 followersStephen Makk is the author of 20 books, including the bestselling USS Stonewall Jackson Series and The Tom Hilton Series. He mainly writes thrillers about technology and the military, with hints of romance. His protagonists are male and female, playing the imperfect hands they’re dealt.
How to write like a Makk… Take the mind of a fish, any fish (he’s an experienced diver). Add an engineer, simmer for years. Sprinkle on liberal helpings of strategist, astronomer, historian and anthropologist. Bring to the boil and let loose. You need some Makk on your bookshelf!
How to write like a Makk… Take the mind of a fish, any fish (he’s an experienced diver). Add an engineer, simmer for years. Sprinkle on liberal helpings of strategist, astronomer, historian and anthropologist. Bring to the boil and let loose. You need some Makk on your bookshelf!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 14, 2020
More of the same, more meat please!
September 1, 2025
Enjoyed this one although it was a bit short. The story was ok; a bit scant on the technical detail and the spy side story was a bit odd but it was ok! Onto the next.
February 24, 2019
An SM. Submarine Thriller (USSSJ - 2)/Spratley Islands/South China Sea
SM. has. penned the second novel in the USSSJ. whom is assigned the task of deploying underwater listening devices on Chinese under water listening cables. As they complete this mission they are given another assignment to destroy a new type of aircraft destroying missle. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
SM. has. penned the second novel in the USSSJ. whom is assigned the task of deploying underwater listening devices on Chinese under water listening cables. As they complete this mission they are given another assignment to destroy a new type of aircraft destroying missle. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
October 10, 2020
Interesting concepts of tapping into comms lines. But the good guy does loose something or someone sometimes. The fact that the good guys all come home without a scratch isn't the case quite often.
Several misleading statements that didn't match information given later or before in the book. Felt like the directions given a few times contradict each other as to where the ship was going. Repeating back of orders, directions, depths were not always correct. One time it was "make your depth 800" and the reply came back "600". No suspense in the story as you always knew the outcome would be 'OK"
Several misleading statements that didn't match information given later or before in the book. Felt like the directions given a few times contradict each other as to where the ship was going. Repeating back of orders, directions, depths were not always correct. One time it was "make your depth 800" and the reply came back "600". No suspense in the story as you always knew the outcome would be 'OK"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2019
Yeah, well.
A good yarn, if somewhat unbelievable. In real life these events would spark a major confrontation, if not WWIII. Grammatical errors abound, which detract from reading the book. And, oh my, it is so full of crass sexual language and behaviour that it made me wonder where the author’s mind dwells.
A good yarn, if somewhat unbelievable. In real life these events would spark a major confrontation, if not WWIII. Grammatical errors abound, which detract from reading the book. And, oh my, it is so full of crass sexual language and behaviour that it made me wonder where the author’s mind dwells.
August 12, 2020
No on this one
I wasn't impressed with the story line in this book. The sea battles went to perfect! Yes our under sea boats are very dangerous, but the Chinese are not that stupid either. The jury is still out on the hanky Pinky between the Capitan of the boat and one of his officers!
I wasn't impressed with the story line in this book. The sea battles went to perfect! Yes our under sea boats are very dangerous, but the Chinese are not that stupid either. The jury is still out on the hanky Pinky between the Capitan of the boat and one of his officers!
May 21, 2022
How lucky can a submarine be ........?
An interesting but short read that sets up highly improbable situations that in reality would lead to war. However, this is fiction with some likely aspects thrown in to balance the unlikely.
An interesting but short read that sets up highly improbable situations that in reality would lead to war. However, this is fiction with some likely aspects thrown in to balance the unlikely.
October 2, 2023
Full of militaryacronyms
The story and mission is ever evolving but clearly narrated. For me, an ex army grunt, the acronyms were too numerous, unfathomable and irrelevant fortunately easily ignored. If this is what submarine duty is like, thank goodness I joined the Army.
The story and mission is ever evolving but clearly narrated. For me, an ex army grunt, the acronyms were too numerous, unfathomable and irrelevant fortunately easily ignored. If this is what submarine duty is like, thank goodness I joined the Army.
April 25, 2018
A intriguing submarine story
It was riveting, suspenseful naval submarine action, however it went beyond believable, by the time. It was about three quarter into story.
It was riveting, suspenseful naval submarine action, however it went beyond believable, by the time. It was about three quarter into story.
May 9, 2018
👍 Great book!
It is a very interesting book! I would recommend it to anyone who likes submarine warfare. The plot is an eye opener and seems convincing.
It is a very interesting book! I would recommend it to anyone who likes submarine warfare. The plot is an eye opener and seems convincing.
June 12, 2018
H Ferguson
I enjoy the Clancyesk style of writing this is right up there , original plot with plenty of brass in the picture .
I enjoy the Clancyesk style of writing this is right up there , original plot with plenty of brass in the picture .
June 30, 2018
The spratly incident
Typical slam bam "Rambo" only with the nautical slant. Super capability for the US side and close but no cigar for the PLAN! Hard to believe but worth the read
Typical slam bam "Rambo" only with the nautical slant. Super capability for the US side and close but no cigar for the PLAN! Hard to believe but worth the read
April 5, 2020
On ...
A bit clumsy. Short. The vulgarity really adds nothing to the story. Good storyline and rapid action scenes save it from one star.
A bit clumsy. Short. The vulgarity really adds nothing to the story. Good storyline and rapid action scenes save it from one star.
May 23, 2020
Great series. Really enjoyed the story.
July 11, 2020
Outstanding
If you liked Hunter Killer movie or read the series, you’ll definitely like this book and series...so far. Quick read, lots of action, no boring subplots.
If you liked Hunter Killer movie or read the series, you’ll definitely like this book and series...so far. Quick read, lots of action, no boring subplots.
March 12, 2021
Very good
If you are a fan of Patrick Robinson this will be right up your street . Very good story and plot lines
If you are a fan of Patrick Robinson this will be right up your street . Very good story and plot lines
Read
April 2, 2022Fast action read
The fast action and suspense will keep you reading. The daring and luck of the battle encounters will have you holding your breath.
The fast action and suspense will keep you reading. The daring and luck of the battle encounters will have you holding your breath.
February 28, 2023
Another good yarn.
In addition to my comments made on book one, I found it a little annoying to read British spellings in a story about the US Navy.
In addition to my comments made on book one, I found it a little annoying to read British spellings in a story about the US Navy.
November 7, 2023
great read
Non stop actions, Can’t wait to continue reading the rest of series. I like the way they continue the characters across the series.
Non stop actions, Can’t wait to continue reading the rest of series. I like the way they continue the characters across the series.
January 10, 2024
Great storyline
Loved the technical details presented with the attacks.
South China Sea is probably where many future encounters will happen with China
Loved the technical details presented with the attacks.
South China Sea is probably where many future encounters will happen with China
November 30, 2024
Modern submarine warfare
I usually read WW2 naval history and fiction. This is a treat to read about modern naval operations and countermeasures.
I usually read WW2 naval history and fiction. This is a treat to read about modern naval operations and countermeasures.
May 19, 2020
A completely unrealistic novel on many planes. It is obvious that little or no investigation was done on US Navy organization and operating procedures. The conning officer DOES NOT direct tank utilization when changing depth. He orders the Diving Officer to change depth. The DOOW coordinates the change with the Chief of the Watch who actually moves water to regulate buoyancy.
NEVER are first names used to either enlisted or officer personnel when actually on watch. And the nomenclature used during torpedo operations is absolutely false. Having served on submarines for over 15 yrs I never heard a target was “hot” when destroyed. This may be how Brit submarines handle an attack.
And finally, the Chief of Naval Operations DOES NOT ORDER SHIPS ANYWHERE. HE/she heads the administrative chain of command, not the tactical chain. Various fleet commanders receive orders from POTUS via SECDEF.
NEVER are first names used to either enlisted or officer personnel when actually on watch. And the nomenclature used during torpedo operations is absolutely false. Having served on submarines for over 15 yrs I never heard a target was “hot” when destroyed. This may be how Brit submarines handle an attack.
And finally, the Chief of Naval Operations DOES NOT ORDER SHIPS ANYWHERE. HE/she heads the administrative chain of command, not the tactical chain. Various fleet commanders receive orders from POTUS via SECDEF.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews