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The Good Shepherd
Soon to be the major motion picture Greyhound, a WWII naval thriller of "high and glittering excitement" (New York Times) from the author of the legendary Hornblower series
The mission of Commander George Krause of the United States Navy is to protect a convoy of thirty-seven merchant ships making their way across the icy North Atlantic from America to England. There, they will deliver desperately needed supplies, but only if they can make it through the wolfpack of German submarines that awaits and outnumbers them in the perilous seas.
For forty eight hours, Krause will play a desperate cat and mouse game against the submarines, combating exhaustion, hunger, and thirst to protect fifty million dollars' worth of cargo and the lives of three thousand men.
Acclaimed as one of the best novels of the year upon publication in 1955, The Good Shepherd is a riveting classic of WWII and naval warfare from one of the 20th century's masters of sea stories.
The mission of Commander George Krause of the United States Navy is to protect a convoy of thirty-seven merchant ships making their way across the icy North Atlantic from America to England. There, they will deliver desperately needed supplies, but only if they can make it through the wolfpack of German submarines that awaits and outnumbers them in the perilous seas.
For forty eight hours, Krause will play a desperate cat and mouse game against the submarines, combating exhaustion, hunger, and thirst to protect fifty million dollars' worth of cargo and the lives of three thousand men.
Acclaimed as one of the best novels of the year upon publication in 1955, The Good Shepherd is a riveting classic of WWII and naval warfare from one of the 20th century's masters of sea stories.
261 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
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8499 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Forester
236 books977 followersCecil Scott Forester was the pen name of Cecil Louis Troughton Smith, an English novelist who rose to fame with tales of adventure and military crusades. His most notable works were the 11-book Horatio Hornblower series, about naval warfare during the Napoleonic era, and The African Queen (1935; filmed in 1951 by John Huston). His novels A Ship of the Line and Flying Colours were jointly awarded the 1938 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction.
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April 29, 2023
“Beyond the circle, in every direction, the sea extended for a thousand miles, and beneath it the water was two miles deep; neither figure was easily to be grasped by the imagination, although acceptable as an academic fact. Two long miles below lay the sea bottom, darker than the center of the longest and darkest tunnel ever built by man, under pressures greater than any ever built up in factory or laboratory, a world unknown and unexplored, to be visited not by men but perhaps by their dead bodies encased in and made part of the iron coffins of their crushed-in ships. And the big ships, to insignificant man so huge and so solid, sank to that sea bottom, to the immemorial ooze in the darkness and cold, with no more ado or stir than would be caused comparatively by specks of dust falling on a ballroom floor…”
- C.S. Forester, The Good Shepherd: A Novel
C.S. Forester’s The Good Shepherd is an excellent example of a book that knows exactly what it is trying to do, and executes it to perfection. Unlike the massively ambitious, sprawling Second World War epics by authors such as Herman Wouk, James Jones, and Vasily Grossman, Forester’s tale of a convoy crossing the Atlantic is intensely focused and self-contained. Its scope is narrowed to the vision of one man; the enormity of the war condensed into a few tense days.
***
The plot is simplicity itself.
Commander George Krause, captain of the Mahan class destroyer USS Keeling, is charged with protecting a convoy sailing from the United States to Great Britain. While in the middle of the Atlantic – outside the range of sub-hunting airplanes – Krause engages in a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek with a wolfpack of German submarines. The winner gets to go home; the loser ends up on the seabed.
The battle between subs and destroyers, destroyers and subs, has created its very own literary and cinematic subgenre. There is no shortage of novels and movies that follow the exact outlines sketched by Forester in The Good Shepherd.
The twist here – and it’s a clever one – is that almost all the action takes place within Krause’s head, as he is forced to make hundreds of time-sensitive decisions while battling fatigue, hunger, and an aching bladder.
***
When The Good Shepherd opens, Commander Krause’s convoy is already well underway, and just about to enter the danger zone. Within the first handful of pages, the Keeling makes contact with a German submarine, initiating a three-day period – from Wednesday to Friday – of relentless tension punctuated by brief moments of combat.
Forester writes in the third-person limited, so that we see everything through Commander Krause’s eyes alone. The fidelity he maintains to his self-imposed parameters is impressive. There is no cheating, no cutaways, no switching to another character in a different part of the ship. Certainly we never meet the Germans in their lethal undersea boats.
Almost the entirety of The Good Shepherd takes place on the Keeling’s bridge, because that is where Commander Krause stations himself. The only officers and sailors we meet are the ones that come into personal contact with the captain. The only things that we see are the things that Krause himself can see.
As someone who prefers wide-angled novels, I expected to be mildly irritated by this narrow, through-the-keyhole mode of storytelling. Here, though, it works smashingly. Forester uses the claustrophobic setting to add another layer of tautness to the already-white-knuckled proceedings. We cannot get comfortable because Commander Krause cannot get comfortable; we cannot be sure what’s happening, because he is not entirely sure what’s happening either.
The downside, of course, is that my connection to The Good Shepherd was more intellectual than emotional. Additionally, while Forester has a knack for describing the sea, the limited viewpoint means that this volume lacks the vivid, unforgettable images found in the similarly-themed The Cruel Sea.
***
Compressing the narrative runs the risk of exhausting the reader. After all, Forester packs a lot of incident into just 257 pages. With that said, the pacing is marvelous, as Forester skillfully modulates the rhythms of the story, breaking up the action with some really-detailed scenes of Commander Krause eating and drinking coffee. There are also a lot of visits to the toilet, which are thankfully far less detailed.
Forester also does a really good job of breaking up the various submarine confrontations, so that they all unfold in unique ways. Along the way, you learn a lot about antisubmarine warfare in the 1940s.
***
Cecil Scott Forester delivered quite a few enduring successes in his career, including The African Queen. He is probably most famous for his Horatio Hornblower series, eleven novels and five short stories filled to the brim with derring-do. The Good Shepherd is a very different kind of high-seas adventure, amounting to a process-oriented examination of a professional doing an extremely dangerous job.
That professional – Commander Krause – is a fascinating protagonist for unexpected reasons. He is not dashing, inspiring, or charismatic. Indeed, he is quite the opposite. He is a forty-two-year-old square with a head full of Bible verses and a stick so far up his own ass it would require careful surgery to remove it. Forester hints at a backstory – an ex-wife, a beloved father – but smartly avoids going down the road of psychological study.
What interests Forester – and what makes The Good Shepherd so interesting – is the burden of decision. Much of the book is Commander Krause doing calculations in his head, judging the intent of his enemy, and issuing confident orders based on fragmentary information. He dwells at length on quotidian details – fuel consumption, sailing speeds, the number of depth charges – that represent the difference between reaching port and having your waterlogged corpse devoured by sea creatures.
***
The Good Shepherd was used as the basis for Tom Hank’s CGI extravaganza Greyhound. While entertaining, the movie is simply over-the-top in its depiction of German U-boats slugging it out on the surface with an American destroyer in broad daylight.
The source material is much more subtle.
While there are a lot of torpedoes, depth charges, and gunfire, we are never certain that it is effective. There is no cathartic moment when Commander Krause charts a collision-course with a U-boat, and then blows it to smithereens. While there are probable kills, he is never quite certain, because certainty cannot be obtained on the basis of such incomplete evidence. Forester, through Commander Krause, meditates on the limits of human perception during traumatic encounters.
Most of the time, the Keeling is hurling depth charges into empty water, hoping to see an oil slick after they go off. Rather than presenting war as a visual spectacle – as Hollywood has done, over and over – Forester describes it as a theoretical problem of distance, speed, and triangulation. Most war novels lean into its visceral elements. Forester treats it as a particularly daunting problem of trigonometry.
- C.S. Forester, The Good Shepherd: A Novel
C.S. Forester’s The Good Shepherd is an excellent example of a book that knows exactly what it is trying to do, and executes it to perfection. Unlike the massively ambitious, sprawling Second World War epics by authors such as Herman Wouk, James Jones, and Vasily Grossman, Forester’s tale of a convoy crossing the Atlantic is intensely focused and self-contained. Its scope is narrowed to the vision of one man; the enormity of the war condensed into a few tense days.
***
The plot is simplicity itself.
Commander George Krause, captain of the Mahan class destroyer USS Keeling, is charged with protecting a convoy sailing from the United States to Great Britain. While in the middle of the Atlantic – outside the range of sub-hunting airplanes – Krause engages in a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek with a wolfpack of German submarines. The winner gets to go home; the loser ends up on the seabed.
The battle between subs and destroyers, destroyers and subs, has created its very own literary and cinematic subgenre. There is no shortage of novels and movies that follow the exact outlines sketched by Forester in The Good Shepherd.
The twist here – and it’s a clever one – is that almost all the action takes place within Krause’s head, as he is forced to make hundreds of time-sensitive decisions while battling fatigue, hunger, and an aching bladder.
***
When The Good Shepherd opens, Commander Krause’s convoy is already well underway, and just about to enter the danger zone. Within the first handful of pages, the Keeling makes contact with a German submarine, initiating a three-day period – from Wednesday to Friday – of relentless tension punctuated by brief moments of combat.
Forester writes in the third-person limited, so that we see everything through Commander Krause’s eyes alone. The fidelity he maintains to his self-imposed parameters is impressive. There is no cheating, no cutaways, no switching to another character in a different part of the ship. Certainly we never meet the Germans in their lethal undersea boats.
Almost the entirety of The Good Shepherd takes place on the Keeling’s bridge, because that is where Commander Krause stations himself. The only officers and sailors we meet are the ones that come into personal contact with the captain. The only things that we see are the things that Krause himself can see.
As someone who prefers wide-angled novels, I expected to be mildly irritated by this narrow, through-the-keyhole mode of storytelling. Here, though, it works smashingly. Forester uses the claustrophobic setting to add another layer of tautness to the already-white-knuckled proceedings. We cannot get comfortable because Commander Krause cannot get comfortable; we cannot be sure what’s happening, because he is not entirely sure what’s happening either.
The downside, of course, is that my connection to The Good Shepherd was more intellectual than emotional. Additionally, while Forester has a knack for describing the sea, the limited viewpoint means that this volume lacks the vivid, unforgettable images found in the similarly-themed The Cruel Sea.
***
Compressing the narrative runs the risk of exhausting the reader. After all, Forester packs a lot of incident into just 257 pages. With that said, the pacing is marvelous, as Forester skillfully modulates the rhythms of the story, breaking up the action with some really-detailed scenes of Commander Krause eating and drinking coffee. There are also a lot of visits to the toilet, which are thankfully far less detailed.
Forester also does a really good job of breaking up the various submarine confrontations, so that they all unfold in unique ways. Along the way, you learn a lot about antisubmarine warfare in the 1940s.
***
Cecil Scott Forester delivered quite a few enduring successes in his career, including The African Queen. He is probably most famous for his Horatio Hornblower series, eleven novels and five short stories filled to the brim with derring-do. The Good Shepherd is a very different kind of high-seas adventure, amounting to a process-oriented examination of a professional doing an extremely dangerous job.
That professional – Commander Krause – is a fascinating protagonist for unexpected reasons. He is not dashing, inspiring, or charismatic. Indeed, he is quite the opposite. He is a forty-two-year-old square with a head full of Bible verses and a stick so far up his own ass it would require careful surgery to remove it. Forester hints at a backstory – an ex-wife, a beloved father – but smartly avoids going down the road of psychological study.
What interests Forester – and what makes The Good Shepherd so interesting – is the burden of decision. Much of the book is Commander Krause doing calculations in his head, judging the intent of his enemy, and issuing confident orders based on fragmentary information. He dwells at length on quotidian details – fuel consumption, sailing speeds, the number of depth charges – that represent the difference between reaching port and having your waterlogged corpse devoured by sea creatures.
***
The Good Shepherd was used as the basis for Tom Hank’s CGI extravaganza Greyhound. While entertaining, the movie is simply over-the-top in its depiction of German U-boats slugging it out on the surface with an American destroyer in broad daylight.
The source material is much more subtle.
While there are a lot of torpedoes, depth charges, and gunfire, we are never certain that it is effective. There is no cathartic moment when Commander Krause charts a collision-course with a U-boat, and then blows it to smithereens. While there are probable kills, he is never quite certain, because certainty cannot be obtained on the basis of such incomplete evidence. Forester, through Commander Krause, meditates on the limits of human perception during traumatic encounters.
Most of the time, the Keeling is hurling depth charges into empty water, hoping to see an oil slick after they go off. Rather than presenting war as a visual spectacle – as Hollywood has done, over and over – Forester describes it as a theoretical problem of distance, speed, and triangulation. Most war novels lean into its visceral elements. Forester treats it as a particularly daunting problem of trigonometry.
June 15, 2023
As a young recruit in the US Navy, one of the more important doctrines drilled into my mind was that authority could be delegated, but responsibility never departs from the person in command. Should you find yourself in command of a bathroom cleaning crew or a capital warship, everything that happens under your command is your responsibility. And when the weight of that absolute responsibility is combined with the emotions associated with duty and honor, the result is a person that is structured to endure the extremes of human existence for a worthwhile cause.
The strength of The Good Shepherd is that it highlights this type of person in terms of Commander George Krause. Krause is an average naval officer that by chance finds himself in command of an under-strength group of destroyers tasked with the protection of a transatlantic convey from U-boat attacks. The story moves Krause through the spectrum of human endurance and demonstrates how his own combination of absolute responsibility, duty, and honor work under impossible conditions.
Beyond Krause's demonstration of good naval conduct, however, The Good Shepherd reads as a superficial story. The crew appear as a rotation of ranked and named individuals that have no personal characteristics, a past, or a future. Their actions either please or displease Krause and after a while they become a jumble of extras that are confusingly ignored. The story as well, becomes tedious. There is only one way for a destroyer to hunt a submerged submarine, which is to attempt to chase it down. This process of hide-n-seek is continuously repeated throughout the book. The sub hunts become a jumble of rudder commands, course headings, and reports all of which are acknowledged by the tried and true naval phrase, “very well.” The book also assumes a fair amount of knowledge of the naval environment which, if not present in the reader, could further serve to isolate the story.
There is not much here to enjoy beyond the celebration of duty that is exemplified by the captain and I found that reading The Good Shepherd required a bit of Krause's own ability to endure in order to make it to the end. But then again, this may have been the point.
Note: C. S. Forester spent time on board the destroyer, USS Abner Read (DD-526) in June 1943. My grandfather, Edwin Villines, was a machinist mate on board at the time. The Abner Read, with my grandfather, would eventually be struck by a mine in August 1943 during the Aleutian Island campaign and ultimately sunk by a kamikaze strike on November 1, 1944 while in Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. My grandfather managed to abandon ship and was rescued by the USS Claxton (DD-571).
The strength of The Good Shepherd is that it highlights this type of person in terms of Commander George Krause. Krause is an average naval officer that by chance finds himself in command of an under-strength group of destroyers tasked with the protection of a transatlantic convey from U-boat attacks. The story moves Krause through the spectrum of human endurance and demonstrates how his own combination of absolute responsibility, duty, and honor work under impossible conditions.
Beyond Krause's demonstration of good naval conduct, however, The Good Shepherd reads as a superficial story. The crew appear as a rotation of ranked and named individuals that have no personal characteristics, a past, or a future. Their actions either please or displease Krause and after a while they become a jumble of extras that are confusingly ignored. The story as well, becomes tedious. There is only one way for a destroyer to hunt a submerged submarine, which is to attempt to chase it down. This process of hide-n-seek is continuously repeated throughout the book. The sub hunts become a jumble of rudder commands, course headings, and reports all of which are acknowledged by the tried and true naval phrase, “very well.” The book also assumes a fair amount of knowledge of the naval environment which, if not present in the reader, could further serve to isolate the story.
There is not much here to enjoy beyond the celebration of duty that is exemplified by the captain and I found that reading The Good Shepherd required a bit of Krause's own ability to endure in order to make it to the end. But then again, this may have been the point.
Note: C. S. Forester spent time on board the destroyer, USS Abner Read (DD-526) in June 1943. My grandfather, Edwin Villines, was a machinist mate on board at the time. The Abner Read, with my grandfather, would eventually be struck by a mine in August 1943 during the Aleutian Island campaign and ultimately sunk by a kamikaze strike on November 1, 1944 while in Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. My grandfather managed to abandon ship and was rescued by the USS Claxton (DD-571).
August 28, 2020
C. S. Forester was the pen name of English novelist Cecil Louis Troughton Smith (1899-1966). He wrote one of my favorite books/movies “The African Queen”. “The Greyhound” also published under the name “The Good Shepherd” was published in 1955. This book was also made into a movie.
This story is about the “Battle for the Atlantic” during WWII. The protagonist is Commander George Krause in command of a convoy crossing the Atlantic on the way to England. The convoy is being hunted by a wolf pack of German U-Boats. There is a lot of nail-biting action with destroyers and corvettes hunting the stalking wolfpack. Forester served aboard a destroyer during World War II. I am sure his experiences add to the realistic feel of the story.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and twenty-one minutes. Jim Frangione does an excellent job narrating the book. Frangione is an actor and audiobook narrator. He has won numerous Earphone Awards, was nominated for an Audie Award and the Audiofile Magazine voted him “Best Voice of 2015”.
This story is about the “Battle for the Atlantic” during WWII. The protagonist is Commander George Krause in command of a convoy crossing the Atlantic on the way to England. The convoy is being hunted by a wolf pack of German U-Boats. There is a lot of nail-biting action with destroyers and corvettes hunting the stalking wolfpack. Forester served aboard a destroyer during World War II. I am sure his experiences add to the realistic feel of the story.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and twenty-one minutes. Jim Frangione does an excellent job narrating the book. Frangione is an actor and audiobook narrator. He has won numerous Earphone Awards, was nominated for an Audie Award and the Audiofile Magazine voted him “Best Voice of 2015”.
January 16, 2023
Oct 2, 2020 *Updated. Corrects spelling & grammar and adjusts rating*
3.4*
Not one of Forester's best novels, still a serviceable story of WW2 naval warfare, in the Battle of the Atlantic. Cmdr. Krause is a career officer in the US navy but the convoy escort mission he's leading is his first experience of actual combat and he's a mass of insecurities over his ability to command well.
Comparisons with Forester's other self doubting hero, Horatio Hornblower, are inevitable. And although he's tried to endow Krause with some distinctive traits, he doesn't really pull it off, imho. The book seems rushed and truncated compared to the careful character development, and attention to detail in the Hornblower stories. Most of the dialogue consists of course changes and other technical things and that gets old, quickly.
That's not to say the tactics of anti submarine warfare described in the book are boring; the action sequences are compelling ( except for the constant drip of course corrections, etc). I get that the author wanted to convey the sense of constant maneuvering, thrust and parry ( he uses fencing analogies a lot) against the unseen enemy. I think there are other ways he could have done it besides a constant stream of meaningless (though doubtless technically correct) numbers. In that sense, it reminded me of Star Trek. At one point in the book it's pointed out that Krause had given over 200 "helm orders" during the action and it feels like Forester described every one of them.
I still felt that two collections of Forester's WW2 short stories ("The Nightmare" and "The Man in the Yellow Raft") were superior to this book because they were more successfully character driven. The Man in the Yellow Raft also describes the exploits of a destroyer's crew, except this time in the Pacific theater of war.
Still Forester's fans (of which I am one) will be happy. He is, I think, incapable of writing a completely bad story.
‐------‐---------------------------------------‐---------------------------------------------------
January 2023 Re-read
Read this again, after watching the Tom Hanks film based on this book, "Greyhound." The movie stays pretty close to the spirit and letter of the book, while at the same time Hanks does a better job of humanizing the main character, Krause, than Forester did. As with Forester's " The African Queen," the filmmakers took a good book and turned it into a very good movie.
-30-
3.4*
Not one of Forester's best novels, still a serviceable story of WW2 naval warfare, in the Battle of the Atlantic. Cmdr. Krause is a career officer in the US navy but the convoy escort mission he's leading is his first experience of actual combat and he's a mass of insecurities over his ability to command well.
Comparisons with Forester's other self doubting hero, Horatio Hornblower, are inevitable. And although he's tried to endow Krause with some distinctive traits, he doesn't really pull it off, imho. The book seems rushed and truncated compared to the careful character development, and attention to detail in the Hornblower stories. Most of the dialogue consists of course changes and other technical things and that gets old, quickly.
That's not to say the tactics of anti submarine warfare described in the book are boring; the action sequences are compelling ( except for the constant drip of course corrections, etc). I get that the author wanted to convey the sense of constant maneuvering, thrust and parry ( he uses fencing analogies a lot) against the unseen enemy. I think there are other ways he could have done it besides a constant stream of meaningless (though doubtless technically correct) numbers. In that sense, it reminded me of Star Trek. At one point in the book it's pointed out that Krause had given over 200 "helm orders" during the action and it feels like Forester described every one of them.
I still felt that two collections of Forester's WW2 short stories ("The Nightmare" and "The Man in the Yellow Raft") were superior to this book because they were more successfully character driven. The Man in the Yellow Raft also describes the exploits of a destroyer's crew, except this time in the Pacific theater of war.
Still Forester's fans (of which I am one) will be happy. He is, I think, incapable of writing a completely bad story.
‐------‐---------------------------------------‐---------------------------------------------------
January 2023 Re-read
Read this again, after watching the Tom Hanks film based on this book, "Greyhound." The movie stays pretty close to the spirit and letter of the book, while at the same time Hanks does a better job of humanizing the main character, Krause, than Forester did. As with Forester's " The African Queen," the filmmakers took a good book and turned it into a very good movie.
-30-
June 28, 2019
“Not only quickness of thought was necessary for the execution, but resolution, determination. It was necessary to make up one’s mind and carry the plan through, to balance risk against gain and to be neither deterred by the one nor dazzled by the other.” – C.S. Forester, The Good Shepherd
This WWII-era historical fiction opens with a description of the vast reaches of the Atlantic Ocean. It then zooms a bit closer to find a thirty-seven-merchant-ship convoy, accompanied by an escort of four Allied military vessels, on the way from the United States to England, bringing much-needed fuel and supplies. It ultimately zeroes in on the protagonist, Commander George Krause, U.S. Navy, the ranking officer in charge of the convoy. The two destroyers and two corvettes protect the merchant ships by hunting down U-boats using the primitive SONAR equipment of the time. Krause’s leadership qualities have not yet been exercised in combat but will be severely tested during this mission.
The book is written in third person from the perspective of Commander Krause, and the reader is privy to the commander’s thoughts and feelings, as he quickly evaluates options and makes decisions, which entail life-or-death consequences. We find out Krause is a disciplined, deeply religious man, who is subject to self-doubt. We hear his internal dialogue about his personal life, including difficulties with his wife, and the loving support of his now-deceased parents. In addition to making decisions, he needs to keep track of an enormous amount of detail, such as making mathematical calculations to figure out location of moving ships, evaluating how the crew members perform their duties, and diplomatically wording commands to other ships’ captains from a variety of Allied countries. Forester’s writing is sophisticated, and he has captured Krause’s character beautifully. He also vividly describes the battle segments, allowing the reader to picture the flash of the firing guns and hear the explosions over the water.
I found this book entirely absorbing and felt like I was with the commander on the ship’s bridge. It is one of the best books I’ve read on the Battle of the Atlantic in WWII, documenting the pressures and challenges, the need to control emotion while feeling the weight of decisions, dealing with the elements, maintaining constant vigilance in the face of exhaustion, and ignoring the threat of death from enemy fire that could come with little warning. There’s a good bit of nautical jargon and military protocol, with orders reiterated and acknowledged, which can get a little repetitive, but Forester’s overall story arc, the journey, the tension, and the enormous responsibility are exceptionally exemplified. Recommended to those interested in WWII, maritime accounts, military campaigns, or in-depth character studies.
I look forward to seeing Greyhound, the movie based on this book, starring Tom Hanks. It was scheduled for release in 2019 but has apparently been delayed until 2020.
This WWII-era historical fiction opens with a description of the vast reaches of the Atlantic Ocean. It then zooms a bit closer to find a thirty-seven-merchant-ship convoy, accompanied by an escort of four Allied military vessels, on the way from the United States to England, bringing much-needed fuel and supplies. It ultimately zeroes in on the protagonist, Commander George Krause, U.S. Navy, the ranking officer in charge of the convoy. The two destroyers and two corvettes protect the merchant ships by hunting down U-boats using the primitive SONAR equipment of the time. Krause’s leadership qualities have not yet been exercised in combat but will be severely tested during this mission.
The book is written in third person from the perspective of Commander Krause, and the reader is privy to the commander’s thoughts and feelings, as he quickly evaluates options and makes decisions, which entail life-or-death consequences. We find out Krause is a disciplined, deeply religious man, who is subject to self-doubt. We hear his internal dialogue about his personal life, including difficulties with his wife, and the loving support of his now-deceased parents. In addition to making decisions, he needs to keep track of an enormous amount of detail, such as making mathematical calculations to figure out location of moving ships, evaluating how the crew members perform their duties, and diplomatically wording commands to other ships’ captains from a variety of Allied countries. Forester’s writing is sophisticated, and he has captured Krause’s character beautifully. He also vividly describes the battle segments, allowing the reader to picture the flash of the firing guns and hear the explosions over the water.
I found this book entirely absorbing and felt like I was with the commander on the ship’s bridge. It is one of the best books I’ve read on the Battle of the Atlantic in WWII, documenting the pressures and challenges, the need to control emotion while feeling the weight of decisions, dealing with the elements, maintaining constant vigilance in the face of exhaustion, and ignoring the threat of death from enemy fire that could come with little warning. There’s a good bit of nautical jargon and military protocol, with orders reiterated and acknowledged, which can get a little repetitive, but Forester’s overall story arc, the journey, the tension, and the enormous responsibility are exceptionally exemplified. Recommended to those interested in WWII, maritime accounts, military campaigns, or in-depth character studies.
I look forward to seeing Greyhound, the movie based on this book, starring Tom Hanks. It was scheduled for release in 2019 but has apparently been delayed until 2020.
November 18, 2021
I tend to stay away from World War II books but sometimes it happens that I pick one up. O found this book with the movie cover at my library and decided to give it a try. It was a good story and more engaging then I thought it would be. It didn't compelled me to read more books like this though but a good book nevertheless.
December 17, 2023
The drama of a North Atlantic convey seen through the eyes of the convoy commander on his first trip. This is no boys own adventure, but a story of stress and tension, of decision making under constant and increasing strain.
The pace is fascinating, taking place over roughly 72 hours, key moments can feel like seconds and then days. The reader cannot help feel the tension building up, and needing a moment to relax themselves.
Though fiction, the author is rebound for his realism and accuracy. Highly recommended.
The pace is fascinating, taking place over roughly 72 hours, key moments can feel like seconds and then days. The reader cannot help feel the tension building up, and needing a moment to relax themselves.
Though fiction, the author is rebound for his realism and accuracy. Highly recommended.
September 7, 2020
A pretty exhausting read. The opening is quite boring, takes some time to get into the rhythm. The book mainly explores the Commander's way of thinking during combat and the way he deals with all the ongoing stress.
February 29, 2024
Audible sale (#19 of 40) 7 hours 53 min. Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini (A)
4.5 stars Loved it!
4.5 stars Loved it!
September 20, 2024
A wonderful character study of a Naval man leading a convoy across the Atlantic during World War II. I was completely fascinated by Captain Krause and the never-ending decisions he had to make during the 48 hours that are covered in this book.
Forester, who was known for his Hornblower naval books, shows us his deep knowledge of everything naval. We only see the world through Krause's eyes which of course can be limiting but to me it was properly claustrophobic. Those seeking an action-packed World War II story will be disappointed, but those who love good writing will be rewarded. I did like a quote from another reviewer who said just go to the bathroom already, which is an allusion to Krause's reluctance to go there because he might miss making an important decision. I will say the man was dedicated.
Forester, who was known for his Hornblower naval books, shows us his deep knowledge of everything naval. We only see the world through Krause's eyes which of course can be limiting but to me it was properly claustrophobic. Those seeking an action-packed World War II story will be disappointed, but those who love good writing will be rewarded. I did like a quote from another reviewer who said just go to the bathroom already, which is an allusion to Krause's reluctance to go there because he might miss making an important decision. I will say the man was dedicated.
September 7, 2021
Probably just three stars for the book itself, but at least one more for the excellent Tom Hanks film adaptation, "Greyhound." Said it before but I'll say it again - short books make the best movies, because they get to actually add things in - extra scenes, action, character development - rather than have to take things out, which is why most full-length books end up being better than their film versions.*
I'm not normally into ship stories - never read Hornblower, have no interest in the whole Aubrey/Maturin bromance - but I watched the movie a week or so ago and then just had to read the book. I'm surprised it's not mentioned in more reviews, but I thought the story - if not the way it was told - was so similar to Alistair MacLean's classic (and better) HMS Ulysses - both stories about convoys in the North Atlantic, both written in 1955, (although unlike MacLean, Forester never actually served in the Navy). The main difference is that Shepherd focuses on the thoughts and actions of one man, while the protagonist of Ulysses is the convoy itself. Also, Ulysses frankly packs a lot more action - many other reviewers have dinged Shepherd for getting boring and repetitive as the story goes on - but I personally think that might have been intentional; that Forester wanted to emphasize the repetition and tedium that accompanied the occasional bursts of action and panic.
Oh, one thing I found kind of fun, literaturgically-wise (?). Chapter 1 begins on page 1; Chapter 2 begins on page 7; and Chapter 3 begins on page 253 and ends on page 257. Which reminds me of something I was taught in art school - you can break the rules, but first you have to learn the rules. There are rules in writing - novels, screenplays, etc. - like "chapters should be of roughly equal length," blah-blah-blah; and you need to learn and understand them. But then - go nuts, experiment, break them...but intentionally, and for a reason. Anyway - just a nice creative touch, IMHO.
And also anyway - very good book, very glad I discovered it...and now I'm ready to watch the movie again!
*Another perfect Tom Hanks example in his very next movie, the excellent adaptation of the even shorter "News of the World."
I'm not normally into ship stories - never read Hornblower, have no interest in the whole Aubrey/Maturin bromance - but I watched the movie a week or so ago and then just had to read the book. I'm surprised it's not mentioned in more reviews, but I thought the story - if not the way it was told - was so similar to Alistair MacLean's classic (and better) HMS Ulysses - both stories about convoys in the North Atlantic, both written in 1955, (although unlike MacLean, Forester never actually served in the Navy). The main difference is that Shepherd focuses on the thoughts and actions of one man, while the protagonist of Ulysses is the convoy itself. Also, Ulysses frankly packs a lot more action - many other reviewers have dinged Shepherd for getting boring and repetitive as the story goes on - but I personally think that might have been intentional; that Forester wanted to emphasize the repetition and tedium that accompanied the occasional bursts of action and panic.
Oh, one thing I found kind of fun, literaturgically-wise (?). Chapter 1 begins on page 1; Chapter 2 begins on page 7; and Chapter 3 begins on page 253 and ends on page 257. Which reminds me of something I was taught in art school - you can break the rules, but first you have to learn the rules. There are rules in writing - novels, screenplays, etc. - like "chapters should be of roughly equal length," blah-blah-blah; and you need to learn and understand them. But then - go nuts, experiment, break them...but intentionally, and for a reason. Anyway - just a nice creative touch, IMHO.
And also anyway - very good book, very glad I discovered it...and now I'm ready to watch the movie again!
*Another perfect Tom Hanks example in his very next movie, the excellent adaptation of the even shorter "News of the World."
June 8, 2020
“For in war the character and personality of the leader is decisive in events much more than questions of material.”
The Good Shepherd is a naval military classic - perhaps slightly dated for contemporary readers as it revolves around a group of naval vessels protecting numerous merchant ships in convoy transporting cargo from the US to its World War Two allies in Europe. Ships from several allied navies under the command of a young US naval officer, George Krause, are assigned to guard a convoy from marauding German submarine predators.
Forester’s novel is about character and leadership. The fast paced action and naval duelling are simply the containers through which the author reveals his insights.
Forester does an amazing job getting the reader inside Krause’s head. We know Krause loves black coffee and can guzzle an entire jug – hot or cold - without flinching. We also know he is a religious man whose decision making is influenced by his notion of Christian ethics.
Lives hang in the balance as the captain makes life and death decisions instantaneously, sometimes literally as whether to pick up enemy survivors drifting in the open sea. In these split second decisions, Krause must reach urgent compromises between husbanding convoy resources, cultural / political factors given the presence of ships from navies like Poland, etc., attack versus defence, maintaining moral leadership over his crew and inspiring the other crews.
Sometimes his decisions are explained while at other times these choices seem almost random flips of a coin. (Luck as a crucial element in leadership?)
More often than not, war literature is associated with armies and land based warfare. The Good Shepherd by C.S. Forester is a pleasant change. It brings to life the hopes, fears and desperations of a generation of seafarers who fought on earth’s vast oceans. The work is not only an adventure novel but also wanders into the realms of psychology. Though first published in 1955, Forester’s work has not lost any of its allure during the ensuing six decades.
The Good Shepherd is a naval military classic - perhaps slightly dated for contemporary readers as it revolves around a group of naval vessels protecting numerous merchant ships in convoy transporting cargo from the US to its World War Two allies in Europe. Ships from several allied navies under the command of a young US naval officer, George Krause, are assigned to guard a convoy from marauding German submarine predators.
Forester’s novel is about character and leadership. The fast paced action and naval duelling are simply the containers through which the author reveals his insights.
Forester does an amazing job getting the reader inside Krause’s head. We know Krause loves black coffee and can guzzle an entire jug – hot or cold - without flinching. We also know he is a religious man whose decision making is influenced by his notion of Christian ethics.
Lives hang in the balance as the captain makes life and death decisions instantaneously, sometimes literally as whether to pick up enemy survivors drifting in the open sea. In these split second decisions, Krause must reach urgent compromises between husbanding convoy resources, cultural / political factors given the presence of ships from navies like Poland, etc., attack versus defence, maintaining moral leadership over his crew and inspiring the other crews.
Sometimes his decisions are explained while at other times these choices seem almost random flips of a coin. (Luck as a crucial element in leadership?)
More often than not, war literature is associated with armies and land based warfare. The Good Shepherd by C.S. Forester is a pleasant change. It brings to life the hopes, fears and desperations of a generation of seafarers who fought on earth’s vast oceans. The work is not only an adventure novel but also wanders into the realms of psychology. Though first published in 1955, Forester’s work has not lost any of its allure during the ensuing six decades.
July 26, 2022
«ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός.
ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλὸς τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ τίθησιν ὑπὲρ τῶν προβάτων·»
Όπως ο καλός ποιμένας καθορίζει τη ζωή του σύμφωνα με τις ανάγκες του ποιμνίου του, μην επιτρέποντας στον εαυτό του να χάσει κανένα από τα μέλη που το συναπαρτίζουν, έτσι και ο αντιπλοίαρχος Τζορτζ Κράους, ήρωας του ανά χείρας μας μυθιστορήματος, ως ηγήτορας μιας μοίρας συμμαχικών πολεμικών σκαφών, πασχίζει να προστατέψει τα τριάντα επτά εμπορικά πλοία (με συνολικό πλήρωμα περίπου δύο χιλιάδων ανθρώπων) που υπό μορφή νηοπομπής διασχίζουν τα παγωμένα νερά του Βόρειου Ατλαντικού Ωκεανού με κατεύθυνση την Αγγλία. Απέναντι στα γερμανικά υποβρύχια, το «θανατικό που περιπατεί εν σκότει» και απειλεί να πλήξει τη νηοπομπή και τα αντιτορπιλικά που τη συνοδεύουν, ο “καλός ποιμένας” αντιπλοίαρχος Κράους, άνθρωπος υπερήφανος και με έντονη αίσθηση του καθήκοντος, αντιμετωπίζει τις κακουχίες και τους κάθε λογής κινδύνους υπερβάλλοντας εαυτόν.
Συναρπαστική πολεμική, ναυτική περιπέτεια από έναν μετρ του είδους (Cecil Scott Forester), που αφηγείται όσα (υποτίθεται ότι) συμβαίνουν σε μόλις δύο εικοσιτετράωρα ενόσω μαίνεται ο Β΄ Παγκόσμιος Πόλεμος, όχι μόνο με περίσσια δραματική ένταση, αλλά και με τόση ακρίβεια και λεπτομέρεια στις περιγραφές σαν να βρισκόταν ο ίδιος ο συγγραφέας στην γέφυρα του αντιτορπιλικού Keeling και να κατέγραφε, ως αυτόπτης και αυτήκοος μάρτυρας, την αγωνία, τους φόβους, τους δισταγμούς και προπάντων την σπάνια αυταπάρνηση ενός καπετάνιου που δεν θα ησύχαζε αν δεν οδηγούσε με ασφάλεια το «ποίμνιό» του σε λιμάνια απάνεμα.
ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλὸς τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ τίθησιν ὑπὲρ τῶν προβάτων·»
Όπως ο καλός ποιμένας καθορίζει τη ζωή του σύμφωνα με τις ανάγκες του ποιμνίου του, μην επιτρέποντας στον εαυτό του να χάσει κανένα από τα μέλη που το συναπαρτίζουν, έτσι και ο αντιπλοίαρχος Τζορτζ Κράους, ήρωας του ανά χείρας μας μυθιστορήματος, ως ηγήτορας μιας μοίρας συμμαχικών πολεμικών σκαφών, πασχίζει να προστατέψει τα τριάντα επτά εμπορικά πλοία (με συνολικό πλήρωμα περίπου δύο χιλιάδων ανθρώπων) που υπό μορφή νηοπομπής διασχίζουν τα παγωμένα νερά του Βόρειου Ατλαντικού Ωκεανού με κατεύθυνση την Αγγλία. Απέναντι στα γερμανικά υποβρύχια, το «θανατικό που περιπατεί εν σκότει» και απειλεί να πλήξει τη νηοπομπή και τα αντιτορπιλικά που τη συνοδεύουν, ο “καλός ποιμένας” αντιπλοίαρχος Κράους, άνθρωπος υπερήφανος και με έντονη αίσθηση του καθήκοντος, αντιμετωπίζει τις κακουχίες και τους κάθε λογής κινδύνους υπερβάλλοντας εαυτόν.
Συναρπαστική πολεμική, ναυτική περιπέτεια από έναν μετρ του είδους (Cecil Scott Forester), που αφηγείται όσα (υποτίθεται ότι) συμβαίνουν σε μόλις δύο εικοσιτετράωρα ενόσω μαίνεται ο Β΄ Παγκόσμιος Πόλεμος, όχι μόνο με περίσσια δραματική ένταση, αλλά και με τόση ακρίβεια και λεπτομέρεια στις περιγραφές σαν να βρισκόταν ο ίδιος ο συγγραφέας στην γέφυρα του αντιτορπιλικού Keeling και να κατέγραφε, ως αυτόπτης και αυτήκοος μάρτυρας, την αγωνία, τους φόβους, τους δισταγμούς και προπάντων την σπάνια αυταπάρνηση ενός καπετάνιου που δεν θα ησύχαζε αν δεν οδηγούσε με ασφάλεια το «ποίμνιό» του σε λιμάνια απάνεμα.
April 11, 2012
Originally published on my blog here in February 1999.
C.S. Forester's tale of the Battle of the Atlantic concentrates on the personality of one man, the captain of an American destroyer acting as a convoy escort towards the end of the war. Captain Krause - known as "the Kraut" by his men - has twenty years' naval experience but little combat experience compared to the other escorts because of the late entry of the U.S. into the war; his seniority means, though, that he is in overall command.
The pressure on the convoy is less than in the earlier years of the war (as detailed in Nicholas Monsarrat's The Cruel Sea), but there is still plenty of drama. Forester concentrates on his central character, and his account has more heroism and less grinding unpleasantness than Monsarrat's. Reading it shortly after The Cruel Sea makes one acutely aware of the comparative shallowness of Forester's writing, though his aims are rather different from those of the later book. However, the lighter touch and the way Krause is presented makes The Good Shepherd read like wartime propaganda.
A comparison with Forester's Hornblower novels is perhaps rather fairer, but even so The Good Shepherd does not rank with the best of these, which are the novels on which Forester's future reputation will be based. Though Hornblower has some unusual quirks of character, these do not interfere with the reader's appreciation and belief in him; Krause is not so well conceived or realised and so jars rather more. (Hornblower's oddities, of course, tend to make him more twentieth century in his outlook than his real contemporaries; Krause is made less modern by his.) His devout Protestantism is of a type particularly old-fashioned today (and it is important enough to supply the metaphor from which the title is derived: as Jesus is for Krause, so Krause and his ship are good shepherds to the convoy). It is, however, the comparative triviality of this book which really makes it inferior to The Cruel Sea.
C.S. Forester's tale of the Battle of the Atlantic concentrates on the personality of one man, the captain of an American destroyer acting as a convoy escort towards the end of the war. Captain Krause - known as "the Kraut" by his men - has twenty years' naval experience but little combat experience compared to the other escorts because of the late entry of the U.S. into the war; his seniority means, though, that he is in overall command.
The pressure on the convoy is less than in the earlier years of the war (as detailed in Nicholas Monsarrat's The Cruel Sea), but there is still plenty of drama. Forester concentrates on his central character, and his account has more heroism and less grinding unpleasantness than Monsarrat's. Reading it shortly after The Cruel Sea makes one acutely aware of the comparative shallowness of Forester's writing, though his aims are rather different from those of the later book. However, the lighter touch and the way Krause is presented makes The Good Shepherd read like wartime propaganda.
A comparison with Forester's Hornblower novels is perhaps rather fairer, but even so The Good Shepherd does not rank with the best of these, which are the novels on which Forester's future reputation will be based. Though Hornblower has some unusual quirks of character, these do not interfere with the reader's appreciation and belief in him; Krause is not so well conceived or realised and so jars rather more. (Hornblower's oddities, of course, tend to make him more twentieth century in his outlook than his real contemporaries; Krause is made less modern by his.) His devout Protestantism is of a type particularly old-fashioned today (and it is important enough to supply the metaphor from which the title is derived: as Jesus is for Krause, so Krause and his ship are good shepherds to the convoy). It is, however, the comparative triviality of this book which really makes it inferior to The Cruel Sea.
August 9, 2020
A very good novel about naval warfare in WWII. Then I have seen Greyhound, also a more than correct movie adaptation of the novel.
April 8, 2014
This is one of my favorite WWII naval action novels, but it is an exhausting read, precisely because of how well I identify with the commander of the convoy, who goes without sleep for two or three days, and is so pressed with emergency after emergency that he hardly has time to go to the head.
Structurally, the novel is divided into three chapters, a tiny "set the mood" thing, the actual novel, and a tiny epilog. My take? Don't bother with the opening or the ending, just read the actual novel, Chapter II. The opening just bores me, and the ending actually takes away from what has been written before it, in my opinion.
That said, C.S. Forester is at the top of his game here. I own all his Horatio Hornblower novels.
My pet peeve with some sea novels is writers who write about submarines "hovering" at some depth, without moving. I have to ding Forester for two references to submarines not moving underwater. Submarines underwater are like sharks: they have to keep moving to survive: the side hydroplanes moving through water are necessary for horizontal stability, and even to maintain a given depth. No matter how carefully the "trim" is adjusted, if the sub stopped moving, it would lose horizontal stability and start to rise to the surface or fall to crush depth where the sub would tend away from the horizontal and toward the vertical: Without Control. Emergency Surface is the only command the captain could give, if his sub stopped moving.
Curiously, I am not giving this novel 5-stars precisely because of how well Forester writes here: The commander gets so exhausted and I identify so strongly with him that I get exhausted while reading it.
@hg47
Structurally, the novel is divided into three chapters, a tiny "set the mood" thing, the actual novel, and a tiny epilog. My take? Don't bother with the opening or the ending, just read the actual novel, Chapter II. The opening just bores me, and the ending actually takes away from what has been written before it, in my opinion.
That said, C.S. Forester is at the top of his game here. I own all his Horatio Hornblower novels.
My pet peeve with some sea novels is writers who write about submarines "hovering" at some depth, without moving. I have to ding Forester for two references to submarines not moving underwater. Submarines underwater are like sharks: they have to keep moving to survive: the side hydroplanes moving through water are necessary for horizontal stability, and even to maintain a given depth. No matter how carefully the "trim" is adjusted, if the sub stopped moving, it would lose horizontal stability and start to rise to the surface or fall to crush depth where the sub would tend away from the horizontal and toward the vertical: Without Control. Emergency Surface is the only command the captain could give, if his sub stopped moving.
Curiously, I am not giving this novel 5-stars precisely because of how well Forester writes here: The commander gets so exhausted and I identify so strongly with him that I get exhausted while reading it.
@hg47
October 29, 2013
Forester's novel is on a par with Nicholas Monsarrat's "The Cruel Sea" and D. A. Rayner's "The Long Haul." It follows the course of a convoy of freighters and tankers as it encounters a u-boat wolfpack o in the western approaches to Great Britain. Forester's central character is George Krause, an American destroyer commander in his mid-40s who is in command of the convoy's four-ship escort. Krause is a professional sailor who has been at sea for thirteen years in a twenty-year career, and who is encountering naval combat for the first time. Krause is a religious man, and his thinking is studded with biblical references, but the references are all highly descriptive of his situation. They are integral to his character. He is a very competent leader without much charisma, but his stern commitment to duty, a feature also reflected in the biblical allusions, is compelling.
Forester is very good at describing the choices open to his captain, the reasons he makes the choices he does, and the consequences of those choices for all. His description of the physical challenges faced by the convoy and its escorts is on a par with Monsarrat. This novel is easily the best of his writing about the sea, and is probably one of the best books anyone has written about it.
Forester is very good at describing the choices open to his captain, the reasons he makes the choices he does, and the consequences of those choices for all. His description of the physical challenges faced by the convoy and its escorts is on a par with Monsarrat. This novel is easily the best of his writing about the sea, and is probably one of the best books anyone has written about it.
November 9, 2019
I enjoyed this novel. I’ve read several non-fiction books about the Battle of the Atlantic, but in the hands of a master like C.S. Forester, fiction can tell a deeper story. The titular Good Shepherd is Commander Krause, an American officer in command of a convoy of supply ships on their way to keep England fed, fueled, and armed. It’s 1942, the early days of the war for the United States while some of the ships under his command (British, Polish, Canadian) have been fighting since 1939. In his Hornblower novels Forrester does a fantastic job of portraying the loneliness of command, and he does the same thing in The Good Shepherd as we watch Krause make one tough decision after another. Forester draws a very vivid picture of what it was like to be on an allied ship going through submarine infested waters in the darkest days of the Atlantic naval war.
December 20, 2020
Almost nothing happens in the novel. An American captain (who is performing the duty for the first time in his life), a deeply religious and tormented but otherwise unremarkable man is leading a convoy from the States to Europe, trying to outmanoeuvre German subs. He does not move much; he does not even speak much. It's quite gripping. (I also watched the movie; it was okay, though with some modifications/improvements in the captain's love life; I was also relieved that they did not cut out his fervent religiousness; but the book is much better.)
September 12, 2023
C. S. Forester may be best known for his Horatio Hornblower series, but this book deserves some attention as well. I am astounded by Forester’s ability to create a sense of narrative tension despite an utter lack of action or dialogue in the entire first chapter (which really feels more like a prologue in some ways). This is a book I thoroughly enjoyed despite the sad overarching theme of a man who is very devout yet has no joy or peace. I enjoyed it not only for the story but also for the rhythm of the writing and the picture it painted of life at sea hunting German submarines among friends and allies and men one is never sure one can completely trust.
There is some profanity, which I only expected, but I was pleasantly surprised that there was as little as there was. Much of the tension in the story was built around small, everyday concerns like the need for food and warmth—is he finally going to get the chance to put his overcoat on before someone else radios for him?!—which felt strangely momentous against the backdrop of naval warfare. It takes a talented author to make me care if the hero is going to get his coffee before the next U-boat comes, and Forester did it well.
None of that is to detract from the actual naval warfare scenes, which were executed in vivid color by just the right amount of detail and a thorough command of naval terminology and dialogue (not that I would know from experience, but it sounded right). Krause’s character as a leader and decision-maker shines in these parts of the story. He’s a compelling hero, a tragic figure in many ways, yet also inspiring and courageous. The bits of Scripture verses dropped in as part of his internal dialogue were a nice touch that really gave the “feel” of what kind of man he was, even though several were out of context for the situation. In a way, this book is a sort of warning of what a religious life can look like without the living power of Christ to give joy and peace. Krause is dedicated. He is devout. He is horrified by sin in himself and the thought of failure. And at the end of it all, he is terribly empty, at peace only in sleep. May that never be the picture a writer could paint of any of us.
The edition of this that I read was titled Greyhound, as a spin-off of the movie version, which I haven’t seen. I understand why Hollywood decided to change the title, as it has a better ring for a WWII naval thriller, but I really think The Good Shepherd represents the story so much better, as Krause shepherds not only his men but an entire convoy across the Atlantic. Under either title, though, this is a great read for those who love naval history and want a fictional look at a war that had been over for only a very short time when this book was written.
Content warnings: profanity, violence, mentions of infidelity, hints at marital intimacy
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There is some profanity, which I only expected, but I was pleasantly surprised that there was as little as there was. Much of the tension in the story was built around small, everyday concerns like the need for food and warmth—is he finally going to get the chance to put his overcoat on before someone else radios for him?!—which felt strangely momentous against the backdrop of naval warfare. It takes a talented author to make me care if the hero is going to get his coffee before the next U-boat comes, and Forester did it well.
None of that is to detract from the actual naval warfare scenes, which were executed in vivid color by just the right amount of detail and a thorough command of naval terminology and dialogue (not that I would know from experience, but it sounded right). Krause’s character as a leader and decision-maker shines in these parts of the story. He’s a compelling hero, a tragic figure in many ways, yet also inspiring and courageous. The bits of Scripture verses dropped in as part of his internal dialogue were a nice touch that really gave the “feel” of what kind of man he was, even though several were out of context for the situation. In a way, this book is a sort of warning of what a religious life can look like without the living power of Christ to give joy and peace. Krause is dedicated. He is devout. He is horrified by sin in himself and the thought of failure. And at the end of it all, he is terribly empty, at peace only in sleep. May that never be the picture a writer could paint of any of us.
The edition of this that I read was titled Greyhound, as a spin-off of the movie version, which I haven’t seen. I understand why Hollywood decided to change the title, as it has a better ring for a WWII naval thriller, but I really think The Good Shepherd represents the story so much better, as Krause shepherds not only his men but an entire convoy across the Atlantic. Under either title, though, this is a great read for those who love naval history and want a fictional look at a war that had been over for only a very short time when this book was written.
Content warnings: profanity, violence, mentions of infidelity, hints at marital intimacy
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July 26, 2020
This is a gripping and fast-moving read, about a US Navy destroyer captain on an Atlantic convoy at an early time in WWII. He's the senior captain among the Allied escorts, facing battle with a German U-boat wolfpack, in a stormy ocean. The book seems true to the naval technology and onboard life at the time, and spares us little of the discomforts and hardships of life on these small warships. It's not C. S. Forester's greatest work, but worthy enough, a tense narrative, and can stand with The Cruel Sea or HMS Ulysses as a rousing account of the heroism and dangers of the Battle of the Atlantic. Very much worth reading now that the Tom Hanks film "Greyhound", based on this book, is now out.
March 9, 2020
Tom Hanks new movie, Grayhound, based on this book
Pretty good story about a small amount of warships in a convoy in WW2 were trying to escort them across the North Atlantic.
Lots of details about anti submarine warfare but also a good story about how hard it was on the crew.
Pretty good story about a small amount of warships in a convoy in WW2 were trying to escort them across the North Atlantic.
Lots of details about anti submarine warfare but also a good story about how hard it was on the crew.
August 15, 2020
Ο καλός ποιμένας μας στέλνει χρονικά πίσω στον Β Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο και πιο συγκεκριμένα εν μέσω μιας ναυτικής μάχης στον Ατλαντικό. Κατά την οποία μάχη, μας παρουσιάζονται υπερβολικά λεπτομερώς οι διαδικασίες που ακολουθούν οι αξιωματικοί που συμμετέχουν. Ειλικρινά, αν ξανακούσω σύντομα τη λέξη διόπτευση ή τη φράση “πολύ καλά”, νομίζω ότι θα πάθω αυτομάτως αναφυλαξία.
Ο Κράους, ο πλοίαρχος του Κίλινγκ είναι εμφανώς ένας άνθρωπος που δεν επιτρέπει στον εαυτό του οποιαδήποτε ανθρώπινη συμπεριφορά θεωρώντας τη ως αδυναμία και ζει όλη του τη ζωή με γνώμονα το αίσθημα του καθήκοντος. Ενδεχομένως έτσι θα πρέπει να είναι, δεδομένου του ρόλου του, όμως στα σημεία δράσης η ξύλινη στάση του κάνει τον αναγνώστη να βαριέται κομματάκι. Η καθαρά ανθρώπινη υπόστασή του μας παρουσιάζεται με κάποιες αναφορές στο παρελθόν του και μόνο προς το τέλος του βιβλίου.
Η αλήθεια είναι ότι περίμενα περισσότερες ιστορικές αναφορές, δεδομένου του χρονικού πλαισίου όπου εκτυλίσσεται η ιστορία μας, ίσως και περισσότερο νεύρο εκεί που η δράση κορυφώνεται αλλά δεν. Το διάβασα περισσότερο διεκπεραιωτικά προσδοκώντας την ένταση που νομίζω ότι θα του ταίριαζε και που δυστυχώς ποτέ δεν ένιωσα.
Ο Κράους, ο πλοίαρχος του Κίλινγκ είναι εμφανώς ένας άνθρωπος που δεν επιτρέπει στον εαυτό του οποιαδήποτε ανθρώπινη συμπεριφορά θεωρώντας τη ως αδυναμία και ζει όλη του τη ζωή με γνώμονα το αίσθημα του καθήκοντος. Ενδεχομένως έτσι θα πρέπει να είναι, δεδομένου του ρόλου του, όμως στα σημεία δράσης η ξύλινη στάση του κάνει τον αναγνώστη να βαριέται κομματάκι. Η καθαρά ανθρώπινη υπόστασή του μας παρουσιάζεται με κάποιες αναφορές στο παρελθόν του και μόνο προς το τέλος του βιβλίου.
Η αλήθεια είναι ότι περίμενα περισσότερες ιστορικές αναφορές, δεδομένου του χρονικού πλαισίου όπου εκτυλίσσεται η ιστορία μας, ίσως και περισσότερο νεύρο εκεί που η δράση κορυφώνεται αλλά δεν. Το διάβασα περισσότερο διεκπεραιωτικά προσδοκώντας την ένταση που νομίζω ότι θα του ταίριαζε και που δυστυχώς ποτέ δεν ένιωσα.
September 24, 2023
Setting: Atlantic Ocean; 1942.
Commander Krause of the U.S. Navy is in charge of the destroyer Keeling, tasked with the protection of a convoy of 37 merchant ships crossing the Atlantic to the United Kingdom at the height of the war. For three seemingly interminable days of action, the Commander's abilities are put to the test by the various tasks of keeping the convoy together, dealing with his own crew and the captains of the other escort vessels and making decisions as to how best to marshal his resources to ensure the safety of the ships under his protection as wolf-packs of German submarines lurk nearby. These have to be fended off or attacked or otherwise discouraged from their efforts to sink the merchant ships, whilst at the same time having limited resources in the way of fuel and depth charges.
This was a thoroughly gripping and interesting read and I noted that it has been made into a feature film called 'Greyhound' with Tom Hanks in the lead role, which I admit that I have not seen. Certainly, the tale was well-told from the point of view of Krause himself and the reader gets a full insight into his way of thinking and the alternative actions that he has to consider when presented with the need to make a decision, even though this is affected by his lack of sleep and nourishment, which he simply doesn't have time for! - 9/10.
Commander Krause of the U.S. Navy is in charge of the destroyer Keeling, tasked with the protection of a convoy of 37 merchant ships crossing the Atlantic to the United Kingdom at the height of the war. For three seemingly interminable days of action, the Commander's abilities are put to the test by the various tasks of keeping the convoy together, dealing with his own crew and the captains of the other escort vessels and making decisions as to how best to marshal his resources to ensure the safety of the ships under his protection as wolf-packs of German submarines lurk nearby. These have to be fended off or attacked or otherwise discouraged from their efforts to sink the merchant ships, whilst at the same time having limited resources in the way of fuel and depth charges.
This was a thoroughly gripping and interesting read and I noted that it has been made into a feature film called 'Greyhound' with Tom Hanks in the lead role, which I admit that I have not seen. Certainly, the tale was well-told from the point of view of Krause himself and the reader gets a full insight into his way of thinking and the alternative actions that he has to consider when presented with the need to make a decision, even though this is affected by his lack of sleep and nourishment, which he simply doesn't have time for! - 9/10.
March 8, 2021
This is a sparse war story with a lean storytelling style by the author of the Horatio Hornblower series. The Good Shepherd is a World War II story about a destroyer captain charged with escorting a convoy during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Much of the book focuses on the minutiae of nautical maneuvers, but also on the inner thoughts of Captain George Krause, a Commander in the US Navy who faces 52 long watches playing cat and mouse with u-boats. It's 1942, and the United States has just entered the war. Krause is older than his fellow officers, but the captains of the other ships (some of whom are Polish, Canadian, and British allies) have been at war for two years, so he feels all of their eyes on him.
Forester captures the tension of sea battles, the hard, cold logic of deciding when to chase, when to leave off, when to use the precious depth charges, when to go to the rescue of a sinking ship and when that would mean leaving many more unprotected. The invisible German U-boat commander is never seen, but one can easily imagine his crew suffering the same tension as Krause's — each one knows that the first to make a mistake or guess wrong dies.
Despite this being a short novel that's mostly about sea battles, Forester manages to pack a lot of characterization into Commander Krause. We learn of his doubts, his desire to set an example and not let down his crew, his allies, or his country, while also not wanting to let his doubts and ambitions get in the way of his duty. Before the war, he was "fitted and retained" (meaning, in naval parlance, judged adequate but not good enough for promotion), and only got his promotion to Commander when the war began. He spares a few thoughts for the wife who left him, who couldn't understand his devotion to duty, and his upbringing. We learn he's a pious man.
It's a very masculine novel, from an earlier age. I haven't read any of Forester's other books, but I enjoyed this one.
Much of the book focuses on the minutiae of nautical maneuvers, but also on the inner thoughts of Captain George Krause, a Commander in the US Navy who faces 52 long watches playing cat and mouse with u-boats. It's 1942, and the United States has just entered the war. Krause is older than his fellow officers, but the captains of the other ships (some of whom are Polish, Canadian, and British allies) have been at war for two years, so he feels all of their eyes on him.
Forester captures the tension of sea battles, the hard, cold logic of deciding when to chase, when to leave off, when to use the precious depth charges, when to go to the rescue of a sinking ship and when that would mean leaving many more unprotected. The invisible German U-boat commander is never seen, but one can easily imagine his crew suffering the same tension as Krause's — each one knows that the first to make a mistake or guess wrong dies.
Despite this being a short novel that's mostly about sea battles, Forester manages to pack a lot of characterization into Commander Krause. We learn of his doubts, his desire to set an example and not let down his crew, his allies, or his country, while also not wanting to let his doubts and ambitions get in the way of his duty. Before the war, he was "fitted and retained" (meaning, in naval parlance, judged adequate but not good enough for promotion), and only got his promotion to Commander when the war began. He spares a few thoughts for the wife who left him, who couldn't understand his devotion to duty, and his upbringing. We learn he's a pious man.
It's a very masculine novel, from an earlier age. I haven't read any of Forester's other books, but I enjoyed this one.
April 2, 2021
“This is the captain.” Long training and long-practiced self-control kept his voice even; no one could guess from that flat voice the excitement which boiled inside him, which could master him if he relaxed that self-control for an instant. “We’re running down a U-boat. Every man must be ready for instant action.”
The best Forster ever. Better than Hornblower. Out techno-babbles Clancy. The reader feels Krause’s pain. Immediate and real.
“A U-boat for certain, and Keeling was rushing down upon her at twenty-two knots. We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement.”
Krause’s entire life comes into focus during two days in 1942 in the North Atlantic. His Christian upbringing, his being “passed over”* for promotion, his failed marriage, but most of all his rigid sense of duty before self all animate the inner dialogue which is the heart of this amazing story.
“Every man shall bear his own burden, and this was his—that was a text from Galatians; he could remember learning it, so many years ago—and all he had to do was his duty; no one needed an audience for that. He was alone with his responsibility in this crowded pilothouse, at the head of the crowded convoy. God setteth the solitary in families.”
Cannot imagine how this could be made into a movie. How does the camera capture the inner conflict. That the name change to Greyhound suggests some dilution. Regardless, read the book first.
“Krause found himself in the position of a man whose casual remark turns out to be true. Now that he had announced that he wanted to go to the head he was in a state of overwhelming anxiety to do so. It was shockingly urgent. He could not wait another minute.”
*Military idiom for officer considered for but not being promoted.
The best Forster ever. Better than Hornblower. Out techno-babbles Clancy. The reader feels Krause’s pain. Immediate and real.
“A U-boat for certain, and Keeling was rushing down upon her at twenty-two knots. We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement.”
Krause’s entire life comes into focus during two days in 1942 in the North Atlantic. His Christian upbringing, his being “passed over”* for promotion, his failed marriage, but most of all his rigid sense of duty before self all animate the inner dialogue which is the heart of this amazing story.
“Every man shall bear his own burden, and this was his—that was a text from Galatians; he could remember learning it, so many years ago—and all he had to do was his duty; no one needed an audience for that. He was alone with his responsibility in this crowded pilothouse, at the head of the crowded convoy. God setteth the solitary in families.”
Cannot imagine how this could be made into a movie. How does the camera capture the inner conflict. That the name change to Greyhound suggests some dilution. Regardless, read the book first.
“Krause found himself in the position of a man whose casual remark turns out to be true. Now that he had announced that he wanted to go to the head he was in a state of overwhelming anxiety to do so. It was shockingly urgent. He could not wait another minute.”
*Military idiom for officer considered for but not being promoted.
August 14, 2013
This book is interesting on a number of levels. 1) It's interesting to see Forester's naval work in a "modern" setting. 2) It's interesting to see him depart (or try to depart) from his Hornblower roots. 3) The book is a darned incisive look at convoy duty during WWII.
Forester rocks at taking long hard looks at the burdens and trials of leadership, and this is a particularly excellent example of this. However, it suffers on a number of levels, primarily from a general lack of character development. Krause is a modern Hornblower, whose chief individualizing trait is his random quotation of Scripture throughout. And also his frequent need to visit the boys' room.
The book is a great vignette of WWII convoy duty. Also a great look into the psychology of leadership. But not, I find, a particularly riveting or memorable read, all things told.
Forester rocks at taking long hard looks at the burdens and trials of leadership, and this is a particularly excellent example of this. However, it suffers on a number of levels, primarily from a general lack of character development. Krause is a modern Hornblower, whose chief individualizing trait is his random quotation of Scripture throughout. And also his frequent need to visit the boys' room.
The book is a great vignette of WWII convoy duty. Also a great look into the psychology of leadership. But not, I find, a particularly riveting or memorable read, all things told.
August 28, 2022
Vad pågår under en jagares anfall på en ubåt? Och vad händer inuti huvudet på en eskortchef som styr sin besättning mot döden eller vinst? Det får du se från krause som är eskortchef och styr sin besättning mot döden.
October 30, 2023
If like me, you enjoyed: The Cruel Sea or HMS Ulysses, I recommend this book.
September 3, 2021
You can find no better novel on duty, honor and faith in time of war than this one
The Good Shepherd is the original novel from which the recent Tom Hanks WWII film, Greyhound, is based. Greyhound was a terrible choice for a replacement title. But alas, the original title carries its own cultural baggage in this age of secular hostility to public displays of national pride and religious faith. I haven't seen the film, but I highly, highly recommend this book.
The Good Shepherd sounds like the title of a Christian novel about a pastor or a take on the Gospels. It is nothing of the sort. But the milquetoast Christian fiction ghetto might learn a bit about real inspirational story-telling -- and how muscular Christianity is supposed to be portrayed -- by reading this classic naval thriller by the great historical novelist, C.S. Forester.
C.S. Forester was a genius at capturing the inner voice of honor beating in the heart of every military man set on doing their duty... in a broken world where heroes have feet of clay, the best intentions are never good enough, and a man of faith had to draw deep into spiritual wells long exhausted in order to complete the task at hand. This is the weight of responsibility women can never understand and most men do everything in their power to avoid carrying. But there comes a time of crisis when a man of honor has no choice but to lift and bear this weight until the crisis is over. This is a theme throughout C.S. Forester's prodigious publishing career. From Riflemen Dodd to Horatio Hornblower to The African Queen, C.S. Forester's books are stunning and powerful adventures in faith and the human spirit.
The Good Shepherd is the story of Commander George Krause's leadership of a squadron of naval destroyers protecting thirty-seven merchant marine vessels as they convoy across the North Atlantic. A wolfpack of German U-boats lies between them and the British Isles. Krause is an "everyman" type, a pastor's son who went to the Naval Academy and spent his entire life at sea as a US Navy Officer. But the sea is a cruel mistress. His dedication to duty cost him his marriage. And in an era of cutthroat careerism, his faithfulness to duty has even robbed him of the aggressive social ambition required to make higher rank. Relegated to a reserve status, it is only the war that keeps him at sea and gives him a chance to continue in the only life he knows.
This novel is realistic and clear-eyed in its depiction of the hazards of cargo duty and the life of an officer at sea. During a brutal running battle lasting several days, Krause remains on his feet, unable to sleep, unable to eat, unable to get away from the responsibilities of command until circumstances change. C.S. Forester divested this story of any sense of romantic nonsense regarding leadership in war. Truth is, war is brutal and the toll it demands from those who fulfill their duty is brutal as well. Krause finds his comfort and direction from scripture. As a child, his father had him memorize scripture, and over an over again they come, Biblical verses that render every decision and every challenge a matter of faith. Krause knows his duty. Like his pastor father, George Krause is a Good Shepherd. And a Good Shepherd protects his flock from the wolves.
You can find no better novel on duty, honor and faith in time of war than this one.
It should be mandatory reading at our military academies -- especially the Coast Guard and Naval Academies. And truly it puts to shame all of the tedious tripe passing for "Inspirational Story-telling" in the narrow-minded publishing world of Christian Fiction.
Read The Good Shepherd. It is highly recommended.
The Good Shepherd is the original novel from which the recent Tom Hanks WWII film, Greyhound, is based. Greyhound was a terrible choice for a replacement title. But alas, the original title carries its own cultural baggage in this age of secular hostility to public displays of national pride and religious faith. I haven't seen the film, but I highly, highly recommend this book.
The Good Shepherd sounds like the title of a Christian novel about a pastor or a take on the Gospels. It is nothing of the sort. But the milquetoast Christian fiction ghetto might learn a bit about real inspirational story-telling -- and how muscular Christianity is supposed to be portrayed -- by reading this classic naval thriller by the great historical novelist, C.S. Forester.
C.S. Forester was a genius at capturing the inner voice of honor beating in the heart of every military man set on doing their duty... in a broken world where heroes have feet of clay, the best intentions are never good enough, and a man of faith had to draw deep into spiritual wells long exhausted in order to complete the task at hand. This is the weight of responsibility women can never understand and most men do everything in their power to avoid carrying. But there comes a time of crisis when a man of honor has no choice but to lift and bear this weight until the crisis is over. This is a theme throughout C.S. Forester's prodigious publishing career. From Riflemen Dodd to Horatio Hornblower to The African Queen, C.S. Forester's books are stunning and powerful adventures in faith and the human spirit.
The Good Shepherd is the story of Commander George Krause's leadership of a squadron of naval destroyers protecting thirty-seven merchant marine vessels as they convoy across the North Atlantic. A wolfpack of German U-boats lies between them and the British Isles. Krause is an "everyman" type, a pastor's son who went to the Naval Academy and spent his entire life at sea as a US Navy Officer. But the sea is a cruel mistress. His dedication to duty cost him his marriage. And in an era of cutthroat careerism, his faithfulness to duty has even robbed him of the aggressive social ambition required to make higher rank. Relegated to a reserve status, it is only the war that keeps him at sea and gives him a chance to continue in the only life he knows.
This novel is realistic and clear-eyed in its depiction of the hazards of cargo duty and the life of an officer at sea. During a brutal running battle lasting several days, Krause remains on his feet, unable to sleep, unable to eat, unable to get away from the responsibilities of command until circumstances change. C.S. Forester divested this story of any sense of romantic nonsense regarding leadership in war. Truth is, war is brutal and the toll it demands from those who fulfill their duty is brutal as well. Krause finds his comfort and direction from scripture. As a child, his father had him memorize scripture, and over an over again they come, Biblical verses that render every decision and every challenge a matter of faith. Krause knows his duty. Like his pastor father, George Krause is a Good Shepherd. And a Good Shepherd protects his flock from the wolves.
You can find no better novel on duty, honor and faith in time of war than this one.
It should be mandatory reading at our military academies -- especially the Coast Guard and Naval Academies. And truly it puts to shame all of the tedious tripe passing for "Inspirational Story-telling" in the narrow-minded publishing world of Christian Fiction.
Read The Good Shepherd. It is highly recommended.
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