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CRASH DIVE: The Complete Series

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CRASH DIVE: The Complete Series chronicles the adventures of Charlie Harrison as he fights the Imperial Japanese Navy during WW2. Gripping, action-packed, authentic, and filled with larger-than-life men and women of the Greatest Generation, CRASH DIVE puts you aboard a submarine during the war.

You'll stand alongside Charlie as he proves himself time and again by keeping his wits and being decisive in crisis, though each encounter leaves him more heavily scarred for it. You'll attack a convoy in a daring night surface attack, emerge in a sea fog to ambush a battle group, and charge the battleship Yamato during the decisive Battle of Leyte Gulf. All the while, you'll live with the crew in the cramped, noisy, and challenging machine that was a diesel-electric submarine.

CRASH DIVE: The Complete Series puts together for the first time all six episodes in Craig DiLouie's highly acclaimed historical military fiction series: CRASH DIVE, SILENT RUNNING, BATTLE STATIONS, CONTACT!, HARA-KIRI, and OVER THE HILL.

996 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2018

246 people are currently reading
66 people want to read

About the author

Craig DiLouie

62 books1,516 followers
Craig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.

In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.

These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.

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5 stars
488 (71%)
4 stars
158 (23%)
3 stars
29 (4%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
377 reviews3 followers
May 17, 2025
Very good but scary

It felt so realistic, instead of tending to washing clothes, I inhaled one book after. Don't start reading if you have things to do. I'm a widow so doing housework, laundry and paying attention to my dog are done when I felt like it.
Charlie scared me at times, his lust to kill was making him crazy.
Some of his "kills) were not realistic. They were unrealistic.
His love of country was remarkable. His love of two different women also phoney. There's no way the women didn't know someone else was occupieing Charlie's thoughts. We have a homing device that spots the b.s.
The battles at sea were so realistic I could see in my head, each battle from " man your stations" to the boat's victory in the end.
The crew members made me laugh, cry or in disbelieve at the pranks, and companions that comes from living in such confined spaces.
I loved all six books and highly recommend them.

17 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2022
I don’t care what holdups or concerns you may have- buy this book- it is so much better than you expect and I say that confidently despite obviously not knowing your expectations- it’s that good. In the middle of a great series from another author? Do yourself a favor and buy this book- your other books will be there when you’re done and this one is just too good to delay. Can’t decide between this and a different title? Duh- get this one- I assure you it is the better. I listened to the entire series, read by RC Bray- if given the choice, I can’t imagine a better way to take in the story. Thank you Mr. DiLouie- it was my first time reading your work, and I’m ecstatic to read everything else you’ve written before and since. I was so stunned by the presentation that I listened intently to the 29+ hours of text over the span of just three days- it justified the time-out from day to day routine.
Profile Image for Ben.
1,114 reviews
December 5, 2020
An exciting entry in the very good series of six novels about USN officer Charlie Harrison in submarines sailing against Japan.
In this episode, he is Executive Officer aboard the USS Sandfish, part of a three sub “ Wolf Pack” going right into the jaws of the tiger, The Sea of Japan. The book ,like all in the series, is compact, without a wasted word or padded paragraph. The pressure and excitement builds to an intensity that kept me riveted to my seat on a cold, windy December afternoon.
Craig DiLouie has the knowledge and ability that make his novels standouts in the genre. He does it without gross language, explicit sex or overloading the reader with jargon.
Highly recommended.
52 reviews
April 25, 2020
Fair Enough

The work is lurid, but saved by accurate descriptions of real events. Especially noteworthy is the admiration the author holds for the ordinary folks who fought the war and his contempt for the shiny-ass bastards of whom the Bureau of Ordinance take the Oscar for asshole. The malaise that eventually resulted in many, now called PTSD, is exemplified. I found the postscripts especially wonderful.
16 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2020
Enjoyed reading this book. Strong characters with an excellent story line. Some historical embellishment but easy to overlook since this is a work of fiction based on actual conditions aboard submarines during WWII. Accurate description of the problems with the torpedoes and the problem convincing senior naval officers and especially BuOrd that the problem did not lie with the sub captains but with the design of the torpedo in 4 major areas. As retired Navy I enjoyed the book.
9 reviews
April 26, 2024
Well researched, well written, well read

A better series by Craig DiLouie. One of the better fiction pieces following the "Silent Service " story from pre WWII to its conclusion. I had an uncle in submarines, another in destroyers, one who was a seabed and my father, a short guy who found a home as ball turret gunner on B-17s.

Crash Dive is an excellent series, well worth the reading.
39 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2020
Awesome

Fantastic, great detail, great characters, non stop action, keeps you on the edge of your seat. This story was like a great movie where you stand an cheer at the end of it. A roller coaster ride of emotion throughout the entire series. You want to stay up at night to read a good story, then this 6 part series is the one you want to read! FANTASTIC READ!!!!
28 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2020
Outstanding!!

This series of books held me spellbound. Yes it's a story of war and the utter stupidity of war. It's also a story of men and women, everyday people caught up in the stupidity and what they did to survive. Very well thought out, very well written. Thanks Mr DiLouie!
149 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2020
.I usually don't read books in a series like this one. However, this was an outstanding series and I was drawn in to the next book. This series held my interest from start to finish. Character development was excellent, and the ultimate disposition of each major character was discussed in the final book.
16 reviews1 follower
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September 8, 2021
Well written piece of historical fiction. It’s a bit over the top with our main character, but forgivable for the story’s sake. Mr. DiLouie creates some wonderfully flawed and interesting characters. It’s well worth the read. If you are lucky enough to listen the the master narrator RC Bray’s rendition of the story, you are in for a treat.
33 reviews3 followers
April 24, 2019
Great reading

This series chronicles the lives of submarines in general and Captain Harrison in particular. Easy to read and loaded with action. You will find these difficult to put down.
Profile Image for Gary W. Smith.
6 reviews
February 18, 2020
Well done, Mr DiLouie

An excellent read. The author did a great job in researching the conditions aboard the submarines, as well as the maneuvers of the battles. I'll read more of his books.
1 review
December 17, 2020
Excellent story!

One of the best series on submarine warfare that I have ever read. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy action filled stories with a touch of comic relief to break the tension.
44 reviews
March 24, 2021
Good for an old submarine to remince

Having served in subs for eight years during early sixties in Pacific then to Key West for four years. Mr. Dialogue did his homework putting this story together.
Profile Image for Teri Russell.
2 reviews
May 12, 2019
Provocatively entertaining!

Easy read but thoughtful and disturbing. Harrison is a powerful character but Braddock I most identify with. The moral, nobody wins at war...nobody!
Profile Image for Steve.
32 reviews
July 3, 2020
Phenomenal

One of the best series of books about Submarines in WW2! Great characters you will remember forever! Great History as well. Enjoy!!
Profile Image for Ed.
110 reviews
September 1, 2020
great book almost felt part of the crew. definitely worth the read goes into depth no pun intended about how the submarine force during WWII dealt with the issues they had .
33 reviews
September 3, 2020
What a Great Read

The character development was fantastic, the war pieces thrilling and the philosophy engulfing. I am going to go to Kindle for more books by Craig DILOUIE
7 reviews
October 20, 2020
Five star Read.

Great read. I could have read twice as long, gave a great insight of submarine life in war. Couldn't put it down *****

9 reviews
December 12, 2020
Gripping read enjoy it will wheaton

Great sub story what a pleasure. Enjoyed it so mi
Uch I will probably reread it once again to secure the details
44 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2021
I can't believe I read the whole thing! Once I started I couldn't put it down. Well done. Thanks.
5 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2021
Greatness Comes to Some

Truly one of the best stories I’ve ever read. So much humanity in all the characters. Congratulations to the author.
Profile Image for David.
833 reviews6 followers
August 25, 2021
Good WWII series. This audiobook pulls together the six short books into one whole, which seems like one longer book with six story sections. Well done.
2 reviews
September 17, 2021
Great Book

If this doesn't make you cry, you've never been on a submarine and you can't call yourself a real submariner!
3 reviews
September 27, 2021
Could . Not. . Put. . It. . Down.

I lost a lot of sleep reading this series but have no regrets doing so. This Veteran rates it SUPERB!!
2 reviews
January 19, 2022
Good read

As a diesel boat sailor from the 60's I could relate to much of what you wrote. Very accurate and gritty.
832 reviews4 followers
June 22, 2022
excellent stories

Kept me glued. Extremely well written and one of the most accurate stories about Submarines I’ve read. Thanks from a former Bubblehead.
Profile Image for Mark Heber.
20 reviews2 followers
July 24, 2022
As fine a war story as I’ve read.

Great characters. Believable action. A compelling story. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good submarine yarn.
340 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2024
Brilliant

Brilliant retelling of the Silent Service. One almost feels like one was there. Having read the complete series,it's the way to do it if you have the time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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