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Wolfpack 351
From the USA Today Bestselling Author of PRIDE RUNS DEEP comes another exciting World War II submarine thriller… After a harrowing war patrol in the Sea of Japan, the U.S. submarines of Wolfpack 351 are low on fuel, torpedoes, and morale. Their only means of escape is a narrow passage teeming with enemy aircraft, mines, and coastal batteries – and guarded by a menacing Japanese fleet led by a legendary admiral hell-bent on stopping them. Facing the imminent destruction of the entire wolfpack, and with few options remaining, the American admirals in Pearl Harbor turn to an aging submarine, the only boat close enough to help. With time running out, the USS Aeneid – a V-boat from another era – must spring the trapped submarines from their watery prison before they meet their fates under the hull-shattering wrath of the enemy’s depth charges.
594 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2019
203 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 17, 2019
This is a great cross between “Guns of Navarone” and “HMS Ulysses” by Alistar MacLean with one exception, the first two were excellent reads.
When I bought this, I thought it was going to be about a German Wolfpack, not an American one. I had never heard the term before so I did some research. Did not find the term used in “Sink ‘Em All” by Charles Lockwood and “Twenty Million Tons under the Sea” by Daniel V Gallery. Okay, let’s see if it shows up anywhere else. Nope. The only references I am across were Patrols or Combat Attack Groups, no Wolfpack. With that aside, let’s get to the story. I stand corrected, it does show up in “Hellcats of the Sea” by Lockwood.
Admiral Giles has sent four boats into the Sea of Japan to let the Emperor know, no water were safe from the wrath of American submarines, including the Emperor’s Pond. Giles is not liked by anyone for he works on clandestine operations and with his connections in Washington, will get what he wants even if the ComSubPac doesn’t like it and usually they don’t.
One of the boats makes it back, the Blueback. His reports concerning the missions chance of the other three boats making it back are dismal. Giles comes up with another brainstorm, he’s going to send the Aenied to the rescue as soon as her mission at Attu is completed. She is a World War one V-boat that has been upgraded to modern standards.
The captain of the Aenied, Weston, is less than enthusiastic about the new mission. The Scout force they landed on Attu was all but decimated. The survivors, with wounded, fight their way back to the boat. Only nine of a hundred return. They are surly and demoralized with the loss of their beloved Major Nash. They are now to be commanded by Lieutenant MacCullen who stayed behind while his force was shattered. They have all heard the stories of his apparent cowardice in North Africa and how he was the only of his platoon to return. By orders from Major Nash, he was forced to stay behind and feint an injured foot.
The boat will attack the island of Matsuwa in hopes of drawing off the Japanese ships patrolling the La Perouse strait waiting for the remaining American subs trying to make a break for home.
The oppossing captain of the Hamakaze, Hitoshi Ando is not happy with the assignment of patrolling an empty desolate tract of water when his colleagues are fighting and dying trying to stem the onslaught of the American offensive moves in the Solomons. He is ready to get into the fight, but Admiral Yamada, who is joining the hunt, convinces him that this mission is of vital importance.
You add up all the different story lines, the size of the battle area and the vast array of characters and attitudes, this should have been a block-buster! Nope.
I’d like to say there was suspense in this story, there isn’t. Unlike the first two I mentioned, you know what’s going to happen before it does. I find that a poor set-up. And why did the author feel it necessary to throw in unwanted cliffhangers at the end of most chapters? They added nothing.
One of the biggest problems for me, this was supposed to be an action-packed thriller. Instead it bogs down with what everyone is thinking and trying to analyze every situation. Why? The plot and the characters should have been able to carry the story forward without all the back drag of rehashing issues and having the characters spend page after page of re-evaluating every situation that arises.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, quick somewhat enjoyable read, you won’t be disappointed.
Three Stars
June 26, 2020
The Guns of Camerone!
Oh yes I did enjoy this one! If you're harking back to the days when one of the biggest things in your life was the release of the next Douglas Reeman paperback then this might be one for you. It's back to basics WWII storytelling with plenty of action and no little adventure. It's not quite so often that the allied submarine forces are highlighted but this story, based only loosely on actual events during WWII, does just that. An American wolfpack of submarines is stranded deep in hostile waters with seemingly no way out, one more sub is sent on a dangerous mission to provide the diversion that will help them escape the predatory Japanese Imperial Navy.
The story that follows is classic WWII writing and the last few hours of the book do a great job of bringing the story to an exciting conclusion. There is land action and sea action, pinging sonar and terrifying depth charges, gunfire and fighting and of course a fanatical Japanese navy vengefully trying to eliminate the US submarines. It's told from both sides of the story giving both the US forced and the Japanese ones depth and character.
Tim Campbell does a decent job of the narration, especially towards the end I thought bringing it to life nicely and even if he doesn't have the biggest variety of accents and character voices he has a rich voice which I enjoyed listening to.
So, if you want to relive the Guns of Navarone or other classic war stories through the medium of a more recent release this is a decent choice. There's nothing pretentious or complicated about it just what felt like well-researched classic WWII naval story-telling which, as it turned out, was just what I needed!
Oh yes I did enjoy this one! If you're harking back to the days when one of the biggest things in your life was the release of the next Douglas Reeman paperback then this might be one for you. It's back to basics WWII storytelling with plenty of action and no little adventure. It's not quite so often that the allied submarine forces are highlighted but this story, based only loosely on actual events during WWII, does just that. An American wolfpack of submarines is stranded deep in hostile waters with seemingly no way out, one more sub is sent on a dangerous mission to provide the diversion that will help them escape the predatory Japanese Imperial Navy.
The story that follows is classic WWII writing and the last few hours of the book do a great job of bringing the story to an exciting conclusion. There is land action and sea action, pinging sonar and terrifying depth charges, gunfire and fighting and of course a fanatical Japanese navy vengefully trying to eliminate the US submarines. It's told from both sides of the story giving both the US forced and the Japanese ones depth and character.
Tim Campbell does a decent job of the narration, especially towards the end I thought bringing it to life nicely and even if he doesn't have the biggest variety of accents and character voices he has a rich voice which I enjoyed listening to.
So, if you want to relive the Guns of Navarone or other classic war stories through the medium of a more recent release this is a decent choice. There's nothing pretentious or complicated about it just what felt like well-researched classic WWII naval story-telling which, as it turned out, was just what I needed!
January 10, 2020
Great submarine adventure ! Just the right amount of technical jargon and terminology to be interesting but not "overbearing".
bearing".I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in the exploits of the United States Navy and the war in the Pacific Theater of operations
bearing".I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in the exploits of the United States Navy and the war in the Pacific Theater of operations
April 27, 2019
Well worth reading
Wolfpack 351 is a fictional tale based on real, but unrelated, events in WW Two. Engrossing and tense, the story is told from both sides of the conflict and puts a human face on the combatants.
Wolfpack 351 is a fictional tale based on real, but unrelated, events in WW Two. Engrossing and tense, the story is told from both sides of the conflict and puts a human face on the combatants.
May 2, 2019
This was a very good read. The author is very familiar with WW2 submarines and weaves a good story that is well worth the time spent reading it. The author is an excellent wordcrafter and I look forward to reading more of his books.
June 15, 2019
Just Ok
This fictional depiction of submarine warfare in the Pacific just never got going for me. None of the characters were particularly well drawn and I didn’t have an affinity for any. The writing was at a high school level, in my opinion. Not a bad book but not memorable.
This fictional depiction of submarine warfare in the Pacific just never got going for me. None of the characters were particularly well drawn and I didn’t have an affinity for any. The writing was at a high school level, in my opinion. Not a bad book but not memorable.
November 4, 2019
Awesome read!!!!!!!!
Great read. The intensity of this book kept me reading day and night. I could not put it down. This author has done a wonderful job of putting the actions of our submarine service into an awesome book. Defiantly five stars!!!!!.
Great read. The intensity of this book kept me reading day and night. I could not put it down. This author has done a wonderful job of putting the actions of our submarine service into an awesome book. Defiantly five stars!!!!!.
January 13, 2020
A Real Page-Turner
Fictional but based on well researched facts and descriptions. There is some literary license taken but it only adds to the storyline. Beware, this book may cause loss of sleep because you can't put it down.
Fictional but based on well researched facts and descriptions. There is some literary license taken but it only adds to the storyline. Beware, this book may cause loss of sleep because you can't put it down.
January 14, 2021
A fictional story,but a worthwhile read
It accurately portrays combat in a submarine and the hardships suffered. The heroics of such warriors should be recognized and very much appreciated. They were patriots that gave their all.
It accurately portrays combat in a submarine and the hardships suffered. The heroics of such warriors should be recognized and very much appreciated. They were patriots that gave their all.
April 6, 2022
Reads as if the author was asleep at the keyboard...
After reading the Dilouie series, this thing falls totally flat. Bad plot ideas, terrible character development. Was really hoping for more.
- R. Craver.....
After reading the Dilouie series, this thing falls totally flat. Bad plot ideas, terrible character development. Was really hoping for more.
- R. Craver.....
June 8, 2022
I'm a prior diesel boat sailor but not from WWII. The submarine images felt authentic. The story line was interesting and based on some historical facts. First book in some time that I actually enjoyed reading. No sex, no big white hero shooting Blacks or Arabs.
March 25, 2019
Superior story
Long a fan of submarine stories, I will now add Cooke go my list of favorite authors.
If you like a good sub story he is the writer for you.
Long a fan of submarine stories, I will now add Cooke go my list of favorite authors.
If you like a good sub story he is the writer for you.
March 29, 2019
Tremendous story
An excellent storyline that kept you turning pages. The intensity continued thorough out until the end. Good characterization and battle descriptions.
An excellent storyline that kept you turning pages. The intensity continued thorough out until the end. Good characterization and battle descriptions.
March 31, 2019
Very interesting . Kept me anxioush
Very interesting book. The author knows quite a bit about submarines and I learned a lot about how tough they have to be
Very interesting book. The author knows quite a bit about submarines and I learned a lot about how tough they have to be
April 2, 2019
Realistic WW2 Fiction
Very credible account of a fictional sortee that could well have occurred. Puts the reader right there in the Sea of Japan
Very credible account of a fictional sortee that could well have occurred. Puts the reader right there in the Sea of Japan
April 19, 2019
This was an excellent submarine story. Add R. Cameron Cooke to my list of favorite authors, particularly for submarine stories. It was an outstanding read.
May 22, 2019
Good beach read
Although it is somewhat predictable, it is a good read for a summer vacation. It reads very quickly and is ok to put down and return to later.
Although it is somewhat predictable, it is a good read for a summer vacation. It reads very quickly and is ok to put down and return to later.
June 1, 2019
Great story
This was a good book. Easy to read and fun. Filled with enough interesting characters and factual information to keep you engaged.
This was a good book. Easy to read and fun. Filled with enough interesting characters and factual information to keep you engaged.
June 18, 2019
A great story
I felt as if I were there. It's that good. I was not surprised by the ending, but relieved at the outcome anyway.
I felt as if I were there. It's that good. I was not surprised by the ending, but relieved at the outcome anyway.
July 28, 2019
Good read from booth sides of battles
Good from start to finish. Cool cutter comes to mind. To someone new to subs it's ok, but it's aha
Good from start to finish. Cool cutter comes to mind. To someone new to subs it's ok, but it's aha
July 30, 2019
Great story
For fans of submarine stories this is a good one . A little U-571, Dad Boot, and run silent run deep. Lots of action and on the edge of your seat terror
For fans of submarine stories this is a good one . A little U-571, Dad Boot, and run silent run deep. Lots of action and on the edge of your seat terror
August 20, 2019
Great Book
Could not put this book down. Everything described was like you were there. My mind was pulling for the ship to make it. Mr Cooke made it so real.
Could not put this book down. Everything described was like you were there. My mind was pulling for the ship to make it. Mr Cooke made it so real.
August 21, 2019
Great Book
It kept my interest as I read the book. You will enjoy reading this book and the rest of his books
It kept my interest as I read the book. You will enjoy reading this book and the rest of his books
September 24, 2019
very good historical fiction
excellent story rivuting suspense. one glaring error in terminology. the order is always "shoot" not fire a torpedo. I qualified on a WWII boat.
excellent story rivuting suspense. one glaring error in terminology. the order is always "shoot" not fire a torpedo. I qualified on a WWII boat.
October 16, 2019
Fantastic
Fantastic. One of the best books that I ever read. Thank You Mr. Cooke. When is the next one ? Get going !
Fantastic. One of the best books that I ever read. Thank You Mr. Cooke. When is the next one ? Get going !
October 17, 2019
I've been spoiled by other authors writing about WW II submarine warfare. Others might enjoy it.
November 27, 2019
Extremely enjoyable.
I enjoyed this book immensely. one or two minor issues on the interrelationships between some of the characters. But probably just my point of view.
I enjoyed this book immensely. one or two minor issues on the interrelationships between some of the characters. But probably just my point of view.
November 28, 2019
Great story with believable characters
Kept me going page after page...hard to put down. Recommended for a good read based in part on real history!
Kept me going page after page...hard to put down. Recommended for a good read based in part on real history!
July 1, 2020
This is a good read.....
June 6, 2021
A great WW2 submarine book. Good tech and details...good story from American and Japanese side. If you like Run Silent Run Deep....you will love this
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews