Eugene B. Fluckey (1913–2007)

I was laboriously slogging through William Faulkner's Go Down, Moses and finding it challenging of comprehension at times when one of my grandsons lent me his copy of Thunder Below! along with his high recommendation of it. Fully intending to finish Faulkner's novel first, I couldn't resist the temptation of glancing at the first page or two of Thunder Below!, and now I have to go back and finish Faulkner because Eugene Fluckey's historical narrative grabbed my attention and never turned show more loose.

The book has no acknowledgments section so I have no idea if it is the product of the author alone, of a ghost writer, or of an unusually fine proof reader or editor. Honestly, I find it difficult to believe that anyone who is not a professional, practiced author could have written this book. However, whether Fluckey wrote the book entirely by himself or whether he had unacknowledged help, the product is an adroitly composed, captivating, almost mesmerizing history of the amazing exploits of the submarine USS Barb off the Japanese coast during World War II.

Not only did I feel that the quality of the narrative was possibly beyond the skill of a first-time author but I also questioned the veracity of several of the submarine's engagements and its on-shore sabotage exploit. They were simply too incredibly successful for belief. Who has ever heard of a submarine crew blowing up an enemy railroad train? After finishing the 423-page book, I did a bit of research and, lo and behold, the exploits appear to have been entirely factual. What an intriguing history this is!

Beyond its highly readable text, the book includes several historical photographs and appendices listing the men who served aboard the boat, detailing her attacks on Japanese targets, and explaining the symbols on her battle flag. Following the appendices is an index should a reader wish to locate commentary on specific topics.

If I have any nit to pick with Thunder Below! it's that I could have wished for a few footnotes to describe some phraseology whose meaning may not be readily apparent to a general reader For instance, certain appliances on the submarine and designations of specific types of sonar and radar would be more meaningful to the reader were a handy explanation appended at the bottom of the page on which they occur. Fortunately, these occurrences are not so frequent as to impede the reader's enjoyment of the narrative, but they do leave a few question marks in one's mind.

Despite the sole nit that I've just picked, I found Fluckey's book engrossing while being factually informative of World War II-era submarine warfare. I believe this is also the first history I've read that clarified the Soviet Union's involvement (or lack thereof) in the Pacific theater of the war. The Soviets' engagement there was far different than in Europe. Military history buffs who read the book for its historical content as well as adventure buffs who enjoy stirring tales of derring-do will, I believe, find that Thunder Below! thoroughly meets their expectations and desires. show less

The fascinating story of the most accomplished submarine in the Pacific in World War II, written by its captain.

The story itself is thrilling, and improbable and daring in that special way only history can be. Yet as much as it gains from being written by an actual eye-witness, it loses from the author being a bit dry and probably inexperienced at writing. Still, a fascinating tale.

I would give it three stars on its own. But reading it after reading "Das Boot" makes for such a striking show more contrast that it elevates the book to four stars. In Das Boot the author is a crewman who perceives submarine warfare as terrifying and feels small in the face of the forces of nature. Thunder Below's narrator could not be more different: as the caption, the ocean is a playground, and enemy action a game to be won. Two very different viewpoints that somehow strengthen each other in a way neither can on their own. show less

No doubt about it, this is the absolute BEST American submarine account out there that I have read. Usually I tell folks if you want an exciting submarine warfare book you need to read the German stuff, but now I finally have an American account to recommend. This guy had b$^ls that clanked and knew when and how to push things to the brink. Get it, read it, you will LOVE it!!!

This is an outstanding account of the author's five triumphant patrols in the USS Barb in the Pacific in 1944 and 1945. The intensity of the account at times rivals fiction. One is filled with admiration for the superb technical knowledge and effective leadership of the author as a sub commander. He lost not a man while commanding the sub despite the very aggressive and gung-ho manner in which he pursued the enemy. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, despite his position that only dead people show more should get that. An outstanding book on a brilliant career. show less