Author

Sherry Sontag

📖 Overview

Sherry Sontag is an investigative journalist and author best known for her work on submarine warfare and naval intelligence during the Cold War. Her most significant book is "Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage" (1998), co-authored with Christopher Drew and Annette Lawrence Drew. Through extensive research and interviews with former submarine officers and crew members, Sontag helped uncover previously classified details about U.S. submarine operations against the Soviet Union. The book revealed how American submarines tapped underwater Soviet communication cables and conducted surveillance missions in hostile waters. Prior to her work on submarine warfare, Sontag wrote for various publications as an investigative reporter focusing on military and intelligence matters. She has been credited with helping bring important naval history to light through her detailed research and ability to gain access to previously undisclosed sources. "Blind Man's Bluff" became a New York Times bestseller and is considered a definitive work on Cold War submarine operations. The book has been widely cited in naval and military history discussions and helped shape public understanding of undersea warfare and intelligence gathering.

👀 Reviews

Readers primarily know Sontag through "Blind Man's Bluff," which maintains a 4.3/5 rating on Goodreads and 4.7/5 on Amazon across thousands of reviews. Readers appreciate: - Deep research and declassified information presentation - Personal accounts from submarine crew members - Clear explanation of technical concepts for non-experts - Engaging narrative style that reads like a thriller Common criticisms: - Some readers found parts repetitive - A few reviewers wanted more technical details - Others noted the narrative jumps between different time periods From Amazon reviews: "Finally tells the story of the silent service without getting bogged down in jargon" - Reader M.K. "Makes complex submarine operations understandable" - Reader D.T. On Goodreads, military history readers consistently rate it among top submarine warfare books. Naval veterans frequently comment on its accuracy, though some note certain operations remain classified. The book maintains strong sales and review scores 25 years after publication.

📚 Books by Sherry Sontag

Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage (1998) A detailed account of submarine warfare and espionage operations during the Cold War, based on interviews with submariners and declassified documents.

Dear Parents: Letters to Parents of Young School Children (1972) A collection of letters addressing common concerns and questions from parents about their children's early education experiences.

👥 Similar authors

Peter Sasgen writes about submarine warfare and naval intelligence during World War II and the Cold War. His books "War Fish" and "Red Scorpion" cover covert submarine operations with a focus on firsthand accounts from veterans.

Norman Polmar specializes in naval and military history with extensive coverage of submarine technology and operations. He has authored reference works on submarines and naval warfare that include declassified information and technical details.

John Pina Craven served as Chief Scientist of the Navy's Special Projects program and wrote about undersea technology and covert operations. His memoir "The Silent War" details classified Cold War submarine missions and deep-sea programs.

Roy Hutton focuses on submarine espionage operations during the Cold War period. His works include comprehensive accounts of undersea intelligence gathering and submarine surveillance missions.

Gregory Freeman writes about military history with emphasis on covert operations and intelligence missions. His book "The Forgotten 500" examines classified WWII rescue operations using similar narrative techniques to Sontag's work.