The War Below

The War Below chronicles the Pacific War through the lens of three U.S. submarines - the USS Silversides, USS Drum, and USS Tang. The narrative follows their crews from 1941-1945 as they conduct missions in Japanese-controlled waters. The book draws on interviews, wartime documents, and personal letters to reconstruct life aboard these submarines during their patrols. Scott examines the psychological and physical challenges faced by submariners who operated in cramped quarters while hunting enemy vessels. The submarine force played a critical role in disrupting Japan's maritime supply lines during World War II, though their contributions often went unrecognized. The missions of these three submarines exemplify both the strategic importance and human cost of the U.S. submarine campaign. The War Below reveals the complexity of submarine warfare through individual stories of courage, loss, and survival. The parallel narratives of these three crews illuminate broader themes about leadership, brotherhood, and the true nature of modern naval combat.

Readers consistently note the book brings overlooked submarine warfare stories to life through detailed personal accounts and crew experiences. Many appreciate how Scott weaves together three separate submarine narratives while maintaining clarity and momentum. Readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex naval operations and terminology - Balance of technical details with human interest stories - Extensive research and use of primary sources - Focus on both victories and failures Main criticisms: - Some passages become repetitive - Too much focus on certain crew members over others - Occasional jumping between timelines causes confusion Ratings: Goodreads: 4.31/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) Representative review: "Scott excels at putting you right there in the submarine with the crew during depth charge attacks. You feel their fear and determination." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mentioned the book works well for both WWII experts and newcomers to submarine warfare history.

Silent Running by James Calvert A firsthand account of submarine warfare in the Pacific from the captain of the USS Jack reveals day-to-day operations and combat experiences during World War II.

Thunder Below by Eugene Fluckey The commander of the USS Barb describes his submarine's missions against Japanese shipping and coastal targets, including the only ground combat operation on Japanese soil by U.S. forces.

Clear the Bridge by Richard O'Kane The commanding officer of the USS Tang chronicles his submarine's patrols and tactics in the Pacific theater until its sinking by its own torpedo.

Steel Boats, Iron Hearts by Hans Goebeler A German U-boat radioman provides a view from the opposing side through his experiences aboard U-505 during the Battle of the Atlantic.

Sink 'Em All by Charles A. Lockwood The commander of U.S. submarine forces in the Pacific presents the strategic overview of American submarine operations throughout World War II.

▪️ Three American submarines featured in the book - USS Silversides, USS Drum, and USS Tang - sank a combined total of 62 Japanese ships during World War II. 🌊 The USS Tang, commanded by Richard O'Kane, set records for the most ships sunk in a single patrol but tragically sank when one of its own torpedoes malfunctioned and circled back to hit the submarine. 📚 Author James M. Scott is a Pulitzer Prize finalist whose father served as a submariner during the Cold War, giving him a personal connection to the subject matter. ⚓ Only 52% of American submariners survived World War II, making it the military branch with the highest casualty rate during the conflict. 🗾 Though Japanese merchant ships carried vital supplies needed to sustain Japan's war effort, the Imperial Japanese Navy never developed an effective anti-submarine warfare program to protect them.