Customer Reviews

Crazy Ivan Based on a True Story of Subm

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is an exasperating book. Author Craig Reed gives the reader just enough details to keep him on the hook, then glosses over other incidents and examples from his career that would have made this book a much bettter read. Rather than tell the whole story, he cuts seeminly at random from anecdote to anecdote.

Towards the end of the book, Reed has left the Navy after an "incident" he was "inadvertently drawn into, which resulted in Captain's mast [discipline]...one that I was eventually cleared of." Well, what happened, Craig? First you've left the Navy, and one chapter later, you're back in, on a better boat, on another spy mission -- what happened in the interim? It's this sort of material that would have given the reader a better look at Navy life, instead of one painted with broad brush strokes.

For a more balanced and far more readable look at submarine life, I recommend Andrew Karam's "Rig Ship for Ultra-Quiet." Reed may be a brave and patriotic Navy diver, but he still could have benefited from a better editor.

Wow, a page turner. I was on a diesel boat that was in the same vicinity in the late 50's. We didn't have divers aboard, but we had what we called 'spooks'. They listened to the 'radio' and we recorded 'sounds' and took bearings on radar installations. We also took pictures, but used a 4 x 5 graflex that kinda attached to the periscope. Our sound gear wasn't as good as it was on the Haddo, but it worked. It was all electron tubes and there was some down time...

It was good to hear of some of the antics that went on when Mr. Reed reported aboard. I doubt if that's allowed in the 'new' Navy....

Crazy Ivan is a definite MUST READ for any 'sewer pipe' sailor..

As the song goes. "Those were the Days, my friend.."

Oooga, Oooga.. dive dive..

Walters FTU3(SS) USS Caiman (SS 323)

I just finished reading Crazy Ivan and found I couldn't put it down. Having put the USS Greenling in commission and being around during some of the earlier submarine 'adventures' I found very little that I could fault in your writing. Some of the nuke technical facts weren't quit right, but coming from a 'forward puck' it was close enough. I enjoyed your style and the stories more than I could ever say. Thanks for taking me back aboard.

The Crazy Ivan concept and story line are communicated effectively. The introduction accurately informs readers of the biographical nature of the story. The author's writing style is very effectively communicated. The factual nature of writing lends great authenticity to what is being told. With regard to mechanics, this is one of the best books I've had the privilege of reading. The author has a very good command of the English language, grammar and spelling.

As a retired Navy Master Chief (1973) I found this story quite fascinating and very factual. Early on when the author describes an incident with a wharf rat and his 45, I was taken back to a similar embarrassing incident in 1956 while standing PO of the watch aboard ship in Pearl. From that point on, the book just became more and more interesting.

Another bit of nostalgia involves the USS Parche to which the author was ordered in 1980. The original USS Parche was a Navy Reserve training submarine located in Alameda, CA during the late 50s and early 60s. The skipper at that time was a good friend, an academy football player and now retired Admiral.

Enough reminiscing, I really enjoyed Crazy Ivan.

W. Craig Reed needs to be veted out. I question many of the "facts" he speaks of. A submarine SCUBA diver getting closed circuit training, going along on a gas dive, riding in an SDV...come on! No Master Diver on his worst day would allow any of that to happen. His submarine details are marginal at best...it's STS! And, it's periscope photography school!

The book's a fair read as a fictional adventure, but ask any real Navy diver and he or she will say BS!

STS1 (SS/DV) 1982-95

Very disappointed. I'm ex-Royal Australian Navy and have a big interest in all things "Cold War". I thought that this book would add to the detail in "Blind Man's Bluff". Not so. The first half is a rambling diary of a sailor's life (including sexual references -who needs it?). The second half "alludes" to three major projects of the Cold War - Holy Stone, Ivy Bells and Boresight. I found more information on the web than was revealed in the book. I paid $15 to get the book from the US to Aust. as it's unavailable here - not happy Jan! (that's an Australian saying).
Don't bother.
John Bolton

There are so many errors in this book, 1000 words are not enough. At times I wondered if the author had even been on a submarine. It appears to me as if the author took a lot of information from various sources and attempted to put himself in the middle of the action.

After I got over the glaring typos on the first page, I settled in for a marathon reading session. The book is divided in to two parts, one "real" and the other fictionalized, detailing the author's career in the navy. Following these two sections is a concluding section that appears to be footnote-type material but has some fictional narrative interspersed. Throughout are nice "hardware" descriptions that will appeal to Clancy fans.

No photos. The book gives a URL "to download color photos" but there weren't any that I could find on the site.

I'm not about to ask for a refund, but I think the book could have used some additional editing. So, if you were really in love with Blind Man's Bluff or Big Red, you'll find something to like here.

THE NEW EDITION OF CRAZY IVAN IS NOW AVAILABLE!
ORDER ISBN #0595265065

Often times authors attempt to create characters over a period of time for the reader to identify with and Clancy's "Ryan" is a perfect example of such an effort. But, what if you were the "character" and you were able to literally "listen in" and/or peek inside the personal diary of someone who actually lived this life? Bill Reed's, aka "Boatman", Crazy Ivan is a great read and one where I felt more in synch with because this story did represent some real world experiences this individual found himself involved. Even the sheer fact of enlisting was more by accident then deliberate and to tell these stories in such a context to real-world events was fascinating. I found myself wondering what else is happening, even today, that for most part many of us will never know. I give thanks more and more each day to those who serve in the armed forces for our country and Reed's book here illustrates how many of us take their actions for granted. I would have rated this a 5 star if the book had been longer....