Hell Above, Deep Water Below [Hardcover]

Dale Russell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 096438499X | ISBN-13: 978-0964384996 | Publication Date: May 1, 1995 | Edition: First

This story marks the transition of a rural high school boy during World War II through basic training, torpedo School, submarine school and into submarine warfare in the Sea of Japan.

It is a tale of war, as more than one submariner experienced it; it is a tale of readjustment to peace. It is a story of meeting the demons of war and coming to terms with them.

But most of all, it takes us into the world -- the sights, smells and sounds of submarine warfare as it was actually experienced from inside a one-inch hull in the World War II Pacific Theater. One can smell the fear, see the planes with their bombs, hear the emergency klaxon's sound; feel the pounding of the depth charges and experience the muscle strain from pushing the torpedoes home.

It is a documentary of great triumph, in which tragedy is not forgotten. It swelters in 129-degree heat and shivers in arctic winds.

It is, then, manifestly, a book that one feels -- in the mind, heart, muscles and guts.

It is the story, and the uncertainty, of the double cat and mouse game of war, in which at any moment, the mouse you chase may become the cat, and you his small prey.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author's life exemplifies the typical adventurous spirit of the submariner. He has always sought challenges in a variety of forms, which include; boxing, motorcycle riding, breaking horses, and alpine ski racing. An avid lover of nature, he has backpacked on many wilderness trails and hiked into secluded fishing areas.

These activities served to spice up his life while he devoted twenty-two years to high school classroom teaching and seven years to school administration.

In 1949, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mansfield, Mansfield, Pennsylvania. In 1952, he gained a Master of Arts degree from the University of Denver, Denver Colorado. In quest of specific knowledge, he has studied at the University of Nevada - Reno, Oregon State University, Portland State University, and the University of Oregon.

During his years in the field of education, his love of nature and spirit of adventure led him to still another demanding sport -- mountain and rock climbing. He has climbed in the Rocky Mountains, the Cascade Mountain Range, and the California and Nevada High Sierras. His enthusiasm for the sport took him to the Alps and the summits of Matterhorn and Mount Blanc.

During his years of serious climbing, he was a certified climb leader with the Mazamas. This century-old climbing club, based in Portland, Oregon, has nearly 3,000 members.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: R A Cline Pub; First edition (May 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096438499X
• ISBN-13: 978-0964384996
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,185,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars War, peace and recovery in one man's story, March 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Hell Above, Deep Water Below (Hardcover)

Dale Russell's thoughtful biography is one of several World War II recollections recently written in an apparent attempt to finally lay the ghost of that great conflagration to rest. It covers just a year in the author's life, but one in which - like many young men of his generation - he was plucked from his family to fight an unknown enemy in the alien and dangerous environment of a fleet submarine in the Pacific. Unlike most naval biographies, written by retired officers, this is written from the point of view of an ordinary, enlisted seaman, sweating away in the filthy, slimy stench of a tiny torpedo room. It takes the reader into the drama and danger of battle and creates a cinema-screen picture of life aboard a submarine in the brief tension of battle and the much longer bouts of boredom, frustration and claustrophobic conditions. But this is not a book about war, it is a book about survival - survival against all the odds of missions into enemy waters, depth charges, and treacherous seas. But more important, it is about the survival of ordinary, decent, gentle manhood despite conditions that you might expect to create degenerate animals. This book should be read by all who are interested in the human experience in war and peace.

Reviewed by Ray Taylor, London

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good action, nice perspective, writing style not up to par, February 18, 2000

By 

T. Whigham (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hell Above, Deep Water Below (Hardcover)

Dale Russell joined the Navy right out of high school as patriotic fervor swept across the US after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Separated from his sweetheard, Russell was sent to Australia as part of a submarine repair/refresh crew. While there, he did two things (a) fell in love with a local girl and (b) got his wish to serve on a combat patrol aboard a US attack submarine. He served the last two war patrols of the USS Flying Fish before the war's ending sent him home to an uncertain future. His first patrol found him cruising the south Pacific, engaging Japanese shipping during the island-hopping campaign. His second patrol was probably the most exciting time of his life, as his boat was sent, along with 8 others, into the impenetrable Sea of Japan. Courageous submarine pilotage was required to get the 9-boat task force through the minefields and natural barriers on the southern coast of Japan. From there, the force split up as each submarine took up its assigned station. In a coordinated attack, the boats sent torpedoes against targets at each port along Japan and Korea, sinking whatever they could, photographing the facilities for future intelligence ops, and taking prisoners for interrogation. The surprise attacks were a complete success, but resulted in the loss of a single submarine. Russel's interpretation of that loss is vividly recounted in the book, one of the better passages. The book does a nice job of placing the reader in the forward torpedo room, Russel's station, which is a nice change from the books written by former skippers and admirals. I also enjoyed the passages where Russel describes his life immediately after his discharge from the Navy, when he left civilization to clear his mind of the war memories, and of the friends who threw him a lifeline back to America. I only regret that the writing style had been a bit more descriptive. Still, the book is a good afternoon read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really like this book for a number of reasons, June 10, 2004

By 

Randy Rathbun "total nerd" (Independence, MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hell Above, Deep Water Below (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Russell's book. First, let me say these guys were absolutely nuts - and I mean that with all due respect. How a young man could go for months in one of these subs is totally amazing, especially considering just how dangerous it is.

I found the book to be a really quick read. It is one of those few books that you start to read and can not put down for any reason. His explanations of life aboard a sub are described very well. Combine this book with the fantastic "Das Boot" and you have one heck of a good idea what life would have been like.

Like I said though, I have other reasons for liking this book as well. My grandfather was on this very boat with Mr. Russell, and my Uncle was on the boat as well and is featured many times throughout it's pages. Since my grandfather passed away many years before I was born, I got the inside scoop on just what he went through. And in a lot of ways I think I found out too why he passed away, too. Mr. Russell explained it all.