Customer Reviews

Nothing Friendly In The Vicinity

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in submarines. Since I made five submarine war patrols during WWII, and served in the U.S. Navy for twenty six years, it's possible I may be a bit biased. This is the best submarine book I've ever read that gives a realistic look at the day to day life of a submarine crew in action. The perspective is from the view of an enlisted man,who really tells it the way it was.

This is an interesting book for one reason in particular. It is the only first person account of submarine warfare I know that was written by an enlisted sailor in the navy. It's well written a good story and shouldn't take long to finish.

This book centers more on the personal triumphs of the people on board the submarine and less on the strategy of submarines in the war. All in all, a great account of their war patrols.

As a radio nut I think it's particularly interesting that the author was a radio man in the service. I can't think of a book written by anyone in the service who played a role in radio service. As a result of mission he was in a key position to observe everything that was going with the ship and its place in history.

If you liked this book you might like to find War in the Boats, Wahoo, Clear the Bridge, and Silent Running by Calvert.

This book about the submarine USS Gaurdfish is an in depth look at look at the war patrols of a famous sub and is a great read. I highly recommend reading this book to veterans and people who are interested in military ships and events.

Highly recommend to any one interested in WWII sub warfare. Great stories that read well, easy book to follow, and very entertaining.

I try to read most of the submarine books that come along and in the case of this title, I'm glad I did. The author, Claude C. Conner, wrote it for his children,I bet he's surprised to find he has so many of them! Being aimed at those uninitiated to submarine lore, the book is quite easy to read and very easy to comprehend; certainly the glossary demistifies much of the goings-on of the diesel boats of bygone years.

The book is also jam-packed with thrilling stories of The Guardfish's patrols both when the author served on her and when he didn't! The book is easily read in one or two sittings as a result of the author's knack for telling true submarine adventure tales.

The title alludes to an unfortunate "friendly" fire occurence, the only one during World War II in which a US fleetboat sank another US Navy surface craft. Most of the last 4 or so chapters recount some of the slickest brass hat equivocating, obfuscating and ring-knockery to be beheld in naval literature, some things in life never change!

All in all, this is a terrific book, not only for it's portrayal of naval history and heroism but also for it's depiction of human nature. Pick up a copy, and when you're finished, pass it along. Or make your friends buy a copy at Amazon dot com!

Claude Conner's account of his experiences as a submariner and the history of the great submarine he crewed on during the second world war is a fascinating account of what that exciting and fearful life was really like. He tells of the great commanding officers and their triumphs and frustrations, and of the unfortunate mistake hinted at in the title of the book. I found this truthful and rather fascinating book difficult to put down until I had finished it. I can highly recommend it.

Mr.Connor's book is boring! He recalls his experiences on the "GARDFISH" which was no "experience" at all. That's 1/3 of the book. He then shares his memories on a repair ship. Another 1/3. Then devotes the final 1/3 to the mistaken sinking of a friendly ship..the rescue of the surviors and the boring trial which followed. Don't buy this book in expectation of reading exciting missions of an US submarine..there isn't any!
I cannot encourage anyone to buy this book.