The Right Thing [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Scott Waddle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2003

When a U.S. nuclear submarine collided with a Japanese fishing vessel in the spring of 2001, the story made national headlines. Navy Commander Scott Waddle, former captain of the U.S.S. Greeneville, was at the center of the controversy. This is the first-hand, never-before-published account of that fatal moment and the heart-breaking avalanche of events that followed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

CMDR. SCOTT WADDLE (RET.)

An inspirational leader with uncompromising ethical standards, Scott Waddle graduated at the top of his class at Annapolis. With twenty years' experience in the construction, maintenance, and operation of nuclear-powered submarines, he was handpicked from a highly competitive field of 250 naval officers to command a Los Angeles class fast-attack nuclear submarine. As commanding officer of the USS Greeneville, he managed a 140-man crew. He retired from active duty in October 2001 with the rank of commander. He and his wife, Jill have a daughter, Ashley.

KEN ABRAHAM is the author of more than 50 books. His recent works include the #1 New York Times bestseller, Let's Roll, which he co-authored with Lisa Beamer; Payne Stewart, the authorized biography, also a New York Times bestseller, which he wrote with the golfer's widow, Tracey Stewart; and Racing to Win, with former NFL Super Bowl winning coach and owner of NASCAR Winston Cup championship teams, Joe Gibbs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; First Edition edition (February 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591450365
• ISBN-13: 978-1591450368
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #812,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brave, repentant, accountable, and forgiven, February 5, 2003

By 

"ericvee" (Stamford, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Right Thing (Hardcover)

I remember watching the news reports of the tragic collision between the USS Greeneville and the Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru two years ago. I felt great compassion for the victims and their families, but I also felt sorry for the Sub Commander who despite his own grief over the 9 deaths, and the end of his career, found the strength to try and do what was right.

"The Right Thing" tells us the behind-the-scenes story of how Commander Waddle was left adrift at sea by the Navy in the aftermath of the tragedy with little direction, support or even adequate legal representation. Despite it all (guilt over the loss of life, the pain of being relieved of command, the intense pressure and expense of mounting a legal campaign to save his own life, being at the center of an international incident and media firestorm, and disappointment over the actions/inaction of the Navy he loved and served for 24 years)Commander Waddle took full responsibility for the accident and the performance of his crew. He even took the witness stand at great peril and against the strong advice of is lawyers. His requests to officially apologize after the incident were unheeded, and yet he felt compelled to personally apologize to the Japanese Government and to the families of the victims themselves. The irony here is that his actions after the event actually upheld the honor of the Navy and the United States, despite their treatment of him.

The testimony given in the Inquiry gives us the startling facts of what really happened and who actually had the information that could have avoided the accident.

I was inspired by this book. I was inspired by Commander Waddle's faith, determination and character. Ten chapters in I could not put it down and read until the early hours to finish.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Self-serving cheerleader drivel, April 2, 2010

By 

w.r. james - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Right Thing (Hardcover)

How very appropriate that Waddle makes much of his years as an adolescent cheerleader, for that's the clue to his personality as revealed in this book. As a young man, he couldn't/didn't play the sport, he razzle-dazzled from the sidelines while hanging with the girls and staying all clean and pure.

Unfortunately, no amount of "rah rah" will erase the death of 9 innocents caused by his negligence. Rather than an "act of God", this was an act of a self-centered MAN who made an avoidable and terrible mistake. Even with the heavy schmaltz coating, Waddle reveals telling clues to the realilty of his career and performance: the Admiral who tries to transfer him early from command; the Chief of the Boat who leaves him in silence; the OOD and FT who don't speak up; the XO who "opposed his command"; him embarassing a CO concerning a subordinate. And how about the hubris of a man who takes time to SIGN PICTURES of the ship for his guests and gives them as momentos...I'm sure those guests REALLY needed that! The final gut-wrencher are the pictures of his grief and purporting to show his love of GREENEVILLE, wife and daughter...shameful.

I feel gypped that I lined his pocket with a royalty. In atonement, I will make a donation to any benevolent funds for EHIME MARU and GREENEVILLE.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Strangely uninspired., June 4, 2006

By 

J Johnson (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Right Thing (Hardcover)

Like several of the other reviewers, I too am a former enlisted submariner. I purchased this book to find out what really happened on the Greeneville. I remember watching in horror when this story reached the U.S. television sets. I had sadness for the families of the dead, and sadness for the crew of the Greeneville. The crew of a submarine does their job to the best of their ability. They follow the orders of their captain to a T. The Captain is ultimately responsible for the boat and the lives of everyone on board, and as this shows all too well, the lives of others in the vast oceans.

Did CDR Waddle feel bad about his actions? Yes. Did he apologize for his actions? Yes. However, something is missing here. It was almost like, I feel bad, I did wrong, it was an accident (and it was), but don't punish me.

Some military people will say that he was punished more than ample; he lost his command and his career. He was retired with a pension!

Other than that... I feel that CDR Waddle described much of the love of the fellow submariner that exemplifies the submarine force. The quality of the workers and the pride a submariner takes in his job. Good just isn't good enough.

I'm sure CDR Waddle is a good man. Good men make mistakes. Good men take responsibilities for their actions, pay for their mistakes and carry on. He appears to have done that, maybe not in the way that everyone would like or agree with.