The Silent Service: Ohio Class [Mass Market Paperback]

H. Jay Riker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2006

For years, the Ohio–class submarine served as one of the frontline weapons in America's nuclear Navy. But with the collapse of the USSR, America needs to modernize its arsenal to take into account its new enemies. With that goal, the Navy begins a controversial conversion of the USS Ohio to take America into the future of naval warfare.

The Ohio's ballistic missiles have been replaced, the tubes now capable of a two–pronged attack. What had been used to house ICBMs now can contain SEALs or a new prototype of underwater submarine, a revolutionary undersea fighter that flies through the water, striking targets at will.

Both barrels will be brought to bear against America's newest enemy, Iran. The zealots in power have unleased a terrible two–pronged plan, hoping to attack oil rich nations Oman and the UAE, while at the same time lauching a devasting attack on the American Fifth Fleet in the Gulf. Only one group of sailors and commandos can stop them -- the compliment of the USS Ohio.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

H. Jay Riker has written five books in his submarine warfare series, The Silent Service, and ten books in his bestselling military fiction series, SEALs, The Warrior Breed. Retired from the U.S. Navy, he has been writing fiction for more than a decade, and his novels have been highly praised for both their nail-biting action and remarkable authenticity.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Avon (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060524391
• ISBN-13: 978-0060524395
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars REALISTIC, August 19, 2009

By 

Swubird (Orange County, California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Silent Service: Ohio Class (Mass Market Paperback)

The SILENT SERVICE: Ohio Class, is a naval action story centering on an Iranian attempt to draw the United States into war. Iran's goal is to track the American nuclear submarine, USS Ohio, as it slips into their territorial waters and then to trick the American captain into firing the first shot.

It begins when a U.S. surveillance satellite detects a large construction project at the base of a mountain near a city called Bandar-e Charak, on the southwestern coast of Iran. The Americans think Iran is building some kind of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons manufacturing facility inside of the mountain. To find out for sure, Washington orders the USS Ohio and a navy SEAL team into the Persian Gulf to secretly check it out.

Unfortunately, the American's covert mission plays right into an elaborate trap set by Iranians. It seems they have recently purchased several Soviet made diesel submarines and have hidden them in tactical locations around the gulf where they patiently wait to spring a trap on the American submarine. They will either force the USS Ohio to surface or sink it outright. So, as the Ohio advances farther into dangerous waters the trap is sprung and the action begins. Before you know it, the water becomes crowded with more angry torpedoes swimming about than you can shake a stick at, but the bad guys learn the hard way that coming up against an Ohio Class nuclear submarine is no walk in the park.

This is the first book I've ready by H. Jay Riker. I found the story interesting--not as exciting as some, but definitely a good read. I could, however, do without the romantic side stories. To me, they're not necessary and only slow down the pace of the story. But there is plenty of action, and even a few high-tech gadgets to spice up the battle scenes. Over all, I give the book a good recommendation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A zippy submarine techno-thriller, February 2, 2009

By 

Roger J. Buffington (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Silent Service: Ohio Class (Kindle Edition)

"Ohio Class" is a very good read. It essentially prognosticates a US confrontation with Iran, with the US principally relying on the USS Ohio deploying in the Gulf. The action is mostly quite realistic and once the tension builds it never lets up. This is a true page-turner for those of us who love techo-thrillers.

Riker continues his theme that submariners can have no successful personal life, with this deployment ruining the wedding plans of one of the Ohio's sonarmen. Whenever I read one of Mr. Riker's novels, I start guessing when the romance will come crashing down as the result of the arbitrary demands of a service career. This theme seems to repeat in all of his submarine novels.

The story provides very interesting background on the capabilities of the Ohio class submarines, as well as some interesting speculation about future developments. I am not sure if the "Manta" submarine is just pure speculation or not. It seemed almost too good to be true. I also came away from this novel convinced that the shallow water of the Gulf is no place for a large US nuclear submarine. No doubt wiser heads than mine are making these kinds of decisions.

This is a very good story that engages the reader. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Page Turner, Keep You Moving, September 1, 2008

By 

DR. B (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Silent Service: Ohio Class (Mass Market Paperback)

Like all his books, great page turner with a lot of action and realistic. His books are also a good way to keep up on the latest in submarine technology BTW. A few characters, e.g., the captain of the Ohio, may have been a little sketchy, or a little to sterotyped, e.g., love sick sonarman, but not bad. Liked all his books, this one no expection.