Customer Reviews

Thunder in the Deep: A Novel of Undersea Nuclear War

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I rarely read novels of any kind before Deep Sound Channel, and certainly never a submarine novel, but now that Joe Buff is out there I am thoroughly hooked. This book picks up where the first one left off, and everything about it is even more intense: It's faster paced, with more action, more suspense, and it's more violent, if all that can be believed. There is actually a similarity in the plot, in that in both books, the protagonists have to venture onto dry enemy land to plant a nuke, but it's a lot scarier this time. There's even more character development, and through Jeffrey and Ilse and the rest you really feel emotionally what it's like to be in an all-out war, as much as that's possible by merely reading a book. The depiction of war in its many forms couldn't be more real - it's so vivid it's hard to believe Joe has not spent his whole life on Navy submarines fighting battles. Now that I've read Joe's first 2 books I am especially eager to see what the third one will be like.

Great Book:) The way that Mr. Buff writes his combat scenes reminds a reader of what Tom Clancy used to be. This is a book that you will want to read again just to see what you missed the first time around. Mr. Buff writes submarine fiction the way it should be written. Can't wait for the next book.

Joe Buff's gripping story telling about submarines is absolutely amazing. This book really makes you think about the future of warfare. Although I liked his first book a lot, I like this book even more because he has developed his characters even better. I really do want to meet Ilse! I wonder who would play this role in a movie? The possibilities for the next book and beyond are endless...

I just finished reading this last night, and all I can say is I am floored. I could not sleep until I finished this, it was just the best thriller I have read in a long time.

This is Joe's second novel following the exploits of the Jeffrey Fuller and the crew of the USS Challenger, and the action is even more gripping than in the first. The conflict is ratcheted up to a whole new level, and the tac nukes fly even more freely.

What a grim conflict, what bold heroes, what great characters.

Joe is the master of near future sub novel, I now measure all others against his work. Tom Clancy eat your heart out. The only downer about this book is waiting until he finishes his next book. I might recommend you read his first book before reading this one, but it should hold up on it's own just fine.

Thunder in the Deep was the first Joe Buff book that I have read and it was good enough for me to make his first book, Deep Sound Channel, my next read.

I picked up the book because he has been compared to Tom Clancy. Since I have read and enjoyed Clancy's novels, I thought that I'd give Buff a try. While I am glad that I did, I found that the comparisons to Clancy were unwarrented. This is NOT a bad thing. Clancy's books are much deeper and have a much wider scope, often containing political or social commentary that he ties in well with the rest of the story. You won't find any of that in Thunder in the Deep. The result is a book that maintains its pace throughout and keeps the action coming. This is not to say that the author is any less a writer than Clancy, just that the book is a different type of read.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes Clancy, military or combat novels, and especially people who enjoy techno-warfare.

After reading Deep Sound Channel, I was eagerly waiting for Thunder in the Deep. Now I'm eagerly waiting for the next one.

I can only imagine the research that has gone into creating such a vivid picture of life and warfare on a nuclear-powered submarine. The author's scenario for an early 21st-century political situation is thoroughly plausible and chilling. There's no wasted pages here--every scene gets you more deeply involved. I feel as if I know and care about these characters as people, so I really do want to know what happens next.

Reading this novel was a satisfying look into the Navy, with many lessons to be learned. Starting off, you would think only individuals with a lot of military knowledge would be able to comprehend this story, but that is not the case. Instead of hindering your enjoyment, the terms only make the book better. Wisely, the author has chosen to include a terms glossary, which proved very helpful.

The plot keeps you at the edge of your seat with its action packed, vivid descriptions, and you find yourself rooting strongly for the USS Challenger. Remind yourself that it is just fiction! The characters are not hard military figures, but instead regular military people that are dealing with their emotions...same as everybody else. Such emotions in the characters really draws your interest into the final outcome of the book.

But! The USS Challenger (and the crew members) get thereselves in and out of so many predicaments that you would think they were superhuman! Don't let this take away from the overall appeal, though, and don't be intimidated by the greatness of this story. It is a wonderful read!

This writer is without doubt one of my favorite writers! I enjoy all of his great stories and I know you will too! This is one book you won't want to miss!

Wow I opened up the dust jacket,and instantly become hooked.What authenticity, what realism, what terrific characters!
great writing,great story,great research.Joe Buff really did his homework on this.Being an amateur military historian,I now how plausible this growing saga really is,especially after the September 11th attack.

Joe Buff has done it again, this time better than last. Very suspenseful submarine warfare in the future. A great read at a time when real technological warfare is ongoing. This book is as timely as the first, given the sinking of the Russian submarine Kursk and its salvaging operation.It sheds much light on the thinking behind "smart" weapons and those seasoned warriors who use them.