U-Boat Far From Home [Paperback]

David Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1997

The most comprehensive account of Germany's plans for an underwater offensive against the southern continent in World War II.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Stevens is a former naval officer who served 20 years in the Royal Australian Navy. On retiring from the RAN in 1994 he was appointed Director of Naval Historical Studies within the Department of Defence (Navy).

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1864482672
• ISBN-13: 978-1864482676
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #885,606 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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating, obscure WW II episode, August 14, 2011

By 

Jason - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: U-Boat Far From Home (Paperback)

I have been an amateur military historian for 30 years, my degree is in history, and I teach secondary history; with that being said...I have read countless books on WW II naval warfare, with a specific interest in the Kriegsmarine. I was aware of U-862, her epic voyage, and her commander and his accomplishments. Most U-boat books, mention this in a sentence or so. In this book the reader learns more about KK Timm, the only naval commander in any navy to have had engagements in every ocean during WW II. The reader also learns about the crew and the farthest traveled U-boat of the war, U-862. It amazes me that this U-boat left Europe in late 1944, when Germany's fortunes were sliding, and then made it all of the way to Australia and New Zealand to operate in early 1945, while a world away Germany was being crushed on both sides by the Allies. Her successful voyage seems surrealistic given that Germany was collapsing on the other side of the world. This book also does a fine job of examining the somewhat stunted cooperation between the Japanese and Germans during the war. This does not read like a regular WW II book on naval combat. Yes, that element is definitely there, but the biggest elements of the book are the adventure and human elements of U-862's voyage. It reads more like a sea adventure than a war book at times, which I liked. I would not recommend this as a "starter" book on U-boats during the war, because it is so specific. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a basic knowledge of WW II and desires to learn more about a fascinating boat, captain, and crew during a little known episode of the war, or any person who likes sea adventure books. I'm very glad I bought this and I'm happy it's back in print because I waited a long time to get this and was not disapointed :)

4.0 out of 5 stars u boat far from home, November 15, 2011

By 

geoff - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: U-Boat Far From Home (Paperback)

excellent detailed narrative
print quality of new book was below standard with some..many.... letters in the text just readable due to poor printing

5.0 out of 5 stars U Boats on the Far side of the world., October 31, 2011

By 

R. C. J. Stewart "Buy 2many books" (U.K.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: U-Boat Far From Home (Paperback)

I searched quite hard for a copy eventually getting one on "the God ebay",
I would agree with Jason that this is not a "starter" for anyone looking for a book on U Boats unless you want to look at this particular operation, for this you will find none better.

Not too many people who don't read WW2 naval history will know anything about the "Monsoon Boats" which operated from Penang operating mostly in the Indian Ocean.
U-862 was one of these and this book describes her cruise around Australia and New Zealand in early 1945 at the very end of the war. (For the Germans that is.)
Its does explore some of the war time relationship between Japan and Germany , the Japanese having issues with dealing with Europeans not to mention their own inter service bickering which hindered the Germans based in the Far East.
(The Japanese and Germans both sent forces into the Indian Ocean and off the east Coast of Africa.)

Published in 1997 this is a very good read and quite remarkable it is , no tales of sinking thousands of tons of unsuspecting merchant shipping but an important, unknown and perhaps (until relatively recent years) a much neglected aspect of the U Boat war.

The book reads very well , the maps are clear and detailed , photos are good but clarity could have been better they are reproduced on paper) but this does not really detract from the book and I would not let it put you off.

Value for money, absolutely , it ties in well with more recently written histories on the far eastern U Boats.
See ; [...]

and

[...]

Which explore the German operations in the Far east more fully.