Customer Reviews

Up Periscope

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a non-fiction WWII book that is based on a true story. It is about one of the first navy frogmen, Ken. In the story the pilot of a Japanese plane attacks the sub on which Ken is riding on. The captain of the sub is the only one hit, thanks to his ability to do a crash dive. The sub however, has a big hole in it. Ken then had to do go down and find out the damage. The hole was huge! They had to make temporary repairs before continuing. Then Ken went to complete his recon mission on the island. I won't spoil the ending but let's just say it's surprising!
I'm a history buff who really likes learning about WWII. So that's why I choose this book. Don't be put off by how short this book is, it is factual but has a plot.

Based on a true story, UP PERISCOPE is the tale of frogman Lt.(j.g.) Ken Braden, a young Navy reservist who is chosen for a covert mission to a Japanese-held island during World War II.

In order to carry out his espionage mission, Ken is assigned to the submarine "USS Shark". The "Shark" is commanded by a posing martinet, Cmdr. Paul Stevenson, who seems dedicated to avoiding battle with the Japanese even while putting his boat and crew at risk. Having run from several encounters and taken pummelings anyway, his crew is unhappy and inefficient. Stevenson himself is a surly and unpleasant man who has no interest in Ken Braden's mission and cares not at all if he makes it as personally deadly to the young officer as possible.

Despite Stevenson's allergy to battle, the "Shark" cannot avoid several tense and terrifying encounters with the Japanese Navy, during one of which the Executive Officer, Phil Carney must take command. Carney quickly turns the "Shark" into a fighting ship, and aids Ken Braden in carrying out his mission.

The one drawback to UP PERISCOPE is the now trite familiarity of the story, but that is only because the novel dates from 1956 and it's basic storyline has been retold in various forms nonstop for the last fifty years. For the 2000s it steps perhaps too far back from being graphic, even for its primary young audience. For the 1950s and 1960s the tone was right. Many Eisenhower Babies now in their 40s and 50s came to this book as youngsters and remember it very well.

Despite the fact that it is usually classed as "Young Adult" fiction, UP PERISCOPE is a simply and directly written, well-told, well-plotted, and riveting book even for adults. The depiction of life (and death) on a diesel sub in the Pacific Theatre circa 1943 is detailed and honest, giving the reader a true taste of the experience of war even while extolling the good old-fashioned virtue of gumption, and highlighting the ordinary heroism of getting the job done under extraordinary circumstances.

I bought this book from Junior Scholastic's "Arrow Book Club" and read it in 1960, when I was in third grade. I never forgot it, and when I was grown and faced mandatory military service, I joined the Navy and volunteered for submarines. Great book.

There is little I can add to the previous reviewers' coments in praise of this terrific little book - all of their comments are precisely right on the money. I, too, read this book at the age of nine and it led to a life-long interest in the boats and my own service in ballistic missile submarines circa 1980. Oddly enough, the atmosphere of cameraderie and professionalism White portrays in his book turned out to be a surprisingly accurate reflection of actual submarine life, albeit cleaned up for a more innocent audience. In spite of a couple of technical errors (which really don't detract at all from its strong points), I can't recommend it enough.

but they are definitely two separate books.

Both are highly enjoyable.

Up Periscope has a somewhat different perspective, in that it portrays a little bit more of what life on board a WW2 diesel boat in the Pacific Theatre was like. Readers who enjoy this aspect of the book would also doubtless enjoy 'Run Silent, Run Deep,' by Capt. Edward Beach.

Robb White had the gift of economy of words. With a very few short sentences, he is able to evoke powerful feelings and emotions. His books truly set the standard in the 'coming of age' style of books in the 60's.

We need more writers like him.

His wife, Annie White, runs a publishing company in LA. Her only purpose is to get more of his books back into print. So far, she has succeded with just the two books currently available- 'Deathwatch,' and 'Lions Paw.' Lets hope she gets more out soon.

There are a lot of kids who would benefit from reading these books.

I read this book as a teenager and remember it fondly. I ran across my old copy recently while looking for the next book to read to my three older children (ages 17/15/13) and decided to try it on them. They are truly enjoying it (as am I). I am gratified to find something so well-written, and mature in outlook, yet without the "adult" content and profanity that so many modern writers think is required to hold a reader's attention. For a taut, gripping adventure story and a sense of life on a WW2 submarine, I highly recommend this book.

I also can't add much to the previous reviewers in praise of this book other than to second that it is an excellent adventure tale set in WWII that follows a young man from pre-action naivete to scarred veteran. This is what Robb White does best: a sometimes brutally honest depiction of young men in wartime situations carrying out the job they were sent to do with varying emotions, all of them real. Every character seems true, the action feels absolutely real, though one reviewer said it wasn't always accurate. I am not an authority so I can't comment on that but the details included by White always have the ring of truth. He touches the gritty every-day details of the equipment and situations as if he's been there. In many situations he has been there. White is one of the few men about whom we can say he writes what he knows. This book and White's other related novels never talk down to kids which goes a long way toward why adults like myself still enjoy them as much as the younger crowd. The morals are simple but the characters and their situations are not. Also highly recommend Torpedo Run and Silent Ship, Silent Sea if you enjoyed Up Periscope.

This is a very good story about a young man on an important mission against the Japanese in World War II. He must be ferried on a submarine which has its own problems. The author also wrote Silent Ship, Silent Sea, one of my favorite stories. This book has been out of print for awhile and has always been overshadowed by Beach's Run Silent, Run Deep. But check it out if you can find a copy.

As a fan of WWII history and submarine warfare in particular, I can't believe I had never heard of Robb White or this book.

I only stumbled upon it at a flea market a week ago on the 2 for $1 table and decided that it looked interesting. Mine is a paperback with a 1956 publication date making me 10 years old when it hit the bookstores.

From page 1, I wasn't able to put it down. I won't spoil the plot (although some already have) for you by going into the details, but if you're a fan of this genre, pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed.

A great book by one of my favorite authors! Amazingly gripping storyline, set aboard a WWII submarine. A secret mission to a Japanese held island. Really great reading, demanding to be read in one sitting!