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Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage Mass Market Paperback – October 6, 1999

by Sherry Sontag (Author), Christopher Drew (Author), Annette Lawrence Drew (Author)

772 customer reviews

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Includes a new afterword describing submariners' responses and reactions and a new appendix of all award-winning subs honored for service in Cold War espionage operations.

With 16 pages of black-and-white photos

Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Little is known--and less has been published--about American submarine espionage during the Cold War. These submerged sentinels silently monitored the Soviet Union's harbors, shadowed its subs, watched its missile tests, eavesdropped on its conversations, and even retrieved top-secret debris from the bottom of the sea. In an engaging mix of first-rate journalism and historical narrative, Sherry Sontag, Christopher Drew, and Annette Lawrence Drew describe what went on.

"Most of the stories in Blind Man's Bluff have never been told publicly," they write, "and none have ever been told in this level of detail." Among their revelations is the most complete accounting to date of the 1968 disappearance of the U.S.S. Scorpion; the story of how the Navy located a live hydrogen bomb lost by the Air Force; and a plot by the CIA and Howard Hughes to steal a Soviet sub. The most interesting chapter reveals how an American sub secretly tapped Soviet communications cables beneath the waves. Blind Man's Bluff is a compelling book about the courage, ingenuity, and patriotism of America's underwater spies. --John J. Miller --This text refers to the Audible Audio Edition edition.

From Publishers Weekly

In an unusually successful amalgam, veteran journalists Sontag and Christopher Drew combine a gripping story with admirable research to relate previously unknown information. Throughout the Cold War, the U.S. depended heavily on submarines for intelligence gathering, whether tracking Soviet missile subs, monitoring Soviet harbors and missile tests or, in some cases, retrieving lost Soviet equipment. The U.S.S.R. responded with everything from comprehensive espionage operations to depth charge attacks on particularly intrusive snoopers. The broad outlines of this clandestine confrontation are relatively familiar, but the details have largely remained secret. Although the authors have based their book largely on interviews with submariners, intelligence operatives and politicians, they recognize the possibility of distortion and back up personal accounts with an elaborate and convincing system of verification. While necessarily incomplete, the resulting work depicts what was arguably the most successful long-term, large-scale intelligence operation in American history. From captains to seamen, the participants combined technical proficiency, insouciant courage and a cheerful scorn for regulations that often interfered with their missions. That mind-set was hardly calculated to avoid direct confrontations, and accidental collisions were not uncommon. The authors nevertheless make a solid case that the risk of a destabilizing incident was far outweighed by the gains of the campaign?especially given the depth of mutual ignorance during the Cold War.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audible Audio Edition edition.

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Product details

Mass Market Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: HarperTorch (October 6, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006103004X
ISBN-13: 978-0061030048
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
Average Customer Review: 772 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #55 in Books > History > Military > Canada
- #512 in Books > History > Military > Intelligence & Espionage
- #648 in Books > History > Military > Naval

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Top customer reviews

Cold War Stories

ByOzone Joeon May 21, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

As a kid who grew up watching ‘The Hunt For Red October’ as the Cold War was ending, I have always had a love for the idea of the silent hunters that patrol beneath the waves. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to find stories about the Cold War days of sub jousting, only to find that a lot of books are far too concerned with the technical side of the equation. I appreciate the level of research, but if I want a schematic I’ll go to Jane’s. What I enjoy far more is hearing the tales of skill and daring that defined the Cold War sub captains. So far, Blind Man’s Bluff has hit the mark more accurately than anything else I’ve read.

The book covers the use of subs in the Cold War through to the (relatively) modern day. There are some really great moments of tension and bravery to be found, including an escape from a sub on fire that is harrowing to read. The true nature of being stuck in a metal tube in the middle of nowhere gets hammered home more than once, and the risk of massive vessels dancing around each other is a constant threat in the background. Even a story that doesn’t seem that tense, where the only real ‘attack’ is merciless pinging by Russian ships, takes on a new dimension when you factor in how far from safety these sailors were. It’s actually a bit astonishing how much of this was able to go on without a major incident or full out war.

If you’re a sub hound like I am, you’ll find a lot to like in Blind Man’s Bluff. This is really a snapshot that shows the submarine in a way we’ll likely never see again.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Secret Sub Ops of the Cold War, Heroes, Traitors and Balladeers!

ByPeter B. Mapeson January 31, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Sontag and Drew - what an amazing job of reporting and investigational reporting. Some say they are traitors for publicizing the raw courage and guts of America's special project boats (submarines) throughout the Cold War, other think they are heroes. No matter which side of the coin you call, the stories in this book are riveting and make the point that the courage of our submariners and the skills of the Crews who qualify to wear American Navy Dolphins are superb. For added enjoyment, head to Spotify and look for the albums of submarine songs by Tommy Cox (who is mentioned in the book), and Booby Reed who is not. Their ballads will add a dimension to the book that is unique and should be included with it. Tommy Cox was a 'spook' on the special projects boats - listen to the ballad "Tango Charlie" to get the idea. Look for his albums 'Take Her Deep' and 'In Honor Of.' He served for 21 years in the U.S. Navy and composed the theme song 'Blind Man's Bluff' for the PBS special on Sontag and Drew's book. Bobby Reed, now an electrical engineer, partnered with Tommy Cox to put out 'Brothers of the Dolphin' which captures the humor and intensity of submarining missions. Bobby was on 'Boomers' (Missile Boats) for 6 years. When you get done with this book, you will understand that there is just about nothing a U.S. Fast Attack Crew can't make their boat do. When you pick the book up to read it, you'll hear two klaxon 'Oooogas' and the call to 'Take Her Deep.' Dive, Dive!

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Good read.

ByJ. Marshallon April 30, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Great book. I read it cover to cover, on a kindle, using an external battery that i am now ever so grateful doesn't require a diesel engine to recharge.

Have lived close to keyport and bangor all my life, new found respect for the work they all do.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Very moving book!

ByMichael N. Stouton May 20, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have no idea how the authors found this data but I'm so happy they did. Exceptionally well written to put these heroes into the light! I'm looking forward to their next book/revelation of hidden stories about real heroes and selfless patriots.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

As a Submariner and Reactor Operator I found this book FACINATING

ByAmazon Customeron March 21, 2015

Verified Purchase

As a qualified Submariner and Submarine Reactor Operator during the Cold War, I was/am fascinated by Blind Mans Bluff. As an Enlisted Man, I had no idea about all the things that were being done by Our Amazing Submarine service. All of our activities were top secret, that I knew - BUT all of the things that were going on around me were totally unknown to me. I was/am a technical wizard but the overview of how this all fit into the world of the Cold War - for some reason it did not even occur to me. I am thankful to now, all these years later, have just a glimpse into the world of value for the USA we were creating. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - guess that sums it up.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Son of a submariner...read this about yesterday and think about Snowden and Ukraine today

ByJohn and Lynnon June 17, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I found the book interesting though not an easy read. A lot of details and names to keep track of. More of a documentary in parts, though good stories too. After reading A Tale of Two Subs, this seemed a bit more technical than story. But I was really interested when I found out my uncle was one of the divers involved in the wiretapping from the Halibut. My father was familiar with a number of the men listed in the book and confirmed some of the information. Based on my conversations with my father in the past and my uncle in the present, I think this book is an excellent read. I think it will effect readers opinions regarding Eric Snowden, NSA, and Russian actions in Ukraine, and current realities with the melting of the polar caps and the ensuing territorial claims and access.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

If you're like me and your dad STILL won't talk about missions ...

ByCasey Gustafsonon February 1, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is for anyone in a Navy family with relatives who served on submarines after WWII. If you're like me and your dad STILL won't talk about missions even 50 years after the fact, and you are dying to know what kinds of things Sub's did, then this book is for you. Who knows ? Maybe your family member's mission has already been documented in Blind Man's Bluff ? A good read - after you get past the first couple chapters.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A tool maker that was a unknowingly useful idiot learns how his career wasn't wasted after all.

ByJames E Derschon September 11, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

As one who built,tested and refined some of the "tools" utilized and depicted by the authors, it was refreshing to learn my career wasn't misspent after all.
I offered my son $50 to read the first chapter and then honestly tell me his time was wasted. Unable stop reading until he finished the entire book in record time. PS...I still have the $50 to boot.