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Thunder Below!
- The USS Barb Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II
- Narrated by: Corey Snow
- Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins
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Summary
The thunderous roar of exploding depth charges was a familiar and comforting sound to the crew members of the USS Barb, who frequently found themselves somewhere between enemy fire and Davy Jones's locker. Under the leadership of her fearless skipper, Captain Gene Fluckey, the Barb sank the greatest tonnage of any American sub in World War II. At the same time, the Barb did far more than merely sink ships-she changed forever the way submarines stalk and kill their prey.
This is a gripping adventure chock-full of "you-are-there" moments. Fluckey has drawn on logs, reports, letters, interviews, and a recently discovered illegal diary kept by one of his torpedomen. And in a fascinating twist, he uses archival documents from the Japanese Navy to give its version of events. The unique story of the Barb begins with its men, who had the confidence to become unbeatable. Each team helped develop innovative ideas, new tactics, and new strategies. All strove for personal excellence, and success became contagious. Instead of lying in wait under the waves, the USS Barb pursued enemy ships on the surface, attacking in the swift and precise style of torpedo boats. She was the first sub to use rocket missiles and to creep up on enemy convoys at night, joining the flank escort line from astern, darting in and out as she sank ships up the column. Surface-cruising, diving only to escape, "Luckey Fluckey" relentlessly patrolled the Pacific, driving his boat and crew to their limits. There can be no greater contrast to modern warfare's long-distance, video game style of battle than the exploits of the captain and crew of the USS Barb, where the sub, out of ammunition, actually rammed an enemy ship until it sank. Thunder Below! is a first-rate, true-life, inspirational story of the courage and heroism of ordinary men under fire.
Critic reviews
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- Mr. M. Fogerty
- 12-12-17
Lucky Fluckey strikes again
I've read the physical book several times over the years, it's one of my favourite personal accounts of WW2. I thought I'd give the audiobook a shot after hearing Corey Snow's narration on Final Harbour a WW2 sub novel. I wasn't disappointed, he breathes character and life into a factual account just as he did into fiction.
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- Craig
- 10-12-13
Brilliant.
What did you like most about Thunder Below!?
Right from the first chapter you are kept riveted by this incredible journey into the life of a WW2 Submarine Commander.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Thunder Below!?
When Eugene Fluckey takes you to the point where they have to rescue the Australian and British troops on board Japanese ships that had just been torpedoed. Its a dramatic and incredible rescue, testament to the determination of the troops to help each other stay alive for as long as possible in order to be saved. Its also incredible just how far Eugene and his men strived to rescue them. A wonderful moment that lives in Fluckey's memory.
Have you listened to any of Corey Snow’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Corey Snow gets right into the naritive. At some points you can believe that this is the voice of Eugene Fluckey, he brings the Commander and his Submarine alive.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
When the submariners start to pull the survivors aboard their Sub and Eugene says he shed tears as they thanked him. The description of the survivor's alone moves the listener.
Any additional comments?
A first class listen. Every chapter a story in its own right.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 23-05-24
Amazing
What an account, what a story. Really well written and narrated. Will be listening to this again
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- Mr Maurice A. Henry
- 13-03-22
An amazing story of leadership in WW2
Some of the examples of how to lead and build a team in this biography are amazing. We don't have problems only solutions!
Great tales of courage, tactics and bravery in the world of submarine warfare during the War in the Pacific
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- Paul C.
- 28-09-21
Don't miss this wonderful book
Absolutely fantastic book.
What a legend, the Sub, Captain and Crew.
Should make a TV Series.
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- T. Fulford
- 19-08-20
as an ex submariner would say.......
Im not an ex submariner but my grandfather was and aI worked with one..... both these guys were the most unassuming and quiet, gentle, tolerant people I have ever known, they don't boast, they just do their job to the very best of their ability, this book sums that up for me, dealing with difficult situations knowing what they are doing doing it well and when they can help actually helping. Great book and read well enjoyed every minute of it.
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- Robert
- 11-09-21
Outstanding
One of the best autobiographical audio books I have ever listened to. I am now going to struggle to find another listen to match it.
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- Kindle Customer
- 18-11-21
Incredible stories by a captivating author
A captivating recollection of the incredible adventures of the Barb and her crew. I struggled to get into it at first due to the somewhat dry narration, but I warmed to it after a few chapters. It also took some time getting used to the naval terminology - the author assumes a basic understanding of submarine operation from the listener. But for submarine enthusiasts, this is an absolute joy to listen to!
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- Mark
- 22-10-15
Exactly How It Should Be Done
Would you listen to Thunder Below! again? Why?
Yes- there is much factual and operational detail which is impossible to remember given the pace of the book, I would like to revisit it to get a fuller understanding of how warfare was conducted in this arena
What other book might you compare Thunder Below! to, and why?
Anything Patrick O'Brien, on the grounds of the realism (in this case non- fictional) and the descriptive quality.
Have you listened to any of Corey Snow’s other performances? How does this one compare?
no I haven't
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
there a re more than a few tense moments as you would expect, I laughed a few times and as saddened and touched by the way that war ruins families as described in the dancing with skeletons part. (no spoiler)
Any additional comments?
I don't review many so that should be testament enough. this is a great listen and the fact that it's "from the horses mouth" underpins it's core. I don't know many that had a "good war" and it must have been hell to have lived with the constant fear of death in the icy depths, given the goals for achievement stated by the author I think he had the right idea.
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- j
- 09-11-20
2nd listen still a great listen
excellent.why the Americans made up the u571 film when they had this "unbelievable" real story they could have turned into an awesome film
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