Looking for a WWII era Sub book that...

[Camaero]

Talks about not only what happened on the boat, but also gives a fair description about life back in port. Not enough books touch on this part and I happen to be intersted in it. What did the captain did in port, on leave, etc.. Anyone have any good recommendations?

[Platapus]

Wake of the Wahoo is a book that delves more in to the interpersonal aspects of WWII sub life. There is a little bit about shore activities.

Might be worth checking out.

[Sailor Steve]

Funny thing, I can't think of any offhand. For surface ship crew activities in port, The Cruel Sea and The Caine Mutiny both have lengthy descriptions of refits and upgrades, bookkeeping and leave, but I'm drawing a blank on sub books.

[Camaero]

Cool deal. I ordered it from www.submarinebooks.com

For anyone else interested you can get a new one here:http://www.submarinebooks.com/Wahoo.htm

And a used one here:http://www.submarinebooks.com/PBWakeWahoo.htm

[Heibges]

Let's not forget "Mister Roberts."

Although it's not a sub book either.

[Camaero]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Wake of the Wahoo is a book that delves more in to the interpersonal aspects of WWII sub life. There is a little bit about shore activities.

Might be worth checking out.

I am really enjoying Wake of the Wahoo right now. Thanks for the suggestion!

Maybe The Cruel Sea will be next on my list.

[AirborneTD]

US Subs Down Under (Brisbane 1942-1945) goes into some detail regarding this.
It is by Jones and Nunan.

I also concur with Wake of the Wahoo. Great book.

[Dowly]

Iron Coffins

[Camaero]

I have two more questions. First, is it ok to read Dust on the Sea before Run Silent Run Deep?

Also, what do you think about Thunder Below about the USS Barb?

I really need to get Iron Coffins too! I could spend days caught up in these great stories if only time would allow damnit. When I was reading Wake of Wahoo I would be at school and there would be all kinds of chaos around me but I would completely forget where I was at and just be riding along the Japanese coast with the crew.

[AntEater]

Dust on the sea is a classical sequel. It starts about two weeks after "RSRD" (I just love the american acronym fetish) ends.
There's differences in the narrative technique as RSRD is first person while DOTS is "kind of" third person, but with Richardson being the narrator 90% of the time anyway.
Personally I liked dust on the sea better, since there, most of the action is concentrated on a single war patrol, while RSRD spans a time from just before Pearl Harbor to late 1944.
Also, DOTS is written in the 1970s, where Beach could reveal a lot which was still classified by the time he wrote the first, like Ultra or details about approach technique or radar and radio performance.
I ordered his third "cold is the sea" as well, but since it is being delivered from the US, I suppose it will take some time.
In that one, a much older Richardson takes command of one of the first SSBNs in the 1960s.

[Camaero]

Interesting, I didn't realize Cold is the Sea was the third book in the series. I guess I better just read them in order then!

[AirborneTD]

Originally Posted by Camaero

I have two more questions. First, is it ok to read Dust on the Sea before Run Silent Run Deep?

Also, what do you think about Thunder Below about the USS Barb?

I really need to get Iron Coffins too! I could spend days caught up in these great stories if only time would allow damnit. When I was reading Wake of Wahoo I would be at school and there would be all kinds of chaos around me but I would completely forget where I was at and just be riding along the Japanese coast with the crew.

I read DOTS first before seeing RSRD-(haven't read it but no problems). I'm currently reading Thunder Below--excellent book--highly recommended.

I've also read Iron Coffins--good also.