[Abraham]

I wonder what is the better submarine book.
'Run Silent, Run Deep', written by a former US Sub captain with a terrific career (Edward L. Beach) about the sub war on a Gato in the Pacific.
'Das Boot', written by a Kriegsmarine 'journalist' (Lothar-Günther Buchheim) about daily live - it's sometimes just a diary - on a VII C in the Atlantic.
or

Both are novels, but bases on true stories.
Personally I prefer 'Run Silent, Run Deep'. I don't mind the love story, I find the book very easy to read and the different attack plots well described and interesting. Almost all aspects of the sub war in the Pacific are dealt with, inexperienced crews in the beginning, faulty torpedoes, sub modifications, crew changes, convoy attacks, AS warfare, life saving missions..... You can actually learn tactics from the book. After reading the book you've got a good impression of the sub war in the Pacific.
'Das Boot' (probably) gives a very realistic but cynical view on live in an U Boot in 1943. I find the book interesting but difficult to swallow. It is really the description of just one patrol by an 'outsider'. Very 'human interest'. I don't like the end that much, just as in the movie I think it is made to be 'political correct'. Still, very interesting.....

But what do you think? :hmm:

P.S. I'm not gonna ask: 'What is the better movie?'

[Hitman]

Run Silent, Run Deep is the film with Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster?

[Bruno Lotse]

Can't say much as I did not read 'Run silent, run deep'.

To my knowledge developments in Das Boot are attributed to November-December 1941. The ending might be considered as the death of 'the old guard' of the German Submariners. In that year they lost Prien, Schepke,Endrass,Kell,Köster,Kretschmer(POW). The tide was turning. No more 'happy time', hence no more 'happy ending'. So, it looks to me appropriate and symbolic. Out of 40000 in service 30000 never returned.
Das Boot movie is in another league in comparison with any other sub flick.

[Abraham]

I think you're right, Bruno. End of 1941....
But you should really order 'Run Silent, Run Deep' by Commander Edward L. Beach, who fought in the Pacific as an XO and Captain, who sailed around the world in the SSN Triton and who was the Naval Advisor of President David D. Eisenhower. He died in 2003.
The book is a novel compiled of operational reports of the subs in the Pacific. Very readable.....

[Abraham]

[nikimcbee]

I listened to the unabridged book-on-tape Run silent, Run Deep. It is a very good story. I also have Buchheim's "U-boat War", his actual experience on the U-96. Both wonderful books.

[Mike 'Red Ocktober' Hense]

those books on tape... can you get the audio files for playback?

i mean, seeing as i have no time at all to read as much as id like, it would be great to have em playing in the background as i worked on the computer...

.. i already listen to the news online, this would indeed be much better

--Mike

[Abraham]

[Sailor Steve]

I've never read either one, so no vote from me this time. Sorry.

[Abraham]

Steve, you should get 'Run Silent, Run Deep'. I know you'll love it. This is what sub war in the Pacific was all about.....

[Letum]

Anyone read IRON COFFINS ? or Diary of a U-boat

[Kiwi Zero Six]

I'm reading Das Boot (Das Book?) at the moment. It's my toilet book. That's not a degrading statement BTW. It's a very good book.

[Bertgang]

Best books: "Das boot" and "sharks and litlle fishes"

Worst book: "wolfpack", strangely a novel about war in pacific; three US subs and their captains starting together for a "german style" patrol; really badly written.

[Kaleun]

[Bungo_Pete]

I'll go with 'dust on the sea"...bungo pete lives!