Blind Man's Bluff

Rating:
Summary: An absolutely brilliant portrayal of what it was like
Review: For thirty years I kept my mouth shut about what we did and where we went. Finally, a book tells what we did and why we did it. Sherry and her collegues have done a superb job in handling a delicate and secretive subject. We were submariners. So were my friends.

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Summary: Intrigue and conspiracy satisfy even diehard Grassy Knollers
Review: Lots of behind-the-scenes insight and under-the-table discussions. No wonder the US Navy did not want this book published. Still, there's a lot of fluff here, truly ancient history and a grand portrayal of some old codgers who seem to want their story told(Dr. John Craven for example). Between the fluffs are some nuggets, some which might even be true. Looks more like the authors got some cooperative sources with highly classified information and tried to make a book out of it.

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Summary: This book is very hard to put down.
Review: In the early 1960's I rode the old diesel boats and later the nuclear "Boomers", never an "Attack Boat". I never realized what the "Attack Boats" were doing The chapter on the USS Scorpion was "OUTSTANDING".I need to read it again.I know I missed alot as I was reading so fast. It is remarkable that they were able to find the boat at all. This book is written so everyone can understand what is happening, but if you rode the "Boats" it will explain some of the things that were going on. Don't pass this book up!

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Summary: Wall Street Journal Review
Review: "[A] dramatic account of secret submarine operations from the beginning of the Cold War to the present day. [Blind Man's Bluff] is full of hair-raising stories of men in peril under the sea. Ms. Sontag and Mr. Drew have told a brilliant story." --John Lehman, fomer secretary of the Navy, Wall Street Journal

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Summary: US Navy Official Stance!
Review: PAO GUIDANCE INVOLVING RELEASE OF "BLIND MAN'S BLUFF" The recent publication of a new book on submarine operations titled "Blind Man's Bluff" has prompted release of the following message containing public affairs guidance for responding to any questions that might be directed at U.S. Navy personnel. Since the book was compiled from unofficial sources, the media may attempt to contact submariners (active,reserve,retired) for comment. The official Navy policy is "No Comment". As the guidance states, we do not discuss submarine operations in the interest of national security.

P 211801Z OCT 98 FM: CHINFO WASHINGTON DC//00// ACTION SECNAV WASHINGTON DC//PA// CNO WASHINGTON DC//N00/N09/N2/N3/N5/N8/N87/N00P// Subject: PUBLIC AFFAIRS GUIDANCE FOR UPCOMING RELEASE OF UNCLAS//05720// MSGID/GENADMIN/CHINFO WASHINGTON DC/OI-20// SUBJ/PUBLIC AFFAIRS GUIDANCE FOR UPCOMING RELEASE OF SUBMARINE OPERATIONS BOOK "BLIND MAN'S BLUFF"// RMKS/1. THIS MESSAGE PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON AN UPCOMING BOOK, "BLIND MAN'S BLUFF," THAT IS SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED THIS MONTH. THIS BOOK DETAILS VARIOUS ACCOUNTS OF SUBMARINE OPERATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DERIVED STRICTLY THROUGH UNOFFICIAL SOURCES AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 2. THE NAVY DOES NOT ENDORSE OR OFFICIALLY SUPPORT THIS BOOK. 3. PERSONNEL SHOULD BE REMINDED THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE TO EXISTING POLICIES PROHIBITING THE RELEASE OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, NOR TO THE POLICY OF NOT DISCUSSING SPECIFIC SUBMARINE OPERATIONS. NAVY OFFICIALS IN RECEIPT OF QUESTIONS CONCERNING SCENARIOS IN THE BOOK SHOULD STRICTLY ADHERE TO THIS GUIDANCE. 4. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT SHOULD BE USED IN RESPONSE TO QUERIES REGARDING THE SUBJECT OF THIS MESSAGE: QUOTE AS A MATTER OF POLICY, WE DO NOT DISCUSS SPECIFIC SUBMARINE OPERATIONS IN THE INTERESTS OF NATIONAL SECURITY. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG-STANDING POLICY USED TO MAINTAIN A 'MARGIN OF SUPERIORITY.' ANYTHING THAT COULD COMPROMISE, JEOPARDIZE OR LESSEN THAT 'MARGIN OF SUPERIORITY' IS SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED. THIS BOOK DOES NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, AND ANY ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN DERIVED STRICTLY THROUGH UNOFFICIAL SOURCES. COMMENTING OR CONFIRMING DETAILS ON SUBMARINE OPERATIONS DETAILED IN THIS BOOK AS A WHOLE WORK OR IN PARTS COULD BE DEEMED DETRIMENTAL TO NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS AND THEREFORE, THE NAVY DECLINES COMMENT ON THE PUBLICATION UNQUOTE. 5. THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS MAY BE ANTICIPATED AND THE RELATED ANSWERS ARE PROVIDED FOR USE AS NEEDED: Q1. IS THE NAVY AWARE OF THE RELEASE OF THE BOOK "BLIND MAN'S BLUFF?" A1. YES. Q2. IS THIS BOOK OFFICIALLY SUPPORTED BY THE U.S. NAVY? A2. THE NAVY DOES NOT ENDORSE OR OFFICIALLY SUPPORT THIS BOOK. Q3. ARE DETAILS IN THE BOOK FACT OR FICTION? A3. AS A MATTER OF POLICY, WE DO NOT DISCUSS SPECIFIC SUBMARINE OPERATIONS IN THE INTERESTS OF NATIONAL SECURITY. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG-STANDING POLICY USED TO MAINTAIN A 'MARGIN OF SUPERIORITY.' THIS BOOK DOES NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, AND ANY ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN DERIVED STRICTLY THROUGH UNOFFICIAL SOURCES. (IF AMPLIFICATION IS REQUESTED, PROVIDE INFORMATION IN, BUT GO NO FARTHER THAN, STATEMENT ABOVE.) Q4. ARE THE REVELATIONS IN THE BOOK ABOUT THE LOSS OF THE USS SCORPION MISHAP ACCURATE? A4. THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LOSS OF USS SCORPION CONDUCTED BY A COURT OF INQUIRY AFTER THE SINKING CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT ANY ONE DEFINITIVE THEORY REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE SINKING. Q5. CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY DETAILS CONCERNING THE RAISING OF THE SUNKEN SOVIET SUBMARINE K-129 BY THE GLOMAR EXPLORER, ALSO KNOWN AS THE JENNIFER PROJECT? A5. WE DO NOT DISCUSS SPECIFIC OPERATIONS IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY. 6. REQUESTS FOR OFFICIAL DEPT OF THE NAVY COMMENT BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THIS PAG SHOULD BE REFERRED TO CHINFO, LT BOB MEHAL, AT (COMM) 703-697-5342, (DSN) 227-5342. RELEASED BY RADM TOM JURKOWSKY.// BT

Rating:
Summary: Good research ruined by dreadful writing.
Review: A very promising book goes south quickly with its overly dramatic, breathless reporting. I felt as if I was reading the National Enquirer. The subject matter almost overcomes the writing, but because it's so bad the whole book loses credibility. I would almost say the writers didn't have the confidence in their material to let it stand on its own.

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Summary: The Very Best Spy Sub Book This Decade !!!!!
Review: Blind Man's Bluff is by far the most outstanding.. most exciting..and most accurate thriller I have ever read about the U.S. Submarine Force. As a veteran of our Silent Service, and one who was in- volved in similar "special ops" while serving on two "boats" during the Cold War, Blind Man's Bluff recalled many memories of tirelessly tracking Soviet subs and surface vessels during numerous patrols in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The book is a riveting account of the under the sea, deadly game of hide-and-seek, the extended and distant top secret operations of our submarines, and the proud American sailors who face daily perils to keep the peace throughout the world. Sontag and Drew's attention to minute details and writing style is superior! Blind Man's Bluff is a "must read" for those fascinated by U.S. sea power, the Cold War and American espionage beneath the waves, or for anyone who enjoys a rare good read. Highly recommend Blind Man's Bluff !

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Summary: I never realized that submarines could be so interesting.
Review: I'm probably the last person in the world who would read a Tom Clancy novel, but I found Blind Man's Bluff to be fascinating. I picked the book up at a friend's house and couldn't put it down. This is a work of non-fiction that reads like a great thriller. It's that good.

Authors Sontag and Drew have assembled volumes of information about the undersea espionage antics of the Cold War. Even if it weren't such an exciting read, this book would have tremendous value as a research piece.

Most important, Blind Man's Bluff gives us significant insights into some of our government's most secret activities during the second half of this century. The book includes information that every American should know about Cold War intelligence and espionage operations.

Rating:
Summary: A Thrilling and Most Informative History Book!
Review: If you want to go beyond the fiction of Tom Clancy and gain an understanding of the sacrifices made by U.S. Submariners during the Cold War, get this book. Your appreciation of our veterans and current service men and women will grow from this book. The whole book is just a great read. It is the right size for a business trip and I'm sure it will end up as Holiday present to many. (I only hope there is a sequel!)

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Research
Review: As an individual named in Blind Man's Bluff as a contributor to the book titlle from a line in songs I wrote about the U.S. Submarine Service, who lived the experience of sixteen missions (1967-78), and who is still bound by security constraints, I will say I am totally impressed with the information these authors were able to glean through the Freedom of Information Act and through the interview process. As I was equally impressed with the technical information presented in Clancy's Hunt for Red October. One positive result of Blind Man's Bluff could be to show the American people they always got their money's worth from the Submarine Service. God bless all U.S. submariners for their personal sacrifices and contributions to national security, past, present, and future. It is an honor to have served with you. Respectfully, Tommy Cox