Rating: 
Summary: the bravest skipper remembered
Review: "It's a big ocean," Dick O'Kane once told me. "You don't have to find the enemy if you don't want to."O'Kane was 60 when we met. He was a compact man, straight as a ramrod, with a small smile and bushy eyebrows. He loved to talk, especially on technical matters, but he seldom spoke about what it was like to be a submariner in the Pacific, in a war that claimed the lives of 22% of the Americans who went to sea in the pig boats, as submarines were called. It was a pleasure to meet him again in "The Bravest Man" and to learn more about his remarkable accomplishments in World War II. That a submariner need not find the enemy was brought home to O'Kane in 1942 on his first patrol in Wahoo, under an older captain who had learned caution in the peacetime Navy. The cautious skipper was replaced by Dudley "Mush" Morton, who with O'Kane's support made Wahoo the deadliest American boat in the Pacific, sinking nine ships on one ferocious patrol through the Yellow Sea, between China and Korea. "You can't afford to flinch," Morton said; "you can't afford to give up. You must constantly keep 'rassling, and keep shooting till you destroy him." Wahoo was later lost with all hands, not including O'Kane, who by then -- the fall of 1943 -- had command of Tang. He soon proved that he too had a great desire to keep 'rassling and to sink Japanese ships, despite the second-rate torpedoes supplied to American submarines. On its first patrol, Tang sank five ships; on its second, it rescued 22 American airmen, shot down in the battle for Truk at the center of the Pacific's Caroline Islands. On its fourth patrol, it set a U.S. record by sending 10 enemy ships to the bottom, despite new torpedoes that were sometimes as balky as the old. As a skipper, Richard O'Kane was audacious, persistent and inventive. He was willing to go up against the shore, if that's where the enemy was to be found. Yet he always had an escape route in mind -- and he took care of his people. Sailors clamored to join Tang, despite its record of going in harm's way. Alas, having a good captain is never enough. On Tang's fifth patrol, the odds caught up with O'Kane, and he had the unhappy experience of watching his 24th and last torpedo circle back to explode on the boat's stern. The men on the bridge were thrown into the water, but their troubles were scarcely over. It was the middle of the night, and they had no flotation gear. When morning came, 9 of the 87 crewmen were still alive, including some who had made the first-ever escape from a submarine sunk in combat. They were picked up by a Japanese destroyer, whose captain treated them decently but delivered them to starvation, torture and slave labor at Yokohama. Like aviators, submariners were classified as "special prisoners of Japan," imprisoned in the foulest camps with their existence unreported to the International Red Cross. Again O'Kane survived the impossible, to be reunited with his family and to receive the Medal of Honor from the hand of President Harry Truman. The author of "The Bravest Man" is himself a U.S. Navy veteran, who in 1968 won the Pulitzer as a reporter in Vietnam. Mr. Tuohy takes a curious approach to his story, first writing about Wahoo, then O'Kane's earlier life, and finally Tang and later events, interrupted by chapters on what the rest of the American sub pack was doing. This can sometimes be confusing. And the line-editing in the book is sometimes careless. But "The Bravest Man" is well worth reading, especially in a year when the USS O'Kane is on watch in the Arabian Sea, carrying the bravest man's name and legacy into the 21st century.
Rating:
Summary: A darn fine book
Review: (...)this is one fine book. This book contains facts not covered in the other books I have found. Sure it covers the great history of U.S. submarines. But it also covers what went on behind the actions. It also uncovers some of the gross blunders made. If you are into WW II submare history this is one book to have. It is also backed up by those that have been there and done that. That is in addition to the usual history found in the archives. Unfortunatly this book is probably the last of it's kind.
Rating:
Summary: A darn fine book
Review: (...)this is one fine book. This book contains facts not covered in the other books I have found. Sure it covers the great history of U.S. submarines. But it also covers what went on behind the actions. It also uncovers some of the gross blunders made. If you are into WW II submare history this is one book to have. It is also backed up by those that have been there and done that. That is in addition to the usual history found in the archives. Unfortunatly this book is probably the last of it's kind.
Rating: 
Summary: "This Shows What Really Makes A Hero"
Review: An excellent presentation by Mr. Tuohy on all aspects of the submarine war in the Pacific, focusing on Dick O'Kane. All the people involved were brought to life, their courage, fears and worries all on display. Many of the combat scenes were well written, showing how hunting Japanese ships could turn into an all-day affair, and the frusrtation at times when torpedoes miss or malfuction. You felt the fear and the jolts of depth charge attacks, always wondering if the next one would have your name on it. I also liked how Tuohy highlighted all the problems that plagued the sub service, from malfunctioning torpedoes to inept and vain commanders, to sub skippers having to be relieved because they crack under pressure. Dick O'Kane was not superman. He was just a dedicated guy who took his job seriously and did whatever it took to hurt the Japanese. It was also something to see how innovative O'Kane and his ilk were. When you're all alone in the middle of hostile territory, you gotta do what you can in order to survive. All in all, a great testament to the men who sacrificed so much so we can enjoy our freedom today.
Rating:
Summary: "This Shows What Really Makes A Hero"
Review: An excellent presentation by Mr. Tuohy on all aspects of the submarine war in the Pacific, focusing on Dick O'Kane. All the people involved were brought to life, their courage, fears and worries all on display. Many of the combat scenes were well written, showing how hunting Japanese ships could turn into an all-day affair, and the frusrtation at times when torpedoes miss or malfuction. You felt the fear and the jolts of depth charge attacks, always wondering if the next one would have your name on it. I also liked how Tuohy highlighted all the problems that plagued the sub service, from malfunctioning torpedoes to inept and vain commanders, to sub skippers having to be relieved because they crack under pressure. Dick O'Kane was not superman. He was just a dedicated guy who took his job seriously and did whatever it took to hurt the Japanese. It was also something to see how innovative O'Kane and his ilk were. When you're all alone in the middle of hostile territory, you gotta do what you can in order to survive. All in all, a great testament to the men who sacrificed so much so we can enjoy our freedom today.
Rating:
Summary: Submariners of World War 2...a look at the mind of some
Review: At first look I was hoping this would be the book that would answer some questions...It did do that but being my appetite was whetted I wanted more. I found myself asking questions about Cmdr Morton, O'Kane and others. What was their life like before WW2. Some questions were answered but there are holes. As for Mr Tuohy's book it did give the reader a real look at this duo. These two men were feared and respected for their toughness. I would like to see more books like this that cover the different schools of thought in WW2 submarine warfare. It is a great book and it does shed light...I just want more, with the pasing of Forest Sterling, may he rest with his Wahoo comrades in peace, we are losing valuable pieces to a great puzzle of World War 2 and in Mush's memory and Rear Admiral O Kane
Enjoy this book but be warned youll want to read more!
Rating:
Summary: The Bravest Man!
Review: I have read the books on the Wahoo, and the Tang. I saw this book on Amazon.com, & knew I had to have it. This book is Great! There are things in this book that are not covered in the others. Not only was the exploits of O'Kane in submarines great, his leadership when he was a prisoner of the Japanese shows what kind of man he really was. I could not put this book down. The only reason it took 3 days to read was because I had to go to work during those days! The author does give you some timelines along with what O'Kane wss doing with his boats. You can follow along during the war for the whole book. This is a must read book if you read about submarines PERIOD!
Rating: 
Summary: American Hero
Review: Richard O'Kane, for his World War II efforts in submarines, was given America's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. It was men such as he, in the air, on the sea, and under the sea, that really epitomized what America stood for.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific
Review: The first 4 reviews have got it right! It's not a novel but the story is still humbling.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific
Review: The first 4 reviews have got it right! It's not a novel but the story is still humbling.
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