Rating: 
Summary: Incredible near future sub thriller.
Review: I bought this book based on the recommendations on Amazon, and I was NOT disappointed. This book really delivers the goods when it comes to action, tension, plot, and characterization. The tac nukes fly with frightening regularity. Buff manages to deliver a vision of near future warfare unlike any I have read, and let me tell you it is a scary one. By no means is this a low intensity regional conflict or a "limited war". This is about as all out as you can get without the ICBM's flying. I was really impressed with Buff's writing and with the story. The characters were 3 dimensional and had believable motivation. I liken Mr. Buff's effort to Stephen Hunter's work, albeit in a bit of a different genre. Like Hunter, Buff takes pains to deliver detailed technical information without slowing down the story, and writes a tight action packed story. I certainly look forward to reading Buff's next book, and I am pleased with finding another author I like.
Rating:
Summary: Starts off with a bang - literally!
Review: I bought this book on a whim and I'm glad I did! Joe Buff's (is that his real name?) writing is exciting and intense. The combat action is very descriptive and he charts some new ground with his use of tactical nuclear weapons. The only complaint I have is that he really doesn't delve into how the German/South African alliance came about or the overall geo-political situation in his world. Hopefully, the next book will provide some more background information. Overall, a quick, exciting read. Great for vacation or long flight.
Rating:
Summary: UNBELIEVABLE
Review: I couldn't put it down. It's one of those books you don't want to end. I can't wait for the next one. It's hard to believe this is Joe Buff's first novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Beyond Fantasy
Review: I enjoyed the book, probably because I'm a sucker for anything to do with submarines. It's nicely paced and reasonably exciting, but not without its flaws. In an effort to educate the reader on some technical subjects, Buff routinely has his XO explain in detail to the CO certain technicalities that one would hope the Captain already knows. This undermines the reader's faith in the Capitan of the boat by making him seem like a buffoon. I also did not like the part about the robotic dolphins--they seemed too fanciful to be a SEAL-delivery platform. The introduction and epilouge feel tacked-on. The book could benefit from a *meaningful* prolouge and epilouge. It would be nice to know what chain of events led to the putsch, the creation of the Berlin-Boer axis, and why the US was involved in this war in Africa. It would also be nice to know how the Challenger's mission changed the war in an epilouge--rather than the hollow shore-leave scene we're left with. These complaints aside, the book is a fun read, and the technical details interesting; but probably does not have the read-again-and-again quality that Clancy's early work had.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent read; fans of the genre will enjoy.
Review: I enjoyed the book, probably because I'm a sucker for anything to do with submarines. It's nicely paced and reasonably exciting, but not without its flaws. In an effort to educate the reader on some technical subjects, Buff routinely has his XO explain in detail to the CO certain technicalities that one would hope the Captain already knows. This undermines the reader's faith in the Capitan of the boat by making him seem like a buffoon. I also did not like the part about the robotic dolphins--they seemed too fanciful to be a SEAL-delivery platform. The introduction and epilouge feel tacked-on. The book could benefit from a *meaningful* prolouge and epilouge. It would be nice to know what chain of events led to the putsch, the creation of the Berlin-Boer axis, and why the US was involved in this war in Africa. It would also be nice to know how the Challenger's mission changed the war in an epilouge--rather than the hollow shore-leave scene we're left with. These complaints aside, the book is a fun read, and the technical details interesting; but probably does not have the read-again-and-again quality that Clancy's early work had.
Rating:
Summary: First Clancy -- then DiMercurio...NOW it's Joe Buff
Review: I got my first glimpse into the facinating world of submarines (at least my first serious one) when I read Clancy's 'Hunt For Red October' back in the late 80's. I have been interested in sub novels ever since. The main problem is there are only a small number of good sub authors in print today. When I discovered Michael DiMercurio I found exactly what I was looking for. But again, these good authors can't produce a new novel as often as I finish them, therefore I kept looking. FINALLY!! I came across 'Joe Buff' and his amazing first novel, "Deep Sound Channel" and I am hooked all over again. The near-future war between the Allies & the (new) Axis is a terribly frightening one...one in which nuclear weapons ARE being used -- too frequently. The USS Challenger is a ceramic-hulled Virginia Class SSN that is the next generation of super-quiet subs that can deliver incredible blows to the enemy. I found the main storyline quite interesting: Infiltrate an enemy biological weapons facility and turn it into nuclear dust, otherwise the outcome of the war just may turn in unwanted directions. The greatest strength that Buff has is his ability to make us feel like we are RIGHT THERE in the midst of the action in the CACC of the Challenger...sweating right along with the crew. Even coming upon the wreck of other subs can be hair raising. Joe Buff has quickly become one of the shining stars in the field of the submarine techno-thriller right along DiMercurio and Clancy (although Tom hasn't done an all-out sub novel since Red October). If you enjoy a thrilling time inside the walls of a nuclear submarine, give yourself a gift and buy Joe Buff's books (also including: 'Thunder In The Deep' & 'Crush Depth') and sit back and relax (as best you can) and allow the theater of your mind to play out the tremendously fun adventure set within the pages of his books. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: First Clancy -- then DiMercurio...NOW it's Joe Buff
Review: I got my first glimpse into the facinating world of submarines (at least my first serious one) when I read Clancy's 'Hunt For Red October' back in the late 80's. I have been interested in sub novels ever since. The main problem is there are only a small number of good sub authors in print today. When I discovered Michael DiMercurio I found exactly what I was looking for. But again, these good authors can't produce a new novel as often as I finish them, therefore I kept looking. FINALLY!! I came across 'Joe Buff' and his amazing first novel, "Deep Sound Channel" and I am hooked all over again. The near-future war between the Allies & the (new) Axis is a terribly frightening one...one in which nuclear weapons ARE being used -- too frequently. The USS Challenger is a ceramic-hulled Virginia Class SSN that is the next generation of super-quiet subs that can deliver incredible blows to the enemy. I found the main storyline quite interesting: Infiltrate an enemy biological weapons facility and turn it into nuclear dust, otherwise the outcome of the war just may turn in unwanted directions. The greatest strength that Buff has is his ability to make us feel like we are RIGHT THERE in the midst of the action in the CACC of the Challenger...sweating right along with the crew. Even coming upon the wreck of other subs can be hair raising. Joe Buff has quickly become one of the shining stars in the field of the submarine techno-thriller right along DiMercurio and Clancy (although Tom hasn't done an all-out sub novel since Red October). If you enjoy a thrilling time inside the walls of a nuclear submarine, give yourself a gift and buy Joe Buff's books (also including: 'Thunder In The Deep' & 'Crush Depth') and sit back and relax (as best you can) and allow the theater of your mind to play out the tremendously fun adventure set within the pages of his books. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Good read!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. The thought of a limited nuclear exchange type of war definitely gets one thinking. The overall flow of the book is good, and it held interest all the way through.
Rating:
Summary: Deep Sound Channel
Review: I started reading Deep Sound Channel with low expectations, but soon found myself caught up in the action. I couldn't believe it was a first novel, because it is so much better written than many books by seasoned authors. The characters are alive, and you care what happens to them. The suspense kept me turning pages long after I should have been back at work. The scope of the knowledge that went into writing this book is astounding. I'm recommending it to everyone I know. Keep writing, Joe!
Rating:
Summary: great reading
Review: I thouroughly enjoyed this book. An excellent mixture of high - tech and action (believable). The characters were also very real and the interaction between Ilse and Jeff very believable. Look forward to another effort by this author.
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