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Summary: Tragedy and triumph
Review: The recent Kursk submarine disaster led me to read this book since it concerned another sub that sank unexpectedly below the surface of the sea. I knew nothing about this historical situation, other than there was a happy outcome, and I was interested in learning how the trapped men were rescued. The tale is extremely interesting, and even though there were parts of the technical explanation that went quite a bit over my head, I found the work fascinating. The sheer determination of Swede Momsen in developing sub rescue devices, in the face of the oppostion of the Navy brass, is uplifting. He was a true American hero, and should be much more widely known than he is today. Hopefully this book will rectify that situation.
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Summary: Could not put it down.
Review: The real drama of men trapped deep in the ocean. The story of the man with vision, perserverance and compassion leading many in the heroic efforts to save them.
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Summary: A Great Summer Read
Review: This is a well-written and researched book that keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat. It's only flaw is that the author did not include any pictures or diagrams in the book, so that it is bit hard to understand what the various rescue ships, people and (most importantly) technology looks like, as well as where the various compartments of the sub are. Overall, an excellent summer read!
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Summary: It's Lost At Sea !
Review: I learned of "TTH" in a news report on the recent sinking of a Russian sub in the Barents Sea. I am sure many Amazon types did the same. Maas' story story is actually 2 or 3 tales in 1. The principal character is Admiral Charles "Swede" Momson, who directed the rescue of the "Squalus", which went down off Portsmouth, NH in the summer of '39 with a crew of 59. However, "TTH" also covers Momsen's notable Naval career before and after the rescue attempt, Further entwined are episodes of other sub disasters and various Naval engagements- with lots (! ) of technical and often tedious explanations of underwater diving equipment, history and procedures. Since Momsen was an innovator and no "yes" man, the reader is further treated to stories of his battles with the hidebound Navy bureaucracy. This results in too much for a mere civilian landlubber to easily digest. The valient efforts to save the crew of the "Squalus" are almost amongst the verbiage. "TTH" suffers from 3 MAJOR (!) deficiencies: 1) As in so many books, there are no MAPS. Why do so many editors persist in withholding them? 2) There is no glossary of naval terms. Even veterans of other branches may not understand navy jargon. 3) There are no diagrams of the "Squalus'" interior. Where was the control room, torpedo bays etc? The fault may lie with the editor and not Mr. Maas, but the non naval vet, non- naval architecht may find him/herself "at sea" during much of the journey through the book. Browsers please note: I didn't reveal the ending. Hardcore navy buffs and naval architects may safely ignore this review and buy "TTH" right away. Others should think twice. Sad but true.
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Summary: How the dedication of one man made a difference
Review: This book was a timely work to read given the incident with the Kursk and the loss of her crew. It's an account of a sub accident that took place off the coast of NH in May of 1939. While some of the crew was lost immediately during the sinking, 33 of men where saved due largley to the work and dedication of Swede Momsen. Momsen had spent 14 years perfecting the equipment and techniques needed for deep sea diving and sub rescue work. I could not put this book down, I started it one morning and finished it that same night.
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Summary: A Celebration of Heroism
Review: It is indeed thrilling to read an account of such courage and determination. Momson's integrity is a theme that Maas uses throughout the story. The reader knows that even at the most perilous points, Swede remains calm and makes the right decisions. With the Kursk tragedy still fresh on the front pages, I read this book along with the blunders made by the Russian navy and their government. I am so proud that our country has had the technology to save men from these"pigboats" for 60 years. Finally, the hour by hour rescue attempt and the week by week salvage attempt to save the Squalus gave me an idea of once again how the "Greatest Generation" brought us to where we are today as a nation. The only fault with the book,as others have said, was the lack of drawings and photographs.
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Summary: The Terrible Chapters
Review: The story of the USS Squalus, her crew, and her rescuers is one that deservedly needs to be told. It, like the saga of Apollo 13, demonstrates how the direst situations can bring out the very best in us. Unfortunatly, this book, though well meaning I'm sure, tells the tale in a manner so irritating that making it to the last page is an heroic achievement in itself. For reasons unknown, Mr. Mass has chosen to write this book in the form of a narrative, rather than as straight, documented history. The result reads like a poor novelization of an even poorer made-for-TV movie, "based on a true story". We are presented with the assumed thoughts and emotions of the trapped crew, and page after page of clearly invented (and often, exceedingly lame) dialog. It is too easy to see the brave square jaws of the officers, exhorting the crew to be strong in their plight. An abrupt shift away from the sub, just as the disaster strikes, to a biographical background of Swede Momsen, reeks of prime-time suspense. It would be all too easy to insert a beer commercial at this point. The conception of Momsen's diving bell is covered in a single paragraph, almost as if he had come up with the idea while snoozing on the back porch one lazy afternoon. The development of the Momsen lung is omitted altogether, despite the Squalus crew having had some aboard. All we are told of their use is that you have to "hang on to the ascent line". The Momsen lung was a significant invention, predating Cousteau's Aqualung, and deserves much more clarification. A book of this type cries out for illustration. A cutaway view of the submarine is essential, as well as photographs of the sub and the significant personages. A recent newspaper review contained a wonderful photo of the diving bell - didn't Maas encounter it in his researches? Anyone with a true interest in naval history will be deeply disappointed by this book, and ought not to risk spending the same "terrible hours" that I did with it.
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Summary: The story of how one man can make a difference.
Review: Being intombed on a disabled submarine, with your air slowly becoming more and more poisonous with each breath you exhale, has to be one of the most frighting ways to die imaginable. Recent events aboard the Russian sub Kursk have brought to life a largely forgotten similar story of the USS Squalus in May of 1939. The story of the Squalus which has a somewhat a happier ending is detaled in this stunnig and compelling book by Peter Maas."The Terrble hours" is a detailed account of Charles Memsen a dedicated submariner who could only stand by helplessly when a sub was disabled years earlier codeming all aboard to a slow death. Memsen, moved by the experience devised plans as well as the equipment to rescue submariners trapped under water all the while having to also fight the navy buracracy."The Terrible Hours" is a well written true story how one brave individual can make a difference. This story could also make a great movie. Some pictures and or drawings to help the reader understand the layout of the Squalus as well as the equipment used in the rescue would have been helpful but otherwise this is an excellent book highly recomended
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Summary: Ironic - Kursk loss as story engrosses
Review: I started reading this book August 12, 2000 whilst on a scuba diving trip, two days before the Russians announced their submarine Kursk was lost. Before I heard the news I was already totally engrossed in the information Peter Maas provided. The story of the Squalus and Momsen was inspiring and thought provoking. After the Russian announcement I rapidly read The Terrible Hours to absorbed all the information I could about the Squalus'incredible rescue. It gave me insight into what could be happening at the bottom of the Barents Sea. My thoughts are with the Russian families who wait for news. The book teaches you so much. You realize the incredible odds of finding anyone alive. The new loss brings 1939 to present day. Peter Maas' book is hard to put down even if this recent loss had not occurred. As a scuba diving instructor the information in the book was both a revelation as well as informative. This book is well worth the reading.
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Summary: Horrifyingly wonderful
Review: The Terrible Hours enthralls from the beginning. I find Charles Momsen's story to be one of a true hero, perserving because he knew it could be done, and because it had to be done. Peter Maas narrative kept the pages turning and transported me both back in time and to the depths of the Atlantic. I was glad my flight was delayed for 2 hours, so I could keep reading! A great story.
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