Kursk Down: The Shocking True Story of the Sinking of a Russian Nuclear Submarine

By Clyde Burleson and Clyde W. Burleson

Book Overview

On Saturday, August 12, 2000, the giant nuclear submarine Kursk, carrying a crew of 118, sank in the icy waters of the Barents Sea after what Russian officals described as a catastrophe. It took more than a week for divers to reach the vessel, where no survivors were found. Kursk Down is a vivid and in-depth look at the circumstances surrounding the deadly voyage, the disaster, and its aftermath. From the brave spirit of the crew to the desperate and valiant attempts by their comrades to mount a successful rescue, it reveals in haunting narrative the dangers lurking under the sea and the courageous men who challenged those deep waters.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446610720
• ISBN13: 9780446610728
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Great coverage of a tragic story

Mr Burleson covers everything relating to this tragic event. The book gives you a details glimpse of what really happened on the sub and how it must've felt to be there. He also goes behind the scenes to cover information on officials and family members and what they were going through. I have researched this tragedy since it happened, collecting news articles and press releases, and I conclude that this book is right on the money....plus, it's hard to put down!

Couldn't put 'Kursk Down' down

'Kursk Down' will appeal to anyone who is interested in the events that led to the demise of one of the Russian's state-of-the-art Oscar-II class SSGN submarine - the Kursk. I bought it for this very reason as the story intrigued me and wanted to find out more as to what had happened to K-141.Initially I was annoyed by the introduction where the author tried to reconstruct what may have occurred on board the Kursk before the disaster that sent it and it's 118 crew to the ocean floor. It's seemed more like a start to a Tom Clancy novel and devoid of actual facts. However as the book began to document the actual findings of the Kursk investigation and salvage operation, the scenario takes on a new light and seems a good indication (as any) of what may have occurred on board the Kursk albeit it being still somewhat speculative. The book after this initial hypothetical scenario then begins to document the chronological string of events of the disaster, from the military, political and civilian perspectives which is very interesting.The book is very light and easy to follow but I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of any diagrams or adequate pictures. I was also dissapointed by the lack of details following the subsequent raising of the Kursk. Source information throughout the book was a little lacking. However these things aside, the book did eventually quench my thirst for what had happened to the Kursk. It subsequently pursued me to find more info on the net but for the 239 pages (of actual info) and the price of the book - I give it 4 stars.