The Terrible Hours: The Man Behind the Greatest Submarine Rescue in History

by Peter Maas

Book Overview

On the eve of World War II, America's newest submarine plunged helplessly to the North Atlantic bottom during a test dive. Miraculously, thirty-three crew members still survived. While their wives and girlfriends waited in nearly unbearable tension on shore, their ultimate fate would depend on one man. In this thrilling true narrative of terror, heroism and courage in the depths of a malevolent ocean, prizewinning author Peter Maas brings us in vivid...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060194804
• ISBN13: 9780060194802
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A tribute to an American Hero

Though ostensibly about the first successful deep water submarine rescue in American History, "The Terrible Hours" is really the heoric story of Swede Momson, the dedicated U.S. Naval officer who overcame reams of red tape and mountains of bureaucratic ineptitude to develop the equipment that allowed the successful operation to take place. His story is an inspiring one for any American. Author Peter Maas first reported on Momsen's story nearly thrity-five years ago, and this project was a labor of love for him. His account of the sailors aboard the trapped submarine is quite harrowing. And the rescue is detailed with the right amount of white knuckle suspense. Overall, this well-written book is an excellent and informative piece of reporting.

The Terrible Hours

A real page turner. Content of this story made me believe that there are still true American heroes, and "Swede" Momson was one of them. The story is written as though you very much cared and knew the men trapped on that sub. I felt with Maas' descriptions, that I was actually in the sub suffering the cold and horror that the men endured during their entrapment. I highly recommend this book as it is a true story and the writing is as excellent as it is fast paced and descriptive.

An excellent read about a truly amazing man

This book clicks along at a pace that rivals a Tom Clancy novel. The difference is that "Swede" Momsen actually lived and the story told here is true.It's hard to imagine a time when even a minor submarine accident meant certain death for her crew. It's equally hard to imagine being on the surface, listening to the men trapped below banging on the hull with hammers, begging to be rescued...and knowing it was simply impossible.Momsen's life's work made those tragedies a thing of the past. This book tells the story masterfully and is highly recommended.

Bravery, fear, courage - and the lessons of history.

Peter Maas has a gift. His words make men and women whom we'll never know personally come alive. In his telling of the tale of the Squalus, Maas also provides a shocking glimpse into the rigidity of the pre-World War II Navy, presents a picture of domestic life that we no longer enjoy (and probably are worse off for it) and the willingness of men to willingly endure danger. It is also the story of one very brave, very determined man who fought a stolid bureaucracy in order to save the lives of his comrades. Maas' reporting - and that's what it really is - is solid. He never gets into phony histrionics, but his descriptions of the reality are frightening - you can imagine the terror of being trapped in a submarine, 240 feet below the surface, not knowing if you will be dead or alive in a matter of hours. Maas also captures the unassuming and unfailing courage of the rescuers who fight inadequate equipment, foul weather and fate itself. The Terrible Hours is adventure of the most terrifying kind because it recounts a reality most of us could never endure.Jerry

5 Stars For Survivors, The Dead, Mr. Momsen, The Families,

Everyone involved in the rescue, and for The Author for bringing this piece of History to one who was unaware of it. I do not have the technical expertise of many of the reviewers so I too would have found pictures or drawings very helpful. The story is not diminished by their absence, but for those who don't have the knowledge it would have helped to clarify and expand on certain issues and the equipment used. I read through the book almost without pause as there is no let up at all in the story, it is an excellent piece of historical writing, and if it hadn't happened, it would have made a great novel. I do not mean to infer it is light reading, simply very well written even though a few more details/explanations would have helped the layperson. My Father served in the Navy, and he always has spoken about the Men that served in the Submarines as people that were a "Certain kind of special, and who had a lot of guts". I didn't fully appreciate that comment until this book. These men were closer to amazing than just special. The craft they were using may have been state of the art in their day, but I don't know how much comfort could be derived from that fact. Mr. Momson, the rescuers, the crewmen that survived, and those that did not, are all heroes, as are their Families. I do not believe that we hear enough about heroes and heroines to the extent that we should. And the next comment may generate some nasty letters but that's fine. Today heroes and their female counterparts are often those who endorse sneakers and other forms of Athletic Equipment. Sports are important; excellence in sport should be celebrated, but kept in perspective. These submariners, their counterparts on ships, the men and women who served on the ground or in the air, are not celebrated nearly enough, our standards have gotten badly out of line. All that we enjoy, and all that we are free to criticize, and the lives we have to pursue our goals with, ALL are owed to the men and women who have served their Country in Peace and in War. I have never been to war, but for those who have given me my freedom a thank you, my respect, and a promise to raise my Children to know who gave them the Country in which they live, is what I can offer. It's not much compared to what you have done, but I believe many more citizens than not know they owe what we have to those who defended us.