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Preview
  • Silent Running

  • My Years on a World War II Attack Submarine
  • By: James F. Calvert
  • Narrated by: Kevin Patrick
  • Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (210 ratings)

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Silent Running

By: James F. Calvert
Narrated by: Kevin Patrick
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Summary

In this riveting personal account, an authentic American hero relives the perils and triumphs of eight harrowing patrols aboard one of America's most successful World War II submarines. Courageous deeds and terror-filled moments - as well as the endless hard work of maintaining and operating a combat sub - are vividly recalled in Calvert's candid portrait. From rigorous training and shakedown cruises off the coast of New England to tense patrols within shouting distance of Japan's major cities, the progress of the newly commissioned USS Jack parallels Calvert's own growth from callow ensign to charter member of one of the sharpest attack teams in the fleet. Silent Running is more than a masterful collection of war stories. The greatest drama takes place within Jim Calvert himself, as his values, his training, and his courage are put to test daily, both at sea and ashore. He must come to terms with a forbidden love, overcome fear and self-doubt, cope with the loss of comrades, and face the constant reality that each and every day at sea might be his last. Jim Calvert has created one of the most remarkable World War II memoirs to date.
©1995 by James F. Calvert, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret.) (P)1997 by Blackstone Audiobooks
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What listeners say about Silent Running

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Thubmarine thtory

A Thubmariners thtory on a Thubmarine from the thecond world war read by a man who cant thpeak the letter S

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thplendid thtory.

Really enjoying the book. However, the narrator sounds rather unfortunately like Daffy Duck, one of the boats is called The Flasher, and it's all making me laugh in places where I shouldn't...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great story, poor narration quality in places.

Great story, well rounded and a fascinating listen.
however the quality of the sounds is poor in places, and there are occasions where you can hear outside noises and voices intruding a touch.
If you can if can ignore that then it's still a great read.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book and story. Quality of sound isn’t great in parts.

Quality of sound isn’t great in parts but it is worth sticking with it for sure.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent war time account ot submariners.

A realistic account of life in a war time day to day life on a submarine, Narration I thought was excellent,
Overall excellent read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic read

This book is a must for any wwII fan. It’s riveting right from the first word to the end, you’ll want to come back and read it again and again.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

this book is must for a excellent reed

this book had me hooked from the start, I like war story's this one was factual but told in fantastic way that held you

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

an easy listen with lots of drama

Five war patrols over three years are presented, with all the drama of creeping up on and sinking Japanese ships. Each engagement is described in quite a lot of detail, but it's always clear what's going on and the excitement of the situation comes across well. Almost everything in the book focuses on pre-combat training and then the combat itself. Little is said about life on board a submarine when not in battle. There is even less mention of the death and destruction of war.

The writer is a squeaky-clean all American hero, almost unreal is his skill, self-discipline and soundness of character. A true poster-boy for life as a navy officer. I found myself regretting having been born fifty years too late and not being American! How easy it must be to be duped into believing in the righteousness of the military when you read a book like this. Don't expect any soul-searching or self-doubt. That said, Mr Calvert comes across as a very pleasant man. Of course, he would hardly present himself in a poor light.

Overall, half a credit well spent (there was a two for one offer)!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A good look into a submariners life in ww2

I enjoyed listening to this book, it was informative and still intriguing as you discover the life of a ww2 submariner.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable

A simple honest tale told well without too much pomp, and plenty of feeling.

Exciting too.

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