Hostile Waters

by R. Alan White, Igor Kurdin, Peter Huchthuasen

Release Date: 15 August, 1998

Edition: Mass Market Paperback

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Non-Fiction Action Thriller

"Hostile Waters", by Peter Huchthausen, Igor Kurdin and R. Alan White. Thorndike Press, Thorndike, Maine, Large type edition, 1997.

An excellent book, dealing with the loss of the K-219, a Soviet Nuclear submarine, off the east coast of the United States. This book is non-fiction but it reads like a fast moving, modern day thrill novel, thanks, probably, to the efforts of author R. Alan White. The book also reads like a "you are there!" recitation of the events of the sinking, undoubtedly due to the efforts of Igor Kurdin, of the Russian Navy. Finally, there are some pointed comments about higher-level actions and reactions, probably due to the efforts of Captain Peter Huchthausen, USN, Retired. It is impressive that three different writers from such disparate backgrounds could produce a book that is such a well-written story of the events in the sinking of the K-219. It all comes together in such an interesting fashion that it was difficult to put the book down.

As we watch the world react to the aftermath of September 11 2001, we wonder why the CIA and the FBI did not have better communications with each other agency. The provincialism and secrecy of the USN submarine service is well documented in this book. In some ways, this is a theme of this book; rivalry between service branches and within each service hinders cooperation and communications. On page 225, for example, you can find: the U.S. Navy's "... number one enemy: the United Sates Air Force". Personally, I can recall working as reliability engineer on a small Navy project in 1987, and I referenced an Air Force document as substantiation for my calculations. I was told, "Wrong color blue". Navy Blue versus Air Force blue.

Yankee in trouble

This book tells the story of Soviet Yankee I-class missile submarine K-219. This incident happened in 1986 and already then Soviet armed forces were in rather bad condition. K-219 is sent to American east coast for patrol duty and it experiences difficulties from beginning of journey. In fact there has been major problems before this journey. Troubles really start when one of the missiles explodes due to malfunction.

This book was interesting for several reasons. First it gives the reader a view in what kind of shape Soviet Navy was during last stages of communism and how politics were always most important thing and everything else came only after it (maybe). It also gives reader view how US Navy hunts submarines, how well (or bad) USN and other branches of service ie. US Air Force in this book co-operate. Also for once one of the bad guys is American; commander of US attack sub USS Augusta.

Text was easy, fluent and fast to read and photo section is ok for paperback (pics are clear enough to really see what kind of monster K-219 was). One thing that bothers me after reading this book is that if Soviet Navy was in such a bad condition during communist era in what condition are Russian Navy vessels today? Luckily their ships and subs rust most of the time in port due to lack of funds.