Escape from the Deep

A True Story of Courage and Survival During World War II

By: Alex Kershaw

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

"Their submarine was dead, one hundred and eighty feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. Somehow they survived. They were tortured and beaten. Somehow they survived. Alex Kershaw has done it again as he brings to life World War II's greatest submarine survival adventure." --James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys

In the early morning hours of October 24, 1944, the legendary U.S. Navy submarine Tang was hit by one of its own faulty torpedoes. The survivors of the explosion struggled to stay alive one hundred-eighty feet beneath the surface, while the Japanese dropped deadly depth charges. As the air ran out, some of the crew made a daring ascent through the escape hatch. In the end, just nine of the original eighty-man crew survived.

But the survivors were beginning a far greater ordeal. After being picked up by the Japanese, they were sent to an interrogation camp known as the “Torture Farm.” When they were liberated in 1945, they were close to death, but they had revealed nothing to the Japanese, including the greatest secret of World War II.

With the same heart-pounding narrative drive that made The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter national bestsellers, Alex Kershaw brings to life this incredible story of survival and endurance.

Critic reviews

American Profile Magazine, 5/24/09
“A tale of courage, survival and heroism beyond what most of us can even imagine, it's got the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. So read it now and be ready to tell everyone, ‘Oh, the movie was good—but the book was better!”

Fascinating

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read on World War II. These types of stories are what make history so fascinating. I had a history teacher once told me “give me the most outlandish fictional story and I will beat it with a non-fictional story.”

This must read for anyone interested in World War II, history, or just wants to read an amazing story of survival, determination, and camaraderie. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Quite Simply .. Fantastic!

This is a very short, clear and exciting account of the most decorated submarine during the second world war. It is a marvelous audiobook, well narrated with great peace. I did not want it to end.

A Book all should read!

An outstanding account of a truly remarkable submarine and its crew. From their incredible accomplishments at sea to their incredible escape from a sinking sub to survival in an POW camp one cannot keep tears from ones eyes. Highly recommend

A Fabulous Book

This was an incredible book; well-researched and marvelously told! I highly recommend this book!

All the emotions

A perfectly written story about raising young women in today’s culture. Heartbreaking and real and tragic.