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onegrain's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Well researched and well written. A very interesting read.
geve_'s review against another edition
5.0
The story of the Kursk disaster, the accidental sinking of one of Russia's greatest nuclear subs. The story goes into GREAT detail about the history of the sub, as well as Russia's navy at the time, the crew on the sub and the theories about what actually happened. I found these details quite interesting, and they really help to set the stage for how this tragedy occurred.
It was, of course, a series of multiple failures that led to the sinking, as well as the event going unacknowledged for quite a while after, which of course likely led to the deaths of all the survivors of the original explosions.
This also happened during Putin's first 3 months as president, and he was a major fucking bitch about it all. He didn't do shit about it, until long after the crew was dead, but it really showed his skill as a politician in how he finally did handle it.
If I have a complaint about the book, it is in the formatting. Although it's a common technique, the book starts with an exciting chapter of the event, then backtracks to all the history, then near the end, it calls back to some of the things that were introduced in the beginning. It wasn't terrible, but had it taken me longer to read this, I may not have been as fresh on the details.
Overall, this is a great read, highly recommend.
It was, of course, a series of multiple failures that led to the sinking, as well as the event going unacknowledged for quite a while after, which of course likely led to the deaths of all the survivors of the original explosions.
This also happened during Putin's first 3 months as president, and he was a major fucking bitch about it all. He didn't do shit about it, until long after the crew was dead, but it really showed his skill as a politician in how he finally did handle it.
If I have a complaint about the book, it is in the formatting. Although it's a common technique, the book starts with an exciting chapter of the event, then backtracks to all the history, then near the end, it calls back to some of the things that were introduced in the beginning. It wasn't terrible, but had it taken me longer to read this, I may not have been as fresh on the details.
Overall, this is a great read, highly recommend.
andrewmull2's review against another edition
2.0
The book is full of fascinating information, the author really did go in depth with his research. Many sections are just not page turners though, and I had to really force myself to get to the end of some of them. If you have not heard the story, watch a 40 minute documentary on it. If that really sparks your interest, go for this book
jparks5's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
annoeing's review against another edition
5.0
THAT WAS ACTUALLY A REALLY GOOD BOOK!!!
Although quite technical in the beginning, the author clearly has done extensive research about the submarine accident and clearly highlights the flaws as well as subtly criticising the Russian government on how they handled the case.
As well as depicting the facts of the situation, the author also brought out the difficulties and emotional aspects that families of the deceased faced, and overall made the book a very interesting read.
Although quite technical in the beginning, the author clearly has done extensive research about the submarine accident and clearly highlights the flaws as well as subtly criticising the Russian government on how they handled the case.
As well as depicting the facts of the situation, the author also brought out the difficulties and emotional aspects that families of the deceased faced, and overall made the book a very interesting read.
__karen__'s review
5.0
So much detail here that I wasn’t aware of previously. It an interesting story but also very sad.
chelsearadler's review against another edition
4.0
Gripping and fast-paced with superb reporting on politics, military strategy and defense technology. It's hard to believe a technical failure of this level happened so recently or that cold warfare still goes on to this extent. Of course, you end up wanting to know more about what's happening inside the sub while rescuers scramble above the waterline, but Moore navigates this difficultly with strong writing and excellent research. Recommend, even for us non Navy buffs.
libraryofrick180107's review against another edition
5.0
Review 41 A Time To Die : The Kursk Disaster by Robert Moore
I read the entire 320 pages of this book in less than 24 hours.
I was hooked from the minute I opened this book as I have wanted to read it ever since I watched the film based on the book, Kursk : The Last Mission starring Colin Firth.
The events of the book are slightly different to the events that are shown in the film as they have been dramatised.
The Kursk was a massive nuclear powered cruise missile submarine (SSGN) of the Russian Navy.
Commissioned in 1994, the submarine was not even 6 years old at the time the events of August 12th 2000.
Commanded by Captain Gennady Lyachin, the Kursk was one of the most capable submarines in the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet.
Armed with 6 torpedo tubes carrying 24 torpedoes and also equipped with 24 cruise missile tubes carrying what are known as SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles which are capable of supersonic attack on surface ships including aircraft carriers.
While I was reading this book, I actually found myself getting annoyed as there were several massive points which were the main initial causes of the Kursk disaster.
After the disaster had happened and the Kursk was sunk 107 metres below the surface of the Barents Sea, several factors were also involved in the time delay that happened before the rescue attempts by the Russian Navy began.
All I can say is that if you remember this disaster happening on August 12th 2000, I recommend reading this book but be prepared for being annoyed.
I will definitely reread this book again in the future.
I read the entire 320 pages of this book in less than 24 hours.
I was hooked from the minute I opened this book as I have wanted to read it ever since I watched the film based on the book, Kursk : The Last Mission starring Colin Firth.
The events of the book are slightly different to the events that are shown in the film as they have been dramatised.
The Kursk was a massive nuclear powered cruise missile submarine (SSGN) of the Russian Navy.
Commissioned in 1994, the submarine was not even 6 years old at the time the events of August 12th 2000.
Commanded by Captain Gennady Lyachin, the Kursk was one of the most capable submarines in the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet.
Armed with 6 torpedo tubes carrying 24 torpedoes and also equipped with 24 cruise missile tubes carrying what are known as SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles which are capable of supersonic attack on surface ships including aircraft carriers.
While I was reading this book, I actually found myself getting annoyed as there were several massive points which were the main initial causes of the Kursk disaster.
After the disaster had happened and the Kursk was sunk 107 metres below the surface of the Barents Sea, several factors were also involved in the time delay that happened before the rescue attempts by the Russian Navy began.
All I can say is that if you remember this disaster happening on August 12th 2000, I recommend reading this book but be prepared for being annoyed.
I will definitely reread this book again in the future.