Running Deep: Bravery, Survival, and the True Story of the Deadliest Submarine in World War II

Running Deep: Bravery, Survival, and the True Story of the Deadliest Submarine in World War II

by Tom Clavin

4.7 (389)

4.7 stars from 389 reviews

356 pages~5.9 hr readPublished by St. Martin's PressPublished 2025-01-01

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Fans of these authors will like this...

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Perfect for you if...

  • You love meticulously researched WWII narratives that centre on individuals rather than just battles and strategy.
  • You're drawn to stories of extreme survival against impossible odds, especially when the protagonist refuses to break.
  • You appreciate military history that doesn't shy away from the cost of war, including what happened after the shooting stopped.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You prefer fiction over documented fact, even when the true story is this extraordinary.
  • You find detailed accounts of torture and starvation camps deeply distressing and want to avoid them.
  • You're looking for uplifting wartime stories without the darker elements of capture, interrogation, and slow attrition.

About this book

Running Deep tells the true story of the USS Tang, the deadliest submarine in World War II, and its commanding officer, Captain Richard Hetherington O'Kane. Under O'Kane's command, the Tang sank more tonnage, rescued more downed aviators, and completed more surface attacks than any other American submarine. Submariners faced six times the mortality rate of sailors on surface ships. On October 24, 1944, the Tang engaged an entire Japanese convoy and destroyed it, but its 24th torpedo malfunctioned and struck the submarine instead. The Tang sank 180 feet below the surface. Of the 87 crew members aboard, nine survived, including O'Kane. Captured by the Japanese, O'Kane and other Tang sailors were imprisoned at a camp alongside other submariners and aviators, including Louis Zamperini and "Pappy" Boyington. The camp was designed to extract information from prisoners and allowed them to die from malnutrition, disease, and abuse. O'Kane became a special target after the Japanese learned of his notoriety. When the camp was liberated in August 1945, O'Kane survived despite weighing only 90 pounds. In January 1946, President Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor.

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Free$8.00$15.99Feb '25Jun '25Jun '26
$14.99$15.99

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 81% off peak. Price has dropped 1 time over the last 16 months.

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#4,182#1,243,873#2,483,564Mar '25Nov '25Mar '26Jun '26

Currently around #81K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller. Sales have softened 205% recently.

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2.5★3.8★5.0★Nov '25Jan '26Mar '26May '26RatingReviews

Currently 4.7★ from 389 reviews

Gaining approximately 50 new reviews per month. Steady word of mouth growth. Rating has climbed from 3.1 to 4.7. Recent readers are rating it higher.

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Free$8.00$15.99Feb '25Jun '25Jun '26PredictedJun '26

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Tom Clavin

1 book on Vagrant Press

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