The Best 5 Books about Submarines

Robert Kurson’s Shadow Divers reads like an adventure novel but is grounded in meticulous research and genuine human drama. The book follows two deep-sea wreck divers, John Chatterton and Richie Kohler, who stumble upon an unidentified German U-boat 230 feet below the Atlantic. Their discovery triggers an obsessive quest to uncover the sub’s identity and the fates of its crew. Kurson captures the physical peril of deep diving—nitrogen narcosis, decompression sickness, and the ever-present risk of death—as well as the emotional toll of obsession and rivalry.

The strength of Shadow Divers lies in its balance of suspense and substance. Beyond the thrill of discovery, it’s a story about respect for history, the human need for closure, and the moral weight of uncovering the past. The divers’ relentless pursuit becomes a metaphor for curiosity and courage in the face of the unknown. A perfect gateway for readers who enjoy history told with the tension of a thriller.

James D. Horan’s U.S.S. Seawolf – Submarine Raider of the Pacific delivers a vivid, action-packed chronicle of a submarine that became a legend in the Pacific during World War II. Through detailed accounts of patrols, torpedo attacks, and encounters with Japanese destroyers, Horan captures the relentless danger and tactical brilliance of undersea warfare. The Seawolf’s crew operated in near-total isolation, relying on stealth, ingenuity, and teamwork to survive—and to strike decisively.

What sets this book apart is its immediacy. Horan combines firsthand reports, operational records, and interviews with surviving crew members to recreate the intensity of battle beneath the waves. It’s a story of courage and sacrifice, culminating in the Seawolf’s mysterious disappearance late in the war. For readers fascinated by submarine combat and naval heroism, this book stands as both an exciting read and a poignant memorial to those who never returned.

Dr. John Pina Craven’s The Silent War offers a rare insider’s look into the clandestine world of U.S. Navy submarine operations during the Cold War. As the Navy’s chief scientist for special projects, Craven was at the heart of some of the most daring and secretive missions of the era—from recovering lost nuclear weapons to tracking Soviet submarines under the Arctic ice. His account blends scientific innovation with geopolitical drama, revealing how underwater intelligence gathering became a vital component of national security.

Craven writes with the authority of someone who was there, balancing technical insight with gripping storytelling. He explores not only the high-stakes missions but also the personalities and politics that drove America’s underwater ambitions. The result is a book that is as informative as it is thrilling—a portrait of a hidden front in the Cold War where silence and secrecy were weapons as potent as torpedoes.

Hans Goebeler’s Steel Boat, Iron Hearts stands out as one of the most honest and visceral U-boat memoirs ever published. Serving aboard U-505, Goebeler recounts daily life in the cramped, foul-smelling confines of a submarine under constant threat from Allied depth charges. His storytelling is unflinchingly candid—describing not only the technical aspects of undersea combat but also the fear, camaraderie, and moral uncertainty that defined the U-boat experience.

The book gains additional weight from its historical context: U-505 was later captured by the U.S. Navy, becoming one of the few German submarines preserved for history. Goebeler reflects on his service with both pride and regret, offering a deeply personal view of men fighting for survival in a doomed cause. For readers seeking the human face of the German submarine campaign, Steel Boat, Iron Hearts is indispensable—gritty, revealing, and deeply moving.

Peter Sasgen’s Stalking the Red Bear immerses readers in the perilous world of Cold War submarine espionage. Told largely through the experiences of Captain Roy Hunter, commander of a Sturgeon-class attack submarine, the book depicts missions that pushed both men and machines to their limits. Operating deep under Arctic ice, American submariners shadowed Soviet vessels in deadly games of hide-and-seek where a single sonar ping could mean disaster.

Sasgen combines authentic technical detail with a novelist’s sense of tension, making complex undersea operations accessible and gripping. The claustrophobia, pressure, and mental strain of extended patrols are vividly portrayed, offering insight into the psychological endurance demanded by the silent service. Equal parts military history and thriller, Stalking the Red Bear captures the strategic stakes and personal courage that defined the underwater front of the Cold War.