#1: All Hands Down Book Review Author: cliff, Location: Dublin, OhioPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:01 am ---- All Hands Down – The True Story of the Soviet Attack on the USS Scorpion
Ken Sewell’s new book, “All Hands Down”, is a very well written account of one of the submarine community’s worst events. With the help of Jerome Preisler, the book is a wonderful mix of fact, firsthand accounts of both Russian and American sources, and the words and deeds of those who were lost. For those of us that served during the Cold War, many disturbing issues concerning the operational safety of the crews that went to sea during that period are examined. “All Hands Down” looks back at the events taking place in the world prior to the loss of Scorpion, pulling each seemingly unconnected event together to form a well constructed thesis.
Whether you agree with Ken’s assertion that the USS Scorpion was attacked and sunk by the Soviet Union, this book is an excellent telling of the Scorpion’s story. The Scorpion was more than a nuclear submarine; it was a crew of individuals that all had stories and thanks to Ken these stories have now been told.
As a Submariner, Ken paints a picture of life at sea that will bring back memories to any bubblehead. This book contains a great deal of technical data, but everything is explained so well that nothing should be missed. I found all my senses stimulated to the point where I could almost smell the chow, hear the hum of machinery and the long hours on watch in maneuvering learning the life stories of those that occupied the box with me. But the stories of those left behind, those that stood in the rain waiting for a boat that would never return, reminds us of the sacrifices made by all those that remained ashore.
Submitted by,
Joe Testa
Commander
Columbus Base - USSVI
