A gripping account of the disastrous Russian submarine explosion that killed the entire crew; devastated the Russian people; and defined Vladimir Putin's post–Cold War regime. What were Russian officials thinking when they waited 48 hours to acknowledge their most prized submarine was in trouble? Why did they track the desperate tappings of an unknown number of trapped sailors without sending an international SOS? Why did they repeatedly decline international rescue offers while their own rescue equipment repeatedly failed to make any progress?To a world community still mystified by deadly Russian deceits surrounding the Kursk submarine disaster; Ramsey Flynn's book uncovers the truth once and for all. Cry from the Deep has quickly become the definitive account of this pivotal moment in modern Russian history; as an angry Russian people – aided and abetted by a fledging independent media – openly clashed with Vladimir Putin and his new government's Soviet–era tactics of secrecy and deception. Flynn's searing narrative also documents how western officials; in a practiced silence reminiscent of the Cold War era failed to notify their post–Soviet counterparts of the disaster; despite learning of the explosion hours before the Russians did.
#1505839 in Books 2005-12-13 2005-12-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .72 x 5.31l; .61 #File Name: 006093641X320 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Well researchedBy FredGreat book. Obviously; the section on the events in the submarine; while center stage; are pretty short. This mostly deals with the drama above the surface after the sinking.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Incredibly Compelling Read #1 Resource for Kursk DisasterBy Luv2ReadCry from the Deep by Ramsey Flynn is one of the most compelling nonfiction books I've ever read. As a Master's student at NYU; I read the book for research on my thesis; but to my surprise (and delight); I became completely immersed in the writing. Flynn writes in an intense; gripping style that allows for a fast-paced read. The entire time I was absorbed in the book; I felt like I was reading a novel for pleasure. However; for nonfiction junkies; this book gives the detailed facts of the Kursk disaster; even discussing how the sailors died and giving a personal history of Dima Kolesnikov. Flynn delves into the nuances of the Kursk itself; describing its behemoth size; structure and naval intent.Overall; I was blown away by this book and Flynn's evocative writing. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Flynn.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Tragedy TravestyBy Jeffrey SwystunHad the 'new' Russia arrogantly and ineptly left it's sailors to perish? That is just one of the questions author Flynn probes in this tale of the loss of the behemoth submarine; Kursk in August; 2000. The size of this submersible is incredible at nearly 15;000 tons it was "as long as two jumbo jets; five stories high; and sixty feet wide." It boasted two nuclear reactors; a pool; and a sauna. And it had a rescue system consisting of an escape pod that could hold 115 sailors. It was not armed conflict; poor navigation; nor a collision that sunk the sub but rather a sign of the deteriorating former Soviet armed forces. It was the world's biggest torpedo; an amazing thirty-six feet in length; that malfunctioned due to poor maintenance while in the Kursk that produced a strong of tragedies and travesties.Two blasts knocked out the submarine. The first had it heading to the ocean's floor; the second was twenty times stronger than the initial; actually registering on the Richter scale. Incredibly; sailors survived and many may have been rescued had it not been for Russian pride; military stonewalling; and bureaucratic and political delays. This is where Flynn weaves in the very human stories of men on board and families back home. He has patched together an incredible story through tenacious research and personal passion. It is an event now mostly forgotten; a relic tied more to the Cold War than to the new century and democratic Russia. Thankfully; the author has put it carefully and reverently down on paper.
