
Blind Man's Bluff
The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage
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Narrated by:
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George Wilson
About this listen
No espionage missions have been kept more secret than those involving American submarines. Now, Blind Man's Bluff shows for the first time how the navy sent submarines wired with self-destruct charges into the heart of Soviet seas to tap crucial underwater telephone cables. It unveils how the navy's own negligence might have been responsible for the loss of the USS Scorpion, a submarine that disappeared, all hands lost, 30 years ago. It tells the complete story of the audacious attempt to steal a Soviet submarine with the help of eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes and how it was doomed from the start. And it reveals how the navy used the comforting notion of deep-sea rescue vehicles to hide operations that were more James Bond than Jacques Cousteau.
Blind Man's Bluff contains an unforgettable array of characters, including the cowboy sub commander who brazenly outraced torpedoes and couldn't resist sneaking up to within feet of unaware enemy subs. It takes us inside clandestine Washington meetings where top submarine captains briefed presidents and where the espionage war was planned one sub and one dangerous encounter at a time. Stretching from the years immediately after World War II to the operations of the Clinton administration, it is an epic story of daring and deception. A magnificent achievement in investigative reporting, it feels like a spy thriller but with one important difference: Everything in it is true.
©1998 Sherry Sontag and Christopher Drew with Annette Lawrence Drew (P)1999 Recorded Books, LLCListeners also enjoyed...
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What listeners say about Blind Man's Bluff
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- Kojoukhinator Sr.
- 11-15-17
best Cold War documentary...
I seldom write reviews, but this book is an exception...
Growing up during Cold War Era in Soviet Union few people knew what's going on, on ether side...
Attempts to raise my generation with ideology of US as an enemy failed miserably, this book confirms gut feelings of young kids of 70s and 80s...
Very well written, excellent narration, captivating story, I just couldn't put this one down...
Highly recommend!
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16 people found this helpful
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- Beth L.
- 12-19-18
Outstanding piece of history
I was told about this book by a submariner. I found the stories spell binding and really enjoyed learning some of the history within this book. Highly Recommend
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- Trevor
- 09-29-16
Great story
The story was great. The audio was very easy to hear. I ride a motorcycle and I had no problem hearing him.
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- Customer
- 04-03-17
Outstanding
A must read for anyone interested in submarines, espionage or the cold war. Do not pass on this one.
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11 people found this helpful
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- Aaron A. Tyler
- 02-10-19
excellent book
One of the best stories and performances I have ever heard. There send to be no end to the surprises and human perspectives uncovered in the book. I really appreciate to front seat view of this, very different world.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Henry Wodnicki
- 04-11-20
Great read
Great insight into the submarine Corp and the unsung heroes who served in those incredible machines
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- Warner
- 03-15-21
The Untold Story
Served on one of the boats named. Very well researched. Particularly liked the analysis of the loss of the Scorpion.
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- alec cole
- 11-28-17
good book
even better the second time that I could listen along with the book. A +
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- Rum Runner
- 08-16-21
Excellent Tales From The Deep
Just excellent. My dad was on SS195 USS Sailfish in the war, 10 combat patrols and along with other smoke boat submariners often pulled the tails of Admiral Rickover's "Moon Beam Navy" . . . all in fun. This book really filled in the gaps between the 2 eras as well as informing us readers what was kept classified for so long. Very good read!!
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- Colin
- 05-24-21
Brothers of the Deep
Speaking as a retired British Nuclear Submariner. I found the book a blast from the past and extremely accurate. I did find there was a bit to much about the politicians in the middle would have liked a bit more of the stuff that Submariners did during the Cold War.
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