The Terrible Hours - by Peter Maas (Paperback)

About the Book

On the eve of World War II, the "Squalus", America's prized submarine, plunged to the bottom of the North Atlantic. Thirty-three members survived, largely because of the efforts of U.S. Navy officer Charles "Swede" Momsen. In this thrilling true account, Maas vividly recreates the adventure, which will be aired as an NBC-TV movie in April 2001.

Book Synopsis

"A suspenseful tale of terror, courage, heroism and American military genius. I couldn't put it down." -- Tom Brokaw

The #1 New York Times bestselling epic of nautical heroism and an immensely exciting tale of submarine disaster and man pitted against nature

On the eve of World War II, the Squalus, America's newest submarine, plunged into the North Atlantic. Miraculously, thirty-three crew members still survived. While their loved ones waited in unbearable tension on shore, their ultimate fate would depend upon one man, U.S. Navy officer Charles "Swede" Momsen--an extraordinary combination of visionary, scientist, and man of action.

In this thrilling true narrative, prize-winning author Peter Maas brings us in the vivid detail a moment-by-moment account of the disaster and the man at its center. Could he actually pluck those men from a watery grave? Or had all his pioneering work been in vain?

From the Back Cover

On the eve of World War II, the Squalus, America's newest submarine, plunged into the North Atlantic. Miraculously, thirty-three crew members still survived. While their loved ones waited in unbearable tension on shore, their ultimate fate would depend upon one man, U.S. Navy officer Charles "Swede" Momsen -- an extraordinary combination of visionary, scientist, and man of action. In this thrilling true narrative, prize-winning author Peter Maas brings us in the vivid detail a moment-by-moment account of the disaster and the man at its center. Could he actually pluck those men from a watery grave? Or had all his pioneering work been in vain?

Review Quotes

"A white-knuckle read." - Publishers Weekly
"Each time I pick up Maas, I feel that I have been given a backstage pass to an American moment." - Los Angeles Times Book Review
"Gripping." - New York Times Book Review
"Heroic." - Washington Post Book World
"Mr. Maas...proves once again there is little he cannot achieve with the written word." - New York Times Book Review
"Peter Maas has given us a suspenseful tale of terror, courage, heroism and American military genius. I couldn't put it down." - Tom Brokaw
"Peter Maas offers insights only the best reporters can unearth." - Boston Globe
"Riveting." - Vanity Fair
"Suspenseful." - Chicago Tribune
"Take a deep breath before diving into this Navy rescue." - Life magazine
"Thrilling. . . . A wonderful book. . . a harrowing tale of suspense." - The Oregonian (Portland)
"Thrilling...breathlessly written." - Washington Post