A Book Review “Lion of the Seven Seas” Authored by Michael DiMercurio
First of all, let me begin by saying that this is a great read and it stands by itself, but it is one of a series of books featuring the same central character, about Submarine warfare. I recommend you read all the other books in the series in sequence for maximum impact and enjoyment. They are all great reads and I find it hard to believe that anyone who enjoys a great thriller won’t really enjoy each of these books.
On a personal note, I am a Submariner myself, but older than the Author. I know his descriptions are accurate, as I lived many of the scenes he describes in his books, minus the actual torpedo firings as I was a Cold Warrior, and on a different type of boat. That doesn’t mean we didn’t practice them though. Descriptions of the major systems of the boat are accurate and even the smell of the boat is accurate, except for blowing the sanitary tanks which I don’t believe any author can ever truly describe, it really smells awful!
Okay, enough introduction
The Central Character is Anthony “Patch” Pacino, he is the Engineering Officer of the latest and deadliest Fast Attack Submarine in the United States Navy, the Silversides. He’s the Son of the Vice President of the United States, and recently lost the love of his life, but the needs of the Navy come first, so he along with others he served with on a previous mission, are assigned to counter a Chinese incursion into our Hemisphere.
During this operation, Patch, and a Team of Seals were directed to rescue a downed Air Force Pilot who was the tip of the spear in this operation. Once the rescue was complete the Silversides had business with a Chinese fleet coming through the Panama canal. To make matters more tense, at almost the same time, new intelligence indicated that the Iranians were planning a devastating strike against the East Coast of the United States using their own Submarine armed with advanced weaponry, and which was being escorted by a Chinese submarine.
The Silversides knows it is up against two possible opponents, either or both of which, may have weaponry equal to their own, and one of which might be quieter than their boat. They suspect they know what course these opponents will take towards the East coast of the United States, so they position themselves where they can listen for them using their state of the art Sonar System.. Then begins a cat and mouse game with highest of stakes, two enemy submarines against the Silversides defending the United States against a devastating attack.
The Silversides does detect the Iranians, and a battle beneath the waves begins. The results of the battle may surprise the reader, but leave plenty of room for a sequel.