Blind Man's Bluff

The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage

By: Sherry Sontag, Christopher Drew

Narrated by: George Wilson

Length: 15 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

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, LLC

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!

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

Great story

The story was great. The audio was very easy to hear. I ride a motorcycle and I had no problem hearing him.

must read for anyone living during cold war

If you could sum up Blind Man's Bluff in three words, what would they be?

S.M.F

What other book might you compare Blind Man's Bluff to and why?

not sure

Which character – as performed by George Wilson – was your favorite?

ALL

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

its not about reaction. its about action taken by people dedicated to our country and its cold war spy game. I retired after 20 years in military. this is a great book and what the public never realizes what goes on daily in security of our country

Any additional comments?

My hats off the those who are in the book and those who worked for the military and contractors! I mean that. unless you were in some of these classified projects in the book or others not ever to be told. you would never understand the lives lost, games played and dedication of an ordinary kid becoming a hero in a moment and not by choice,, by reaction to their fellow military brothers and sisters and never thinking about their own safety and in some cases losing their own lives.

Great lesson in history.......could have been a little shorter though

Yes, I do recommend listening to this book if you enjoy history. The investigative journalist did a fantastic job telling about submarine espionage that has never been told before. The one part that got a bit long and drawn out for me was the saga of Scorpion. It was repetitive telling of what caused this sub to sink.

Great insight into an untold world

A little dry but worth the read for anyone who is or knows someone involved in the submarine world. Does a fine job of expressing mind sets, frustrations, and stress of this underexpressed job.

Great Submariner Book

Great history of sub warfare over since WW II. Reader sounds like William Holden. I’m still not sure how to pronounce the Barents Sea.

Cold war history

This account of the cold war espionage fascinated me the first time I read it. This look at cold war history shows a glimpse of the efforts to stay ahead in the technology game. Well researched and written.

Long Held Stories of Sleuthing

Great story about how the powers of the world worked to gain the inside track on each other. Surreptitiously learning secrets.

one of my all time favorites in audio or print

Only a handful of somewhat declassified stories of cold war submarine saga.
Just be mindful that these are the stories we are allowed to know about.