Kursk Down: The Shocking True Story of the Sinking of a Russian Nuclear Submarine

by Clyde W. Burleson

The true story of the sinking of the Russian nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea on August 12, 2000. Hailed as "unsinkable, " the "Kursk" was on maneuvers when mysterious explosions rocked the sub, causing it to sink to the bottom of the sea with its 118-man crew. This in-depth look at the disaster reveals previously unreleased information from family members of the deceased as well as from government officials.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Military Fiction, Nautical

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this event took place in the year 2000, over 14 years after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, many of the same circumstances were in place waiting for a disaster to happen.

Lack of training, poor maintenance, insufficient investment, and above all political pressure to take action for which the naval crews were not ready. Ultimately, the accident occurred because naval commanders wanted a showpiece to occur during the naval exercise.

The resulting explosion not only destroyed the submarine, and lead to the deaths of all the crew on board, but damaged the reputation of the Russian Navy, even the Russians state and president, which was long-lasting.

And interesting, fact filled book describing the events before and after the accident and also giving some personal details about crew members

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good account of the Kursk tragedy and how Russia struggled with the media early in the post Soviet era.

[Eg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting portrayal of Russia and post-USSR time in connection with a submarine disaster. Sadly the whole truth will never be known.

[Gary Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows clearly that Russia, just like the United States, values political image more than the lives of servicemen.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting tale of a disaster.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does a good job providing a detailed account of the Kursk disaster, issues that the Navy faced both financially and technologically, and covering some of the theories that came about the sinking.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A conspiration inclined mind writes an extended Wikipedia article. A spy novel with a historical background. The author can't grasp the size of the difference between a New York commercial dockyard accident investigation and a remote military exercise involving a very expensive nuclear submarine