Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Crimson Tide

Rate this book
Prepare yourself for the action-packed thriller starring Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. The plot mixes The Hunt for Red October and Fail Safe to tell the story of a mutiny aboard the U.S.S. Alabama, a nuclear submarine, which has been ordered to fire its missiles and destroy Moscow. Includes drawings of the U.S.S. Alabama. Original.

239 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

1 person is currently reading
165 people want to read

About the author

Richard P. Henrick

19 books6 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
36 (24%)
4 stars
53 (35%)
3 stars
43 (28%)
2 stars
14 (9%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Supratim.
309 reviews456 followers
January 24, 2016
This novel is based on the movie of the same name. Since I have not watched the movie I enjoyed the book more as I did not know how it would end.

It is a submarine-based techno-thriller. Rebels have seized control of a military installation in Russia and threatened nuclear attacks against USA. Nuclear submarine of the US Navy, USS Alabama have been deployed to launch a preemptive attack should the rebels proceed to carry out their threats.

The newly joined Executive Officer Hunter and the captain of vessel Frank Ramsey have very different value systems and methods of operation. Their initial differences very soon escalate to confrontation and eventually mutiny.

There are suspenseful moments involving attacks by a Russian submarine, maneuvering of USS Alabama, supporters of Hunter and Ramsey in conflict etc. which would keep the reader hooked.

The end was a bit too simplistic though.

It is a decent thriller -- it has suspense, tension, action, conflicting loyalties-- all the necessary ingredients that can entertain the reader.The book is good for passing time when you don't want any heavy reading.
Profile Image for Rick.
154 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2025
Review 28. Crimson Tide by Richard P. Henrick

Page Count : 239

Crimson Tide has always been one of my favourite films and when I found out that there was a book of it last year, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

Very similar to the film, this book expands on the characters in the film and also gives a lot more detail into some of the important scenes.

I decided to reread this book as part of a break from new books and also because I am attempting to do some research reading into submarine thriller novels and how different authors write them.

I will definitely read this book again in the future as it is a fantastic example of this genre of book.

5*
*****
Profile Image for Luminescence  Goh.
78 reviews2 followers
August 12, 2024
*Crimson Tide* by Richard P. Henrick is a gripping military thriller that dives deep into the tension and drama aboard a nuclear submarine. The novel is excellent for studying leadership dynamics, decision-making under pressure, and the psychological conflicts in high-stakes environments. For fantasy writers, this book offers valuable insights into crafting intense, suspenseful narratives and complex character interactions. How Henrick handles authority, loyalty, and moral dilemmas can inspire similar themes in fantasy worlds, making *Crimson Tide* a surprisingly rich resource for creative storytelling.
233 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2008
This book is based on the movie, so obviously it's very similar to the movie. It's very exciting and fun to read. However, I thought the ending of the book was kind of lame. Nothing was officially resolved and they just went straight to the quick satisfying ending.
Profile Image for Barry Medlin.
368 reviews31 followers
June 20, 2019
I always enjoy a good submarine thriller and this one was well written and a joy to read!
100 reviews6 followers
April 8, 2019
One of the better movie tie in books. It does stay close to the movie but does give a little more detail and background. Crimson Tide is one of my favorite movies so this book is high on my Favorite List. It's too bad it is only on paperback.
Profile Image for Ranette.
3,402 reviews
November 25, 2020
This book raises a lot of questions about authority and order in the military. When a transition is not fully received, the captain and ex have differing opinions as to what to do. It could lead to nuclear war.
Profile Image for Shawn Oetzel.
Author 8 books5 followers
September 17, 2025
Quick read. I vaguely remember the movie so the story was still new to me. The book held my interest throughout, and some intense moments.
Profile Image for Stefan Yates.
219 reviews52 followers
December 18, 2012
If you've seen the movie by the same name, you pretty much know what's going on here. That being said however, this is still a fairly well written novel.

It's been a while since I've sat down and watched Crimson Tide, so I wasn't one hundred percent sure of exactly what happened anymore. This novel is fast-paced, exciting and thrilling and keeps the reader involved from beginning to end. The author's experience with submarines is readily apparent and he tells his story in a way that makes sense and is totally believable. The characters motivations and actions also seem true to form.

All in all, I found Crimson Tide to be a decent and entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.