H.M.S. Ulysses (Soundings Series)

Rating:
Summary: His first and best
Review: Possibly, the greatest novel of WW2 ever written. It certaintly is the best I have read, and I've read many. Like another reviewer, I also shed a tear. How could you not? Read it.

Rating:
Summary: Torpedo!!
Review: The HMS Ulysses was built for one mission - escorting convoys from Scotland to Murmansk in Russia to deliver supplies Russia needs to keep the Wehrmacht on the run on the eastern front. By 1943, the tide of the war had turned against the Axis on every front but the Atlantic. Worn down by the arctic storms, by constant attacks from German subs, dive bombers and cruisers, by outbreaks of TB and the constant threat of the mighty Battleship Tirpitz, Ulysses is a ship coming apart at the seams. The only thing holding the crew and ship together is there respect for its young and ailing captain and the desperation of the allied war effort. Their superiors in Admiralty would gladly supply less outdated escorts with more experienced crews, or replace their undersized (and outgunned) escort jeep carriers with fleet aircraft carriers - if that were available. But disintegrate the ship does, under attack by u-boats, Hipper-class cruisers, Condor bombers and the ceaseless assault of the Arctic. McLean does a superlative job taking both crew and vaunted ship apart. While he doesn't glorify war, he doesn't stoop at taking cheap shots at those who lead the war-effort either, and those who made critical decisions leading up to the tragedy of convoy "PQ-17" are given their due. (don't worry if you don't know a thing about PQ-17 - McLean gives aperfect intro). Neither does McLean stoop to gory effects. "Ulysses" neither glorifies war nor condemns it with cheap tactics. The horrors of war are enough for that, and McLean's prose do that - sort of like "Private Ryan" at sea....

Rating:
Summary: relentless tale of one ship in an arctic war
Review: The HMS Ulysses was built for one mission - escorting convoys from Scotland to Murmansk, Russia. Though a novel, "Ulysses" stays to a very specific historical context - the RN's desperate missions to keep Russia supplied during WWII. In this novel, he follows the travails of the Ulysses as it sets forth on a convoy that has every hint of disaster. It's 1943, the tide of the war had turned against the Axis on every front but on the seas. Though devotees of either nautical fiction or WWII novels are actually the last to label WWII as "the good war", even they might be shocked to learn the desperate straits through which MacLean sails his titular ship. The "Murmansk Run" has convoys sailing through waters rife with terror both natural and man-made - horrors to which Ulysses has long become familiar with, yet never immune. Worn down by the arctic storms, by constant attacks from German subs, dive bombers and cruisers, by outbreaks of TB and under constant threat of the mighty Battleship Tirpitz, Ulysses is a ship coming apart at the seams. The only thing holding the crew and ship together is there respect for its young and ailing captain and the desperation of the allied war effort. Their superiors in Admiralty would gladly supply less outdated escorts with more experienced crews, or replace their undersized (and outgunned) escort jeep carriers with fleet aircraft carriers - if that were available (during a deceptively simple dialog early on, officers detail the desperation of their situation, which includes rusty old ships with ripe crews, and escort carriers which would never be confused with the main-fleet monsters). But disintegrate the ship does, under attack by u-boats, Hipper-class cruisers, Condor bombers and the ceaseless assault of the Arctic. McLean does a superlative job taking both crew and vaunted ship apart. While he doesn't glorify war, he doesn't stoop at taking cheap shots at those who lead the war-effort either. (Those familiar with the lore of the "Murmansk Run" may wonder if this book fictionalizes the tragedy known only as "PQ-17"; in fact, MacLean mentions that tragedy in an extended foot-note early on. It's an unusual device, but an effective one, since it allows MacLean to state unequivocally where he stands, and bravely make the case for RN planners who doubtlessly suffered the blame for PQ-17's casualties. Further, it frames the context of the "Murmansk Run" while implying that, though he's aware of the background behind the Russia-bound convoys, he won't be enslaved to write a bloodless fictionalized version of them. Instead, the footnote makes it plain that MacLean wants to write his own book, a promise that he fulfills). Neither does McLean stoop to gory effects. "Ulysses" neither glorifies war nor condemns it with cheap tactics. One reviewer took issue with the book's poor characterization, and that complaint is actually dead-on with respect to one of its characters. Though MacLean's treatment of an incompetent junior officer who blames others for his clumsiness is gratuitous (MacLean, rather than his characters, personally concludes the officer's active-duty status is the result of numerous mistakes, adding plenty of proof that the subject isn't even worth debate), it takes up a mercifully short amount of the book. Slim character development is acceptable because the author makes it clear that individuality was one of the sacrifices (like fresh food, and not having to worry about frostbite) that Ulysses' crew are forced to forego due to the war. Instead of nuances, the only sense of singularity that any crewman can have under those circumstances is whether he will bend or break with the arctic tide - a question that will keep you guessing to the end. Many authors will claim that they can put their readers on the decks of ships or in planes in war, but MacLean is not only one of few who suceeds but achieves the incredible feat of brining the tale to life - stingingly icy salt spray, U-Boats and all - but makes it a world you can't quite tear yourself away from.

Rating:
Summary: relentless tale of one ship in an arctic war
Review: The HMS Ulysses was built for one mission - escorting convoys from Scotland to Murmansk, Russia. Though a novel, "Ulysses" stays to a very specific historical context - the RN's desperate missions to keep Russia supplied during WWII. In this novel, he follows the travails of the Ulysses as it sets forth on a convoy that has every hint of disaster. It's 1943, the tide of the war had turned against the Axis on every front but on the seas. Though devotees of either nautical fiction or WWII novels are actually the last to label WWII as "the good war", even they might be shocked to learn the desperate straits through which MacLean sails his titular ship. The "Murmansk Run" has convoys sailing through waters rife with terror both natural and man-made - horrors to which Ulysses has long become familiar with, yet never immune. Worn down by the arctic storms, by constant attacks from German subs, dive bombers and cruisers, by outbreaks of TB and under constant threat of the mighty Battleship Tirpitz, Ulysses is a ship coming apart at the seams. The only thing holding the crew and ship together is there respect for its young and ailing captain and the desperation of the allied war effort. Their superiors in Admiralty would gladly supply less outdated escorts with more experienced crews, or replace their undersized (and outgunned) escort jeep carriers with fleet aircraft carriers - if that were available (during a deceptively simple dialog early on, officers detail the desperation of their situation, which includes rusty old ships with ripe crews, and escort carriers which would never be confused with the main-fleet monsters). But disintegrate the ship does, under attack by u-boats, Hipper-class cruisers, Condor bombers and the ceaseless assault of the Arctic. McLean does a superlative job taking both crew and vaunted ship apart. While he doesn't glorify war, he doesn't stoop at taking cheap shots at those who lead the war-effort either. (Those familiar with the lore of the "Murmansk Run" may wonder if this book fictionalizes the tragedy known only as "PQ-17"; in fact, MacLean mentions that tragedy in an extended foot-note early on. It's an unusual device, but an effective one, since it allows MacLean to state unequivocally where he stands, and bravely make the case for RN planners who doubtlessly suffered the blame for PQ-17's casualties. Further, it frames the context of the "Murmansk Run" while implying that, though he's aware of the background behind the Russia-bound convoys, he won't be enslaved to write a bloodless fictionalized version of them. Instead, the footnote makes it plain that MacLean wants to write his own book, a promise that he fulfills). Neither does McLean stoop to gory effects. "Ulysses" neither glorifies war nor condemns it with cheap tactics. One reviewer took issue with the book's poor characterization, and that complaint is actually dead-on with respect to one of its characters. Though MacLean's treatment of an incompetent junior officer who blames others for his clumsiness is gratuitous (MacLean, rather than his characters, personally concludes the officer's active-duty status is the result of numerous mistakes, adding plenty of proof that the subject isn't even worth debate), it takes up a mercifully short amount of the book. Slim character development is acceptable because the author makes it clear that individuality was one of the sacrifices (like fresh food, and not having to worry about frostbite) that Ulysses' crew are forced to forego due to the war. Instead of nuances, the only sense of singularity that any crewman can have under those circumstances is whether he will bend or break with the arctic tide - a question that will keep you guessing to the end. Many authors will claim that they can put their readers on the decks of ships or in planes in war, but MacLean is not only one of few who suceeds but achieves the incredible feat of brining the tale to life - stingingly icy salt spray, U-Boats and all - but makes it a world you can't quite tear yourself away from.

Rating:
Summary: So-so.
Review: This book was average, like so many of MacLean's novels. It had a great deal of interesting aspects of naval life; however, as a novel, it simply wasn't that satisfying.

Rating:
Summary: Romantic, tragic, beautiful
Review: This is probably the best fiction book on WW2. It is very tragic.. almost every character you come to like so much, dies. At the same time there is a lot of romance, a lot of (perhaps unreal, definitely impractical) bravery. Maclean has one of the most descriptive styles of all writers I have read and his language is superb. A must read for all those who like to read stuff about the sea and/or about war. A truly great book.

Rating:
Summary: Reads like a Naval version of "Saving Private Ryan."
Review: This story takes us on-board one of the most popular fictional Destroyers of the story's WW2 era Royal Navy; yet it is anything but a war-propaganda-based tale! In fact, quite the opposite. I found that quality curiously delightful in spite of the common writings of the period. We had just gotten out of Korea then, and would be soon embracing for Vietnam. My sympathy went sky-high for the sailers. Mr. MacLean did a great job 'humanizing' the characters. I was compelled to care for them, worry about them hope with their hopes and be sad with their sorrow.. Mr. MacLean gave us details of the ship with extreme delicacy. I could see the curves of this great ship; the outlines of her guns, the water furrow off her bow and the sillouettes of the enemy's planes but I never was burdened with macro-intensive, semi-relevant details typical of military writers. I was never bored with the descriptions and always sad when she (the ship) was damaged. This is a good read. If you've ever wondered what life aboard a military vessell was in WW2; ever wondered what men thought that were facing death over and over again and how they dealt with (or didn't deal with it), then this is a story for you. I think it breeds the imagination very well. This really is good movie material.