Rating: 
Summary: Taking a cold look at hard choices that must be taken
Review: The Right Thing is a firsthand account written (with the assistance of Ken Abraham) by Scott Waddle, the captain of the nuclear submarine USS Greeneville, which in February 2001 collided with a Japanese fishing boat resulting in a tragic loss of life. Rather than conceal or deny his role in the deaths of nine people, Waddle took the witness stand to speak directly to the truth about what happened that fateful day. This compelling memoir presents Waddle's story in personal detail, while also offering an invaluable glimpse into naval life -- as well as taking a cold look at hard choices that must be taken by those in command.
Rating:
Summary: The Right Thing
Review: The Right Thing: But why does it have to be that way? The tragic collision between the USS Greeneville, a U.S. Navy nuclear powered Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine, and a Japanese fishing-training vessel, the Ehime Maru, near Honolulu, on February 9, 2001, was indeed just that: A tragic accident. This account focused on human failures as well as human successes and human feelings. Scott Waddle, Commander of the USS Greenville, a distinguished naval officer of twenty-two years, tells his story as it actually happened. He tells what happened to him after the accident, during and after the court of inquiry-an accounting that has never been published. He was charged with dereliction of duty, improper hazarding of a vessel and negligent homicide. Admiral Fargo found him guilty of two of the three charges: Dereliction of duty and improper hazarding of a vessel, but subsequently, he was vindicated of the negligent homicide charge. There was vindictiveness and resentment in that naval complex at Pearl Harbor, in Honolulu. However, Commander Waddle, being the aggressive, ambitious man he was, or is, withstood everything the Navy handed him. He accepted the blame for the tragedy as a human failure on his part, as well as the commander of the one billion-dollar submarine. He did not try, in any way, to make excuses for his failure, as it appears some others did. Of course this is the way it is, the way it has to be, but one should be able to expect professional help from his subordinates in a synergistic and coordinated effort. It's really a shame that the career of an outstanding and distinguished naval officer should come to an end in such an abrupt manner. Commander Waddle had much to offer to the Navy, his peers, his students and his country. The Navy had astronomical amounts of time and money invested in Commander Waddle. Commanders for nuclear powered submarines are not just anyone in the ranks of command in the Navy. They are highly educated, well-qualified, highly motivated, well trained career officers with an abundance of experience. You don't get this kind of person from placing an ad in the local newspaper or military magazine. What a waste that he should be discharged from the Navy for being human. Ostensibly, the Navy views these tragedies as unforgivable. Can anyone who has ever experienced similar experiences, feel what a man like Commander Waddle felt? Perhaps the Navy should re-evaluate the procedures for such tragedies. One should never be a shamed of being human. This is Commander Waddle's story: A man who always strives to be the best he can be, and accomplish the tasks at hand and achieve the desired and necessary outcome. What's more, he was motivated by praise for his accomplishments and work. Read it, and see what happened to this outstanding naval officer, and the egregious, nefarious treatment given him by the United States Navy. But why does it have to be that way?
Rating: 
Summary: Don't buy this book
Review: This book would lead you to believe that Scott Waddle is an icon of moral courage, an outstanding Naval Officer, and a crusader for good and "the Right Thing." Not true. He twists facts, omits information, and misleads the reader to further his self-aggrandizing scheme. Though I have no doubt that he feels regret for his personal and direct responsibility for the Ehime Maru incident, and no doubt that the Navy could have handled some aspects of the aftermath better, his efforts to make himself out to be a noble and honorable victim of circumstance are deplorable to me and every one of my fellow Submarine Officers to which I have spoken. His career has not been one of unmitigated success due to his personal talent and honor, as the book portrays, but one punctuated by questionable acts which he dodges through his charisma and powerful friends. He may be worthy of your pity, but he is not worthy of the money he would get from you buying this book of drivel.
Rating: 
Summary: Incompetent and ungrateful
Review: What comes through this book is that Scott Waddle is a decent man with a mis-guided sense of entitlement. Imagine that while at work, you or I killed 9 people through sheer incompetence and a dereliction of rules and procedures. Can you imagine being "punished" by being allowed to "retire" (with a full pension I might add), allowed to draw a paycheck for half a year while you sort out your next career move, and (oh, Heavens!) have a letter of reprimand placed in some Human Resources file? Let's face it, we'd be tossed out like yesterday's trash and probably sitting in a jail cell for manslaughter. But now, Scott Waddle complains that he wasn't treated fairly by the Navy, how they wouldn't fly him to Japan, how no one came to say "Goodbye" on his last day, how mean everyone in the Navy is, blah blah blah.....If this man was considered to be the "Elite" of the US Navy, what must it look like by the time you get down to "Average" and "Just okay." If his performance on the Greenville and the subsequent whining of this book are examples of the outstanding values and traditions of the US Navy, God help America, especially as we prepare for war.
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