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Rating: 
Summary: Two Explosions In The Barents Sea And ...
Review: 'Kursk Down' will appeal to anyone who is interested in the events that led to the demise of one of the Russian's state-of-the-art Oscar-II class SSGN submarine - the Kursk. I bought it for this very reason as the story intrigued me and wanted to find out more as to what had happened to K-141.Initially I was annoyed by the introduction where the author tried to reconstruct what may have occurred on board the Kursk before the disaster that sent it and it's 118 crew to the ocean floor. It's seemed more like a start to a Tom Clancy novel and devoid of actual facts. However as the book began to document the actual findings of the Kursk investigation and salvage operation, the scenario takes on a new light and seems a good indication (as any) of what may have occurred on board the Kursk albeit it being still somewhat speculative. The book after this initial hypothetical scenario then begins to document the chronological string of events of the disaster, from the military, political and civilian perspectives which is very interesting. The book is very light and easy to follow but I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of any diagrams or adequate pictures. I was also dissapointed by the lack of details following the subsequent raising of the Kursk. Source information throughout the book was a little lacking. However these things aside, the book did eventually quench my thirst for what had happened to the Kursk. It subsequently pursued me to find more info on the net but for the 239 pages (of actual info) and the price of the book - I give it 4 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: simply weak
Review: Aside from being almost 100% ... from the russian book by N.Cherkashin, this made-for-american-house-wives booklet reads almost like a Disney version of "Das Boot". The chronology is good BUT it is available on about 100 websites now, anyway. The writing style is that of a village daily reporter. The usual american stereotypes about Russia are omnipresent and do not fit well at all with the hero-submariner image. Finaly: if Burleson wanted to write a good book, he should have gone to Russia to do research! Instead he browses the internet and reads a Russian author. Voila, "Kursk Down" is born.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Chronology
Review: I thought Mr. Burleson did a good job of compiling information from various sources and putting them in a coherent chronological order. I didn't notice very much new or revealing information, but found that he had researched this tragedy very thoroughly. I'd recommend reading KURSK DOWN for a better insight into our most recent naval tragedy. Considering the reasonable price, it's definitely worth buying. Pick it up now.
Rating: 
Summary: Great coverage of a tragic story
Review: Mr Burleson covers everything relating to this tragic event. The book gives you a details glimpse of what really happened on the sub and how it must've felt to be there. He also goes behind the scenes to cover information on officials and family members and what they were going through. I have researched this tragedy since it happened, collecting news articles and press releases, and I conclude that this book is right on the money....plus, it's hard to put down!
Rating:
Summary: Great coverage of a tragic story
Review: Mr Burleson covers everything relating to this tragic event. The book gives you a details glimpse of what really happened on the sub and how it must've felt to be there. He also goes behind the scenes to cover information on officials and family members and what they were going through. I have researched this tragedy since it happened, collecting news articles and press releases, and I conclude that this book is right on the money....plus, it's hard to put down!
Rating:
Summary: The sinking of the Russian submarine Kursk.
Review: This is a good overview of the sinking the Russian submarine Kursk and the general state of the Russian Navy. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, the defense establishment has received far less attention and resources than before. This contributed to the sinking of the sub.
I was particularly interested in what motivated the claims of the Russian Navy that another submarine collided with the Kursk resulting in her loss. The facts are otherwise, but the political motivation to blame an external power was there. Incompetence by either personnel on the Peter the Great in shooting off a missle or in the torpedo technicians on the Kursk (not Navy personnel) led to this disaster. Old habits die hard in Russia, so someone else to blame was necessary. Burleson does a good job of writing about this in the book.
Rating:
Summary: The sinking of the Russian submarine Kursk.
Review: This is a good overview of the sinking the Russian submarine Kursk and the general state of the Russian Navy. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, the defense establishment has received far less attention and resources than before. This contributed to the sinking of the sub.
I was particularly interested in what motivated the claims of the Russian Navy that another submarine collided with the Kursk resulting in her loss. The facts are otherwise, but the political motivation to blame an external power was there. Incompetence by either personnel on the Peter the Great in shooting off a missle or in the torpedo technicians on the Kursk (not Navy personnel) led to this disaster. Old habits die hard in Russia, so someone else to blame was necessary. Burleson does a good job of writing about this in the book.
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