From the moment this story began, I was captivated and drawn in. A stunning piece of work which flawlessly combines history, a love story, loss and redemption.
Although my knowledge of WWII in Europe is well-rounded, I had very little knowledge of the submarines in the Pacific. In layman's terms, this author gave me a deep understanding and pride for all of the men that served there.
Fowler's attempt to "construct" a father she never knew was both poignant and thought provoking. Far from placing blame or being maudlin, this author comes to discover her own identity....and in doing so, she allows her readers the priviledge of also getting to know Jim Coe. One very special man.
By the end of the story....I knew without doubt that this author is indeed her father's daughter.
I highly recommend this wonderful and refreshing read!

I really enjoyed this book. It is written by someone who is not trained in the military yet does an amazing job documenting her father's career and life aboard a wartime submarine. Ms. Fowler also gives a unique perspective on how a loss af a submarine affects so many lives.

This is a wonderful book. It is a memoir of a woman who, at mid-life, began a search for the character of her father, a submarine commander who was lost at sea during World War II. It is a great read on several levels. The reader gets a glimpse into the lives of a young naval officer and his wife as they celebrate the beginning years of marriage while living in the Hawaii and Manila of the 1930's. Then, there is a well-researched account of life aboard a submarine from the every day trials of getting the job done in the steaming, stinking heat of the sub's interior to the cat and mouse game of survival as they attempted to disrupt Japanese shipping in the South Pacific. In addition she reveals the tragedy of a family ruined by the circumstances of war and the hope for healing of a woman who "gets to know" her dad even though he died before she was born. Mary Lee Coe Fowler is the kind of writer I like to read. She writes with a clear, evocative style that leaves the reader hoping that there are more books like this one on the way