Raising the Hunley

The Remarkable History and Recovery of the Lost Confederate Submarine

By: Brian Hicks, Schuyler Kropf

Narrated by: Harry Chase

The history of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley is as astonishing as its disappearance. On February 17, 1864, after a legendary encounter with a Union battleship, the iron "fish-boat" vanished somewhere off the coast of South Carolina. For more than a century the fate of the Hunley remained one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Civil War. Then, on August 8, 2000, with thousands of spectators crowding Charleston Harbor, the Hunley was raised from the bottom of the sea and towed ashore.

Now award-winning journalists Brian Hicks and Schuyler Kropf offer new insights into the Hunley's final hours and recount the amazing true story of its recovery. Dramatically told, filled with historical details and contemporary color, Raising the Hunley is one of the most fascinating books about the Civil War to appear in years.

©2002 Brian Hicks and Schuyler Kropf (P)2002 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Forget the Titanic; this sub wreck is hot." (Wall Street Journal)
"A rich tale of one of America's greatest sagas that is as suspenseful as adventure fiction." (Clive Cussler, author of Blue Gold)
"This riveting narrative features a winning combination of Civil War arcana, maritime history, and underwater archaeology." (Booklist)

Interesting & Well Done

As a Hunley enthusiast and participant in the recent funeral for the third crew of the Hunley, I found the book to be an excellent record of search for the submarine and the events leading up to its discovery. Much of the content of the story details the personalities and challenges involved in the operation which adds a lot to the historic information readily available from other sources. Definately worthwhile.

Excellent to listen to.

The only thing that I could pick on is the a abundance of the word "rebels" when they mean Confederates. From a casual standpoint we still call them Reb's and Yanks but historically they were no different than George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. But overall I highly recommend this book.

Good Story About The Huntley

Very interesting story about the construction, the designer, the builders, the crews and ultimately its one and only mission.

Great Read

Great book with a good history of the vessel and it’s restoration. Also gives good background on many of the sailors, their tragic death, and eventual burial.

Great Civil War history

This book not only effectively tells the history of the CSS Hunley, during the civil war, but details the search for the sunken submarine. The Hunley is the first submarine ever to go into combat and sink a ship. The book also chronicles the search for the Hunley after it sank right up to its restoration. You can see it in Charleston.