Books read in 2017: No. 42 -- The Diary of a U-Boat Commander

by Sir Stephen King-Hall

Started: Nov. 21
Finished: Nov. 23

Notes: Having just read a couple of pirate novels, I thought I'd continue my maritime readings with this book of the First World War as written or edited by a British naval officer. Presented as the discovered diary of a German u-boat commander, there is to this day some question as to whether or not this is fact or fiction since Sir King-Hall was not only an active naval officer on duty during the war but was also a known writer of fiction.

Mini review: Upon reading this, my guess would be this is a work of fiction somewhat akin to the likes of Moby Dick, including factual and perhaps historical information but mostly consisting of a contrived tale. This book is split about evenly between the officer's time aboard a U-boat fighting a war and his time on leave, mostly with a lover named Zoe. In the end, it is his connection with Zoe that is the culmination of this tale, more so than his actual commanding of a submarine. However, it is interesting seeing the officer's change of attitudes towards the war over time.