When asked to review David Sharp's book, The CIA's Greatest Covert Operation: Inside the Daring Mission to Recover a Nuclear-Armed Soviet Sub, I was less than thrilled because books written by engineers are often similar to 90-page instruction booklets for digital devices. By chapter two, I realized my preconception had been unwarranted. The story is entertaining and intriguing enough to keep me turning pages.
David Sharp is an excellent writer, capable of describing intricate concepts with just the right amount of “dumbing down” needed to hold the attention of those who do not have an advanced degree in engineering but detailed enough to hold the attention of those who do. The book is well organized, and Sharp's judicious injection of humor is enough to give the reader an occasional break from the serious nature of the text.
At first the book appears similar to numerous other books chronicling the...