A Time to Die

Starred review from November 11, 2002
Late in the morning of August 12, 2000, two massive explosions proved fatal to the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk. The destruction was caused by a torpedo leaking a highly volatile liquid, destroying the forward compartments of the doomed ship and killing most of its crew. Incredibly, 23 men remained alive and trapped in compartment number nine, located near the rear of the sub. Moore, chief U.S. correspondent for the British ITN News, whose book has already climbed onto bestseller lists overseas, will now reach an eager American readership with this gripping account of the Kursk's death. Russian officers at first delayed in searching for the sub, and then, when it was finally located a hundred meters below the icy waters of the Barents Sea, decided to try to rescue the survivors themselves, despite hopelessly antiquated technology. The Russians finally assented to international aid, and a team of British and Norwegian experts was finally assembled, with two ships anchored near the hulk of the Kursk, but the Russians again delayed while protocol was worked out. Finally, when the escape hatch was opened and a camera inserted, it was apparent that all survivors were dead. Moore, who interviewed families of some of the crew as well as anonymous naval officers, has compiled an hour-by-hour account of this tragedy, highlighting Russian bureaucratic delays, pride that prevented asking for help, and the desire of some officials to protect the nuclear secrets of the ship rather than concentrate on rescuing the crew. Moore also highlights the stormy reception given to Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin by families of the crew. The eventual salvage of the submarine and the removal of the bodies also makes compelling reading. Although some questions remain to be answered, Moore's incisive journalistic approach to the Kursk
tragedy will remain the best English-language account of this event for some time.