On the night of February 17, 1864, the tiny Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sank the USS Housatonic just outside Charleston harbor. As Rachel Lance explains, the sub—the first ever to be successful in combat—then disappeared without a trace. When finally raised 131 years later, the Hunley's hull was intact, and all eight men were still seated at their stations. Here biomedical engineer Rachel Lance unravels the mystery at last, while recounting how she dealt with her own obsession and overcame professional and private obstacles.

"One part science book, one part historical narrative, one part memoir…. Harrowing and inspiring."—Wall Street Journal