Title
Rickover and the Nuclear Navy: The Discipline of Technology,New
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No book will ever come closer than this to providing an inside overview of Admiral Hyman G. Rickover?s nuclear propulsion program. The author, an Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) historian assigned to the admiral?s office, spent years observing the project and its controversial leader in action, and the insights he provides here reflect both his familiarity with the subject and his ability to remain an objective observer.From 1974 to the day Rickover retired in 1982, Francis Duncan had free access to files, documents, and personnel at every level of involvementa rare, nevertoberepeated opportunity that most historians dream of but few get. And, as this book clearly shows, he took full advantage of the situation to gain a unique understanding of exactly how the program operated. The result is a thorough, balanced record of what may well be the U.S. Navy?s and the nation?s most important and farreaching project of the twentieth century.Knowing that facts and figures alone don?t tell the entire story, Duncan talked to scores of people who dealt with daytoday operations, watched men in prototype training and then accompanied them to sea, visited civilian and naval installations, and had close contact with Rickover himself. He also interviewed former U.S. presidents, secretaries of the navy, chiefs of naval operations, AEC chairmen, and legislative leaders who kept tabs on the projects but were removed from daily activities. Never once, the author says, did the admiral attempt to interfere with his research, nor did Rickover read the manuscript.While the focus here is on the nuclear program, not the man, this book does provide fascinating insights into Rickover?s personality and his efforts to maintain standards of excellence that would assure the program?s safety and its ultimate success. Using one of the admiral?s favorite terms, ?the discipline of technology,? to demonstrate the method of technological application advocated by Rickover, Duncan effectively balances technical detail with astute analysis and even drama. Filled with information not found elsewhere, his study is a valuable chronicle of the development of submarine propulsion reactors, the loss of the Thresher, the struggle over the application of nuclear propulsion to surface fleet, and the use of the Shippingport Atomic Power Plant to illustrate the feasibility of a lightwater breeder reactor.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is 'Rickover and the Nuclear Navy' about? A: This book provides an in-depth overview of Admiral Hyman G. Rickover’s nuclear propulsion program, offering insights from an Atomic Energy Commission historian who closely observed the project and its leader.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Francis Duncan, who was an historian with the Atomic Energy Commission and had direct access to Rickover and the nuclear program from 1974 until Rickover's retirement in 1982.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is classified as a used book in good condition.
- Q: What are the dimensions of the book? A: The book has 424 pages and is bound in hardcover.
- Q: When was 'Rickover and the Nuclear Navy' published? A: The book was published on December 13, 1989.
- Q: Is this book a first edition? A: Yes, this is the first edition of 'Rickover and the Nuclear Navy'.
- Q: What topics does the book cover? A: The book covers the development of submarine propulsion reactors, the loss of the Thresher, and the application of nuclear propulsion to the surface fleet, among other topics.
- Q: Does the book include interviews or personal insights? A: Yes, the author includes interviews with key figures such as former U.S. presidents and naval leaders, providing personal insights into the program.
- Q: What is the main focus of the book? A: While the book centers on the nuclear program, it also offers insights into Admiral Rickover’s personality and standards of excellence.
- Q: Can I find unique information in this book? A: Yes, the book contains information and insights not readily found elsewhere, making it a valuable resource for those interested in naval history and technology.