Rickover: Father of the Nuclear Navy

Military Profiles

by Thomas B. Allen, Thomas B. Allen

Hyman G. Rickover was not long removed from his Jewish roots in Poland when he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1922. After a respectable career spent mostly in unglamorous submarine and engineering billets, he took command of the U.S. Navy's nuclear propulsion program and revived his career, being retired-involuntarily-some thirty years later in early 1982. He was not only the architect of the nuclear Navy but also its builder. In the process, he erected a network of power and influence that rivaled those who were elected to high office, and that protected him from them when his controversial methods became objectionable or, as critics would suggest, undermined the nation's vital interests. Authors Thomas B. Allen and Norman Polmar, whose full-length biography of Rickover (in manuscript in 1981) was consulted by the Reagan Administration during the decision to remove him from active duty, are eminently qualified to write an essential treatment on the controversial genius of Admiral Rickover.

119 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Thomas B. Allen's writings range from articles for National Geographic Magazine to books on espionage and military history.
He is the father of Roger MacBride Allen.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and sad

One of the surprisingly depressing stories I’ve read about this hero. I struggle which lessons to take away. Do you need to be a jerk, focus energy on congressmen, and have unrelenting conviction to get anything amazing done in the Navy? Hopefully only the third one.

[Eugene Miya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I enjoyed this book as an unsanctioned biography (wait, where did Polmar's name go).

The problem with the silent service is that the unwashed public will never hear the more interesting stories.

I avoid, but came close to applying for NROTC to major in nuclear engineering, in 1973, do moved on to find the ARPAnet. I have visited Keyport, WA, but I do need to visit the sub school one of thee days.

Rickover had to fight American anti-intellectualism. He wrote several books about it. He noted the jocks of the old Navy boys' club.

I got the Polar edition from the library. Year ago.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thin and unsatisfying. Contains a few entertaining quotes and anecdotes as well as a brief, informative section about the beginning of the naval nuclear power program, but otherwise doesn't contain much anybody acquainted with the program is unlikely to know. I'm interested to read the larger bio that this was distilled from.

[John Jennings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Significantly shorter and more negative than other biographies of Rickover. I wouldn't read as my first biography of the man because it has some stories that do not match many other books and sources I've read.

However, still useful as a counterview of a very polarizing figure.

[Jbaker717 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview. Short book. Knew most of it. Didn't have the details about Regan meeting