The Never-Ending Challenge of Engineering: Admiral H.G. Rickover in His Own Words

by Hyman George Rickover, Paul E. Cantonwine (Editor)

This ebook is a practical and philosophical look at the principles used by engineers from the perspective of one of America’s greatest engineers, Admiral Hyman George Rickover. He is an icon in the history of nuclear power, and one of his greatest contributions was to develop nuclear power technology to meet much higher safety and quality standards than past technological developments. The record of safety in Rickover’s nuclear Navy and in the U.S. commercial nuclear industry is unique in the history of power technology, and thus the thoughts of the man most responsible for how nuclear power technology was developed in the United States should be of interest to everyone working in a technical field – especially ones where customer/public safety and quality are paramount.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Brian Miracle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains various speeches given by Admiral Hyman Rickover, the engineer who was the father of our nuclear navy. The book is divided into 5 parts: Part 1 on becoming an innovator; Part 2 on American innovators -Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, and George Washington Carver; Part 3 on engineering in practice; Part 4 on technology’s impact on society; and an Epilogue on man’s purpose in life.

Some key takeaways:

1. Technical projects should be run by technical people, not managers implementing the latest fad in management.
2. Implementation of technology requires that we consider the short-term and long-term disadvantages of its use.
3. Problem areas in management of technical manufacturing are:
a. Incomplete understanding of basic manufacturing and inspection processes.
b. Poor workmanship and poor quality control.
4. Importance of the following:
a. Technical competence.
b. Responsibility.
c. Facing the facts, even if it’s uncomfortable.
d. Conservatism of design.

Rickover imparts lessons learned from his 60+ years doing engineering in the Navy. I recommend this book for engineers, project managers, and anyone interested in nuclear power.

[andy fortmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic.

It is of particular note for employees at companies achieving breakthroughs as Rickover’s attitudes about human capital specifically align perfectly with the great cultures i have experienced at these technological frontiers both in and out of government.

His conviction that individual efforts beyond norms of capability and effort are the root of most great breakthroughs is resonant.

His consistency in driving the importance of integrity, introspection, and effort as internal and imperative to a good life were also well put and overall— this is worth a read and especially for folks starting out in technical fields or leading technical projects.

Thank you RR for sending me the book and the great inscription— i waited too long to read it!

[Ron Frisard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book about Admiral Rickover. Since the book are his speeches, his own words hit home for me. Being the father of the Nuclear Navy, I feel his views on engineering and education still make sense and have value today some 40 years later.
Rickover was a modern day renaissance man; he was active in all the social and political discussions of the time and also had great guidance for living a fruitful life.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a better understanding of the Rickover - understand his deep understanding of how people have to work hard every day to get things done.