The Rickover Effect: The Inside Story of How Adm. Hyman Rickover Built the Nuclear Navy

Rockwell, Theodore

ISBN 10: 0471122963 / ISBN 13: 9780471122968

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York, NY, 1995

About this Item

Glued binding. xvi, 411, [1] p. Index. Foreword by Admiral James D. Watkins. Excerpts from on-line obituary of the author: "Theodore Rockwell, was a nuclear engineer who assisted in the development of nuclear-powered naval vessels. Since 1943, he had been involved in the development of nuclear power. He worked on the atomic bomb at Oak Ridge, Tenn. He worked with Navy Adm. Hyman G. Rickover on the Navy s nuclear propulsion program. He received distinguished service medals from the Navy and the Atomic Energy Commission. He received the American Nuclear Society s Lifetime Achievement Award, which is now known as the Rockwell Award." From Wikipedia: "Hyman G. Rickover (January 27, 1900 - July 8, 1986) was responsible for the original development of U.S. Navy nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of Naval Reactors. In addition, he oversaw the development of the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor used for generating electricity. Known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy", Rickover's profound effects on the Navy and its most powerful warships were of such scope that he "may well go down in history as one of the Navy's most important officers." A naval officer who served in a flag rank for nearly 30 years - from 1953 to 1982 - Rickover was promoted to four-star admiral after 51 years of commissioned service. In total, with his unique personality, political connections, responsibilities, and depth of knowledge regarding naval nuclear propulsion, Rickover became the longest-serving naval officer in U.S. history with 63 years of active duty service. As of July 2007, the Naval Sea Systems Command programs which he oversaw the creation and operation of had produced 200 nuclear-powered submarines, and 23 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and cruisers, though many of these U.S. vessels are now decommissioned and others are under construction. Rickover was the only person who has ever been awarded two Congressional Gold Medals. His substantial legacy of technical achievements includes the United States Navy's continuing record of zero reactor accidents, as defined by the uncontrolled release of fission products to the environment subsequent to reactor core damage. Very good. Cover has slight wear and soiling. Presumed first paperback Edition. First printing [stated]. Seller Inventory # 70185

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Rickover Effect: The Inside Story of How...

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York, NY

Publication Date: 1995

Binding: Trade paperback

Edition: 1st Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

"A notable, anecdote-rich biography of the controversial 'father of the nuclear navy.'"—Publishers Weekly

"This thought-provoking, well-written, and stimulating book . . . is an honest tribute to a man whose greatness will one day be recognized even more than it is today."—Associated Press

"Together with Rhodes's definitive account of the race . . . to develop a nuclear bomb, these two works constitute the most important contributions to date on the history of atomic energy."—Nuclear News

"The consummate inside story of Rickover's team: how they developed nuclear power, how they worked together, and their relationships with a revered, though controversial, boss."—Captain Edward L. Beach, USN (Ret.), author of Run Silent, Run Deep

In less than a decade, Hyman G. Rickover created the world's first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, and built the world's first atomic power station. His unprecedented technological achievements overcame both natural and human obstacles and gave new meaning to the concept of industrial quality control.

Here is the critically acclaimed, authentic inside story, told by the man who worked at Rickover's side for fifteen years. Theodore Rockwell takes us behind the "zirconium curtain" to see the emergence of the commercial nuclear industry through the eyes of those who shaped it and to discover why Rickover provoked a storm of controversy. The Rickover Effect is a riveting tale of genius and dedication told in intimate, human terms.

Theodore Rockwell is an editor and author, as well as an expert on nuclear reactors who worked with Admiral Rickover from 1949 to 1964. He served as technical director of the U.S. Naval Reactors Program from 1954 to 1964.

From the Publisher:

Reporting directly to Rickover for 15 year and his technical director for the last 10, the author describes what it was like to work beside this remarkable man and why he was bitterly opposed by so many powerful people. Explains, in plain English, how Rickover succeeded in creating the nuclear navy and built the world's first commercial atomic power station in a single decade. Details the genius of Rickover to get things accomplished on a large scale.