The Never-Ending Challenge of Engineering; Admiral H. G. Rickover In His Own Words

Cantonwine, Paul E. (Compiler)

ISBN 10: 0894485776 / ISBN 13: 9780894485770

Published by American Nuclear Society Scientific Publications, La Grange Park, IL, 2013

About this Item

xxix, [1], 280, [10] pages. Footnotes. Illustrations. Signed with sentiment and dated by compiler on the half-title page. Statement reads Nov. 14, 2018 "Everything in the world is done by and through people" HGR Paul; E. Cantonwine. The compiler has 20 years of experience working on nuclear fuel issues from cradle to grave - including the development, licensing and implementation of new fuel technology. With a Ph.D. In Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Virginia, his technical skills are in Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Statistical Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, and Failure Analysis. Besides his over 25 published papers, Cantonwine published a collection of Admiral Rickover's essays in the book "The Never-Ending Challenge of Engineering. This book is a practical and philosophical look at the principles used by engineers and leaders from the perspective of Admiral Hyman George Rickover - one of America's greatest engineers. Admiral Rickover 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 his nuclear navy and in the US 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 all engineers and leaders working in a technical field-especially ones where customer/public safety and quality are paramount. Derived from a review by Will Davis, a former U.S. Navy reactor operator: In his preface, Cantonwine makes apparent the echoes of Rickover's influence that reverberate even today, not just in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, but also in the commercial nuclear power industry. Cantonwine has arranged the selections from Rickover's writings into four sections: "Becoming an Innovator," "Three American Innovators," "Engineering in Practice," and "Technology's Impact on Society." The fifth and final section includes a speech titled "Thoughts on Man's Purpose in Life," which Rickover wrote near the end of his life and delivered on a number of occasions. The book contains excerpts from a number of Rickover's writings, including one of his books in which he profiles each of the historical figures after whom were named the U.S. Navy's first 41 ballistic missile submarines, which were referred to at the time as the "41 for Freedom." The material from these documents provides a deep historical context and detailed explanations, as well as revelatory insight into the man himself. Historians will note Rickover's frequent inclusion of then-current themes in his speeches and writings. For example, there are undertones of the beginning of environmentalism, as well as of the long postwar decline of the United States as a forceful international power. Dedicated nuclear engineers will enjoy the chapter devoted solely to zirconium and will appreciate the preservation of a section of early reactor related metallurgy in the literature. Worthy of standing on its own, separate from the works of Rickover, is Cantonwine's brief yet comprehensive and insightful biography of the admiralā "an absolute necessity given the distance in time from which we now view Rickoverā "which serves as the introduction to the book. What will someone who has never experienced the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program gain from this book? Among other things, motivation, direction, and perhaps some surprises. In one speech, Rickover decries deforestation and the overfishing of the oceans and laments the currentā "early 1960sā "condition of the United States. Quite the studied and well-read man, Rickover is quoted in another paper as saying, "Familiarity with classical thought not only enriches life but is distinctly useful to any professional man." This was no ordinary sailor. For those interested in Rickover an.

Seller Inventory # 84037

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Never-Ending Challenge of Engineering; Admiral H. G. Rickover In His Own Words
• Publisher: American Nuclear Society Scientific Publications, La Grange Park, IL
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0894485776
• ISBN 13: 9780894485770
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: Presumed First Edition, First printing.
• Condition: Very good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Innovation
  • Nuclear Power
  • Atomic Energy
  • Radiation

About this title

Synopsis

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.

Review

"Adm. Hyman Rickover was, without doubt, the greatest engineer who ever lived.  At the same time, he was a remarkably innovative educator and accomplished historian  and biographer. This selection from his lectures and editorials is an intriguing glimpse into his academic legacy." President Jimmy Carter

"This book is a treasure chest of Admiral Rickover's thoughts, principles, and philosophy of life.  It is not just for engineers.  This book should be read by, and serve as a reference for, all young people preparing for college and those early in their careers." Frank L. "Skip" Bowman Admiral, US Navy (retired) Third Successor to Admiral Rickover's Naval Reactors Program

"Paul Cantonwine has done the engineering profession a tremendous service in compiling this selection from the speeches, biographical sketches, congressional testimony, and writing on education of Admiral Rickover. Their words are as relevant to engineers, managers, policy makers, and educators today as they were when the Father of Nuclear Power first wrote and spoke them." Henry Petroski, Professor, Duke University; author of An Engineer's Alphabet, To Forgive Design, and other books on engineering and design

"For those of us in the nuclear profession, the name of Admiral Rickover is synonymous with the Navy nuclear program and the basis for commercial nuclear power.  In reading this book, one can get a better understanding of Admiral Rickover's passion, vision, and drive.  His focus on engineering, responsibility, safety, and innovation come through loud and clear.  This is a great read for those who like to look behind the curtain on a great individual." Dale Klein, former chairman, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

"When listing the nuclear pioneers of our world, Hyman Rickover is seldom mentioned.  This book demonstrates that he belongs near the top of the list.  It was Rickover who deployed civilian nuclear power for the world." Eric Loewen, Chief Engineer at GE-Hitachi and former President of the American Nuclear Society

“Anyone interested in the nuclear industry, hoping to get an inside perspective, will not be disappointed with this book.” Gale Hauck Former chairman of the Young Members Group, American Nuclear Society
and nuclear engineer, Westinghouse.