| Description |
x, 310 pages ; 22 cm. |
| Series |
Jewish lives |
|
Jewish lives (New Haven, Conn.)
|
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
Introduction: Something new in the world -- The lucky bag -- Mastering power -- The two hats -- Richover made us do it -- Another Dreyfus case? -- Underway on nuclear power -- Atoms for peace -- Nautilus 90 North -- Education and freedom -- A different kind of man -- The chair with the short legs -- The Crusade -- Ships and horse turds -- The longest-serving officer -- Epilogue: like falling in love. |
| Summary |
"Hyman George Rickover (1900-1986), born Chaim Godalia Rykover in the Polish shtetl of Maków-Mazowiecki in czarist Russia at the dawn of the 20th century, was an almost mythical figure in the United States Navy. A man of ferocious will, engineering brilliance, combative personality, and indefatigable work ethic, he personally oversaw the development of nuclear marine propulsion. During his thirty-five years as chief of Nuclear Reactors, Rickover abolished rank and uniform, insisting that "there is no hierarchy in matters of the mind." His disdain for naval regulations, indifference to the chain of command, and harsh, insulting language earned him enemies in the Navy, but his record of safety was unparalleled. From the launch of the U.S.S. Nautilus in 1954 to today, the U.S. nuclear Navy has never experienced an incident resulting in uncontrolled radiation release. Rickover oversaw numerous shipyards, nuclear laboratories, and a nuclear power school where he personally selected 5,000 officers for nuclear power training. Beyond Nuclear Reactors, Rickover drove a wholesale transformation of the faculty and curriculum at the U.S. Naval Academy, with academic ability and achievement in technical and scientific disciplines displacing traditional prerequisites for military leadership. Rickover's transformation of the United States Navy almost never took place. From his entrance into the U.S. Naval Academy in 1918, the service constantly tried to shake itself free of him - he persevered against anti-Semitism, promotion denials, and even a requirement to retire. Wortman explores the constant conflict Rickover faced and created, tracing how he ultimately ascended to the rank of four-star Admiral and revolutionized the Navy"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Subject |
Rickover, Hyman George.
|
|
Admirals -- United States -- Biography.
|
|
Marine engineers -- United States -- Biography.
|
|
Nuclear submarines -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
|
|
United States. Navy -- Officers -- Biography.
|
|
Rickover, Hyman George. (OCoLC)fst00015697
|
|
Admirals. (OCoLC)fst00796937
|
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Marine engineers. (OCoLC)fst01009556
|
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Nuclear submarines. (OCoLC)fst01040908
|
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United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
|
| Chronological Term |
1900-1999
|
| Genre/Form |
Biography. (DNLM)D019215
|
|
Biographies. (OCoLC)fst01919896
|
|
History. (OCoLC)fst01411628
|
|
Biographies.
|
| ISBN |
9780300243109 (hardcover) |
|
0300243103 (hardcover) |
|
