Customer Reviews

The Ice Diaries: The True Story of One of Mankind's Greatest Adventures

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Having been blessed to be a crewman in US Nautilus on all three of her Arctic cruises, one in 1957 and two in 1958, with the last successfully gaining the North Pole, I'm familiar with all the details. However, it was such a pleasure to read our late skipper's recent and highly updated accounting of those wonderful days. Anderson's first book,'Nautilus 90 North', written just after the Polar trip of 1958 was also a great read, but of necessity, omitted much of the background information and intrigue that led up to all these trips, especially the 1957 trip. Capt. Anderson was one of the most remarkable and humble men I've ever had the privilege to know, and as was his nature, always put the interest of the crew and ship before himself. This is reflected in his writings and as I read 'Ice Diaries', I could hear his soft Tennasee accent speaking right off the pages. Anyone who has an interest in history, the sea, the Navy, or especially submarines, will enjoy this book. It is a complete accounting of our adventures across two years of under ice excursions and I highly recomend it. It should be on every school library shelf in the country. John C. Yuill

You might not think that an account of a real world event such as the first visit to the North Pole (and transit of the Arctic Ocean) with its outcome well known could be suspenseful and gripping. If so, you have not read "The Ice Diaries: The Untold Story of the USS Nautilus and the Cold War's Most Daring Mission" by William R. Anderson (the commander of Nautilus during that historic voyage) and Don Keith. Although the story has been told before, this time many previously classified aspects are explored in detail and perhaps for the first time the real nature of risks and daring are evident. Anderson and Keith describe the first two attempts to reach the Pole, both defeated by inexperience, faulty equipment, and sheer lack of knowledge of underwater Arctic conditions. But Anderson and the crew of Nautilus persevered and performed brilliantly to achieve not only reaching the Pole, but to cross all the way from the Pacific to the Atlantic in doing so. "The Ice Diaries" is a page-turner of the best sort. And it is pleasing to report that Anderson took great pains to make clear the contributions of everyone involved, although he remained modest about his own role. Fifty years afterwards, it may be difficult to realize what an extraordinary achievement it was, and the impact it had, both upon public opinion and on Cold War strategic thinking. The voyage of Nautilus from the Pacific to the Atlantic via the North Pole can justly stand alongside the Apollo moon missions as one of the greatest adventures of the Twentieth century made possible by evolving technology.

The Ice Diaries
The Untold Story of the Cold War's Most Daring Mission
By Captain William Anderson with Don Keith


Publisher Thomas Nelson
Pp
2008
Photos
Index




I looked at the dust jacket The Ice Diaries, The Untold Story of the Cold War's Most Daring Mission and it caught my eye. The reason I looked at it was very simple design a miniature submarine and the title and the author's name. I usually do not read many books about the United States let alone books dealing specifically with submarines. The book is about the Nautilus, its crew, and their two attempts and finally, the success of being the first nuclear submarine to go under the North Pole.


I have been aboard the Nautilus in Groton, Connecticut. It was the US Navy's first nuclear submarine and it was ahead of its time. When I toured the boat I noticed it was much bigger than World War II submarines. The interior of the Nautilus is clean and a great deal of the areas is stainless steel. The diagram on the tour guides shows all the areas except the nuclear power plant.

I took it for granted that submarines could go under the North Pole and could operate years with out refueling. I did not realize how difficult it was to do. The book Ice Diaries takes you back to the 1950's when the Russians were launching satellites and our own rockets were blowing up on the launch pad. The reader discovers President Eisenhower was behind the mission to go under the North Pole. He wanted to show the world that the United States had the ability to accomplish a technical challenge that no one else had done before.

Reading Ice Diaries, I learned that Admiral Rickover was initially opposed to the Nautilus going under the North Pole. The reader will feel the frustration of the two failed attempts and the success of the third mission. There was much riding on these voyages our national pride was at stake.
As a soldier, I learned how a submarine and crew work together as team. I know why the Nautilus was our premier sub and has been preserved for future generations. Ice Diaries is a very interesting book. I suggest you read the book and then visit the Nautilus in Groton, CT and you will understand what a crowning achievement this one submarine made in our history.


Eric Shuler
MAJ NJARNG (ret)

I had high hopes that Captain Anderson would be able to tell at last the full story of USS Nautilus and her truly amazing artic adventures. His first book, written almost contemporaneous with the event, "Nautilus 90 Degrees North" was understandably hampered by the need to protect classified capabilities that were then current. Unfortunately, "The Ice Diaries" turned out to be a slightly rewarmed version of the first book. While readable, it is a pretty bare-bones narrative, with no new insights into the personalities involved or the submarine culture. For those unfamiliar with the Nautilus story, it is is worth reading. For those versed in naval topics and submarine operations, it is a bit disappointing.

Well, Andy was the captain of the USS Wahoo (SS 565)when I reported abpoard her for duty in 1953. After I left her in 1955, he was ordered to the Nautilus where he was the second commanding officer. As literature the book is not great. But the story of the boat's submerged voyage under the North Pole is interesting. I had spent two weeks reserve duty on the Nautilus (which Andy helped to arrange for me)a few months before that arctic voyage.

This book will provide you an exclusive look and feel into the locked enviroment of a sub and it's crew as they attempted to transit the polar route. As only a submariner will note, other important achievements were made in their attempts to travel under the ice. (1)The Emergency Air Breathing System now known as EABs became a standard on all US Submarines. (2)The reinforced sail/superstructures from these mission attempts.
A great book that presents to the reader the hard work, dedication, talent and life of present day crew members currently on patrol.

F. Silvia
TRICCSMA Test Director ret.

I've always been fascinated with the technological achievements that nuclear submarines represent. But, I don't think I fully appreciated the difficulties that even these magnificent vessels faced in operating under the polar ice. This is a well written and detailed book, written from the personal observations of her skipper.

Not only the technical problems are explained, the political games that were integral to the success of the Nautilus are presented as well.

Terrific book, hard to put down.

As a teenager, I well remember the alarm raised by Sputnik in this country about the state of technological competition with the USSR. I didn't know that Nautilus' trip under the polar ice cap was a major move by President Isenhower to spotlight America's own technological prowess. Don Keith does a great job giving the real account of the many difficulties of the expedition that heighten a layman's awareness of the true significance of the achievement. In the course of the book I learned a lot about the eccentric but gifted father of the nuclear navy, Admiral Rickover and the early days of the nuclear program.

Though it is loaded with facts, the book still has the character of a very well told story.

ICE DIARIES is a slightly expanded version of Captain Anderson's 1958 book NAUTILUS 90 NORTH. Pictures and much of the text are identical.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Pioneering ship and crew. The engineering systems and training developed by the "Nautilus" became "std equip" for following generations of "nuke" subs. They were all heros! Smooth sailing!