The Complete Idiot's Guide to Submarines (The Complete Idiot's Guide)by Michael DiMercurio
'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Submarines' is a well-researched book filled with sound information and advice. Michael DiMercurio explains technical terms with non-technical language, allowing the novice reader to comprehend. Underwater routine is detailed and the complex series of procedures essential for safety and survival is revealed with clarity.
I sent DiMercurio’s book to my friend, George W Bush, because I knew of the President’s passion for the vessels following the 2005 US Navy Week celebrations. Two paragraphs of George’s reply letter are worth citing;
‘If I’d read a few pages before my cabinet and I went out on the USS Dan Quayle with the Chief of Naval Operations, things might have been different. Let’s face it; I’d never been in a submarine before so when Rear Admiral Peckerstaff shouted, ‘Go down, Mr President!’, I jumped back then knocked the old fool cold. No rear admiralling on my watch, thank you very much! He came to just as Donald Rumsfeld was shoving him into a torpedo tube. The CIA's latest satellite reports had him bouncing off icebergs somewhere in the Black Sea.
And the other incident wasn’t my fault because I acted on flawed advice. I’m hopeless at math, so when the captain requested our position, I asked Colin Powell for help. He was too busy giggling as he drew Japanese faces on the periscope dial so Condoleezza Rice leaned in and whispered, ‘Mr President, finding our position is easy. Open the lid and look.’ So I did. Talk about wet-behind-the-ears! But like any responsible commander-in-chief, I stayed till every crew member was safe on the surface. Fortunately, my board shorts then caught an air bubble and I floated to the top. Laura and I still laugh about it.’
I sent DiMercurio’s book to my friend, George W Bush, because I knew of the President’s passion for the vessels following the 2005 US Navy Week celebrations. Two paragraphs of George’s reply letter are worth citing;
‘If I’d read a few pages before my cabinet and I went out on the USS Dan Quayle with the Chief of Naval Operations, things might have been different. Let’s face it; I’d never been in a submarine before so when Rear Admiral Peckerstaff shouted, ‘Go down, Mr President!’, I jumped back then knocked the old fool cold. No rear admiralling on my watch, thank you very much! He came to just as Donald Rumsfeld was shoving him into a torpedo tube. The CIA's latest satellite reports had him bouncing off icebergs somewhere in the Black Sea.
And the other incident wasn’t my fault because I acted on flawed advice. I’m hopeless at math, so when the captain requested our position, I asked Colin Powell for help. He was too busy giggling as he drew Japanese faces on the periscope dial so Condoleezza Rice leaned in and whispered, ‘Mr President, finding our position is easy. Open the lid and look.’ So I did. Talk about wet-behind-the-ears! But like any responsible commander-in-chief, I stayed till every crew member was safe on the surface. Fortunately, my board shorts then caught an air bubble and I floated to the top. Laura and I still laugh about it.’
I read this book till I stopped.
