Big Red: Three Months on Board a Trident Nuclear Submarine

For so many young men, submarines are the things of fancy - objects of awe that create dreams. Many people are members of the Submarine corps, but for those of us that are not, we have to rely on people like Douglas Waller to help us understand all that goes on during a "regular" patrol. Waller was granted uncommon access to spend a patrol on board the USS Nebraska (SSBN-739), and gives us a wonderful account of those three months. Starting with the challenging departure from home port (this particular submarine is not based at a shore port like some ships; instead, it is based slightly inland, which requires travel down a lengthy channel before reaching the ocean), Waller engrosses the reader from page one. I enjoyed the entire book - I felt as though Waller was giving me the opportunity to spend three months on patrol (although I did it in a few days, reading through the 400+ pages that he has written for us). I never once found myself wanting less - I do not think that he included any non-relevant information or extraneous details. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of how tough the life of a submariner can be, and why these men demand our ultimate respect. Three months sitting underwater with virtually no human contact except for your shipmates must play havoc with a sailors' psyche, but they all perform admirably. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the United States Naval Submarine Corps.

As a former submariner on U.S. fast attack submarines, I was skeptical as to how accurate this book could be. I was hooked before the end of the first chapter -- in fact, I was blown out of the water, pardon the pun. The author must have not only gotten immense cooperation from the navy, but also from many of the sailors. The level of candor in this book is unparalleled. The book started to read like a glowing review of submarines, where no one was less than 100% gung-ho navy. But you soon start to see some of the attitudes of real people -- not everyone is happy in their job, many people become exhausted, lonely, and scared -- it's not all medals and photo opportunities. I can't wait to have my family and friends read this book -- it discusses the life I had lived in subs in detail and clarity that I could never hope to achieve -- you won't get a more accurate picture without signing on the dotted line.

I finished this book wanting to read more. As I read the part about the simulated launch of the missiles, I was chilled to the bone about what would happen if they had to be launched for real. I have a better apreciation of the Navy, especially its submarine service, because now I know that it is in excellent hands.

Big RedThree Months On BoardA Trident Nuclear SubmarineBy Douglas C. WallerHarper Collins Doug Waller is probably the best military writer alive today in the non-fiction category. His earlier book, "Air Warriors: The Inside Story of the Making of a Navy Pilot," was must reading for anyone who has the slightest interest in military aviation. Now he's come out with a fascinating 330-page insider's report on another aspect of the military spectrum. It's called "Big Red" because "Red" is the USS Nebraska, SSBN-739, a top secret "boomer," a nuclear-powered, long-range, ICBM-carrying undersea warship which patrols silently and secretly for up to three months at a time. Somehow, Waller persuaded the Navy brass to let him ride along on a three month patrol and write down what he saw and heard. In this book, you'll find out that the nuclear threat portrayed in the popular film "Crimson Tide" couldn't happen, and why. You'll also learn that boomer sailors may be among the hardest working crews ever to take to sea; in the modern Navy, anyway. For 90 days, they exist on 18 hours days, of which 12 of those are either standing watch, working their specialty, studying, practicing, eating or reading manuals. In between, there are drills, drills and more drills. From battle stations to man overboard to launching missiles to fire in the torpedo section, sub sailors are constantly called upon to perfect their craft. All this without even a window to look out of. What possesses a man to seal himself inside of a metal tube for 90 days, twice a year, out of touch and out of reach of family, friends and loved ones, only to face endless seven-day weeks of training, studying, drilling and worse - with no privacy? Isn't it like being in prison with the possibility of drowning? After you spent time with Big Red, you'll better understand these modern heroes and feel a lot more secure about whose fingers are on the nuclear buttons. Waller's writing is fast-paced, conversational and fun to read. An amazing book.

Waller has done it again. I was a big fan of his previous boook "Commando's", and was not dissapointed one bit in this book. The book gives the reader tons of info about life on the Nebraska, while showing the human side of the men who operate this deadly weapon. Only Bowden (Black Hawk Down), and Waller can show our present day Armed Forces as real people, who give up so much in the name of their Country. This book was a very quick and enjoyable read, it puts some much needed fact in an area that has so much fiction.