Official Review: Super Nuke! by Charles Cranston Jett

Shelle · Post by **Shelle** » 25 May 2016, 11:13

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Super Nuke!" by Charles Cranston Jett.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Nuclear submarines are not things I've ever spent much time thinking about. I wasn't totally sure what made them nuclear or why they were even necessary for the military to use. I didn't understand the role they played in fighting (and winning) the Cold War. Fortunately, Super Nuke! a memoir by retired nuclear submariner Charles Cranston Jett, gave me a solid education in all things nuclear submarine related. I rated this book 4 out of 4 stars.

Author Charles Cranston Jett grew up far from the ocean in North and South Dakota and later graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964. He chose to continue his career under the ocean in a submarine. He went through years of submarine and nuclear power training before stepping aboard his first vessel and due to all that intense training, knew his role inside and out. He was an officer on the nuclear submarine, USS Ray, and served on three missions. During his service, the USS Ray monitored the North Atlantic Ocean, the Norwegian Sea, crossed the Arctic Circle, and played a chess-like game with Russian submarines. At times the tension and danger the submarine crew felt very nearly jumped off the page.

While most of the memoir is quite technical and scientific, there were some charming stories included. My favorites were the chance encounters the author had with U.S. Presidents, as well as the clever and unexpected way Charles and his bachelor Navy buddies convinced a group of college girls to be bridge partners. I also enjoyed all the jokes and light-hearted moments the submarine crew enjoyed together. These humorous stories made the author feel like a real person and not just a Navy robot. Although Super Nuke! spends quite a bit of time describing the technology involved in nuclear submarines, the author also included several appendices for readers who want even more detailed information. There are also many photographs and diagrams that help the reader better understand what the author is describing.

Overall, I thought this book was very well-written and I enjoyed it very much. It is obvious that the author loved his time serving on a nuclear submarine. The respect and admiration he has for his fellow crew members and officers was evident as well as his dedication to the submarine and equipment he worked with. I appreciated the thoroughness in which Charles Cranston Jett described the science and technology behind the submarine and its nuclear power plant. I definitely better understand how a nuclear submarine works and why the nuclear submarine program was an important part of American history. At times, the technical aspects can feel a bit dry and reminded me of a textbook, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

I would recommend Super Nuke! to anyone interested in military history, the history of the Cold War, nuclear power and engineering, or those who enjoy interesting memoirs. The author seems very genuine and the kind of guy you’d like to spend hours talking to over a few beers. Since we can’t all do that, I’m glad he wrote this memoir.

******
Super Nuke!
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CharlesCJett · Post by **CharlesCJett** » 25 May 2016, 13:13

Thank you, Shelle, for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed the book. You hinted at what my editor told me after she had completed her work. "It's really a love story, Charlie!" I guess she's right.

Vermont Reviews · Post by **Vermont Reviews** » 25 May 2016, 13:58

Absolutely wonderful review. Well written.

Vermont Reviews

Shelle · Post by **Shelle** » 25 May 2016, 15:44

CharlesCJett wrote:Thank you, Shelle, for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed the book. You hinted at what my editor told me after she had completed her work. "It's really a love story, Charlie!" I guess she's right.

I agree with your editor, it absolutely is a love story!
Thank you for your service and for sharing your experiences.

Post by **bookowlie** » 25 May 2016, 18:58

Great review! I like your comment that the author is the type of guy you would like to have a drink with. I think the best memoirs are where you feel like the two of you are old friends sitting out and talking.

Shelle · Post by **Shelle** » 25 May 2016, 23:01

bookowlie wrote:Great review! I like your comment that the author is the type of guy you would like to have a drink with. I think the best memoirs are where you feel like the two of you are old friends sitting out and talking.

I agree! I usually enjoy memoirs more if I could see myself being friends with the author, as I did while reading this one.

CharlesCJett · Post by **CharlesCJett** » 26 May 2016, 06:12

Hey - I'll buy a round of beers anytime!

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 31 May 2016, 08:20

What a lovely review, Shelle! This sounds like a wonderful book to learn about a new topic (because I don't really know much about nuclear submarines and such). The author's writing style seems like one that would suit me as well!
Congratulations to Mr. Charles Cranston Jett for receiving such a glowing review and for sharing his story.