Sŭbmarine-ër: 30 Years of Hijinks & Keeping the Fleet Afloat
Lieutenant Commander Jerry Pait’s bestselling semi-autobiographical collection of sixty stories recounts his thirty years in and around the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. Ranging from light-hearted to wrenching, all are poignant inside looks at naval operations rarely seen by outsiders. Topics include the real story behind the shuttle Challenger tragedy, risking his own life underwater, discovering a Soviet spy living across the street, surviving when a DELTA Rocket engine ignites, critical missions, and the everyday lives of men and women of the fleet. Dive into Sŭbmarine-ër for hijinks and breathtaking adventure with this poignant memoir by a true American hero.
The book was written by Jerry Pait and edited and compiled by Robert G. Williscroft.
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Praise for Operation Ivy Bells
Over the past few decades action-adventure stories about submarines and diving have become a popular genre. Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler come to mind as exemplars. But Robert Williscroft really raises the bar with this book. Not only is he an outstanding writer but he is also a 'doer,' having participated in the events described in Operation Ivy Bells.
- Navy Capt. Don Walsh, PhD
First Skipper of the Bathyscaph Trieste
Magnificently written! A powerful and riveting account of the cold war fought beneath the oceans by the world’s most famous enemies. Bristles with the same hair-raising authenticity that launched The Hunt for Red October to world notoriety. The factual and detailed descriptions are so realistic they submerge you deep in the ocean depths and make you feel a part of the sub’s crew on a remarkable mission told by veteran submariner, Robert Williscroft, who details an almost unimaginable war of nerves under the most trying conditions, and of the men who possess the incredible capabilities to carry out this mission.
- Martin H. Bloom, President
The Adventurers’ Club of Los Angeles
Robert Williscroft has produced quite a sea story, a colorful and enjoyable work that explains one of the little-known successes of the cold war, with plenty of fascinating detail about submarine and diving operations.
- Tom Bowman
NPR Pentagon Reporter
Cold war veterans will love this exciting submarine adventure! Dr. Williscroft brings readers along for a thrilling odyssey in which engaging characters experience the danger, passion and complexity of the underwater warrior’s world!
- Navy Capt. Kathleen Hoff
Arctic Explorer
An exciting look into Cold War submarine espionage...I was completely riveted to the book’s suspense and action...amazingly based on true events. It was incredible to read about isolated, underwater hand-to-hand battles that took place in secret during the Cold War... Highly recommend!
- Marc Weitz, Past President
The Adventurers’ Club of Los Angeles
A great story...the author has done the essential, crafting a narrative that yanked me out of my seat like the big squid! I was grabbed!!! This is what they call a break-out book...
- Ed Offley, Author of Scorpion Down,
The Burning Shore & Turning the Tide
For those who have an interest in cold war secrets this is a must read. Some minor details and names have been changed, but most of it is pretty close to the real deal...Close as you can get without going to jail. My source of information? Memory – I was an Ivy Bells submariner.
- A USS Seawolf Sailor
