About the Author

Eric Thompson was born in Scotland during the Second World War. He won a scholarship to Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth at sixteen, was streamed as an Engineer Officer, volunteered for submarines and thirty-seven years later retired as Commodore of Britain's principal nuclear submarine base at Faslane. A creature of the Cold War, he served in five submarines, two squadrons, the staff of Submarine HQ and the Ministry of Defence. In addition to being a nuclear propulsion specialist, he took a Masters degree in Acoustics and became a lead officer in the ultra-secret world of underwater warfare and stealth technology. His MBE was awarded for leadership during a submarine emergency on patrol.

Reviews

Overall, I would thoroughly recommend the book. It was an interesting, sometimes thought provoking, but above all an entertaining read.
*Nuclear Future*

A revealing book and essential reading for those wanting to understand the chilling detail of how Britain's nuclear deterrent is operated.
*Britain at War Magazine*

It is written in a delightfully understated, humourous style with some quirky turns of phrase, which forms an unusual didactic prose but nevertheless makes it an absorbing read.
*Scuttlebutt*

This is a recommended read for anyone with an interest in the naval, social and political history of the second half of the Twentieth Century.
*Naval Officers Club Newsletter*

…an engaging, thoroughly entertaining read, which also serves up contemplation (and education) about the unthinkable.
*Warships International*

One wonders now if the "mutually assured destruction" threat has any real meaning with respect to Britain's nuclear deterrent. Fascinating slice of cold war history.
*Books Monthly*

After so often reading of accidents and problems afflicting Britain's nuclear submarine fleet in often sensationalised articles in the general media, it is refreshing to learn what really happens directly from a knowledgeable and reliable source.
*Baird Maritime*

This is a compelling story of a man’s life with high, lows and plenty of humour. Another recommended read for anyone interested in submarines, life in the navy or the Cold War period.
*ORCA Master Account - DO NOT USE*

Listed in Military History Monthly's round up of the best military history titles for May 2018.
*Military History Matters (Reviewer)*