New in the Library
Thanks to the generosity of Bob Robison, a literary agent in Nashville, TN, several books have been added to the AIMM / USSVI Library:
New to the library is The Ice Diaries, "the untold story of USS Nautilus and the Cold War's most daring mission." Fifty years ago, in 1958, USS Nautilus (SSN-571), the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, made a historic under-ice transpolar crossing, traveling from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and passing directly over the North Pole while submerged. This journey, at the height of the Cold War, demonstrated both America's technological prowess and her military power at the same time.
Shortly after the successful completion of this mission, Captain Anderson, Commanding Officer of USS Nautilus, along with naval historian Clay Blair, wrote the very successful book Nautilus 90 North. A New York Times bestseller, the book was distributed worldwide and translated into many different languages. However, as Captain Anderson writes in this new book,
"Over the years, it became more and more apparent that if viewed as a historical account, our book had significant shortcomings. Now I am able to tell the full story of how Nautilus and her fine crew literally broke the ice on Arctic Ocean exploration by a nuclear submarine."
This new book expands on Captain Anderson's earlier work, revealing many details that have only recently, with the passage of time, been declassified. He provides previously unknown background information about, not just the historic mission, but also the development of Nautilus herself. He also provides important "behind-the-scenes" context to the mission.
Other books donated by Mr. Robison include:
- Final Bearing, a novel by George Wallace and Don Keith
- Final Patrol, by Don Keith
- Gallant Lady, "a Biography of USS Archerfish (SS-311)" by Ken Henry & Don Keith
- In the Course of Duty, "the Heroic Mission of USS Batfish (SS-310)" by Don Keith