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On Her Majesty's Nuclear Service
During the Cold War, nuclear submarines performed the greatest public service of prevention of a third world war. History shows that they succeeded; the Cold War ended peacefully, but for security reasons, only now can this story be told.
Eric Thompson is a career nuclear submarine officer who served from the first days of the Polaris missile boats until after the end of the Cold War. He joined the Navy in the last days of Empire, made his first sorties in World War II type submarines and ended up as the top engineer in charge of the Navy’s nuclear power plants. Along the way, he helped develop all manner of kit, from guided torpedoes to the Trident ballistic missile system. In this vivid personal account of his submarine operations, he reveals what it was like to literally have your finger on the nuclear button.
In his journey, the author leads the reader through top-secret submarine patrols, hush-hush scientific trials, underwater weapon developments, public relations battles with nuclear protesters, arm-wrestling with politicians, and the changing roles of women and homosexuals in the Navy. It is essentially a human story, rich in both drama and comedy, like the Russian spy trawler that played dance music at passing submarines. There was never a dull moment.
Behind the lighter moments was a deadly serious game. This, the inside story of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, reveals the secretive life of submarines and the men who served on them; they kept their watch, and by maintaining the threat of ‘Mutually Assured Destruction,’ helped keep Britain and the world safe.
Eric Thompson is a career nuclear submarine officer who served from the first days of the Polaris missile boats until after the end of the Cold War. He joined the Navy in the last days of Empire, made his first sorties in World War II type submarines and ended up as the top engineer in charge of the Navy’s nuclear power plants. Along the way, he helped develop all manner of kit, from guided torpedoes to the Trident ballistic missile system. In this vivid personal account of his submarine operations, he reveals what it was like to literally have your finger on the nuclear button.
In his journey, the author leads the reader through top-secret submarine patrols, hush-hush scientific trials, underwater weapon developments, public relations battles with nuclear protesters, arm-wrestling with politicians, and the changing roles of women and homosexuals in the Navy. It is essentially a human story, rich in both drama and comedy, like the Russian spy trawler that played dance music at passing submarines. There was never a dull moment.
Behind the lighter moments was a deadly serious game. This, the inside story of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, reveals the secretive life of submarines and the men who served on them; they kept their watch, and by maintaining the threat of ‘Mutually Assured Destruction,’ helped keep Britain and the world safe.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published April 19, 2018
38 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 10, 2018
Submariners are often asked how do you cope with life on a submarine? Eric Thompson has answered this question.
It is always difficult to write about one's career without bias. Eric Thompson has presented a level-headed view of life in the Royal Navy. For me, a dominating feature of this book is the number of hoops naval personnel have to jump through before being allowed into positions of responsibility. This, as ever, has to be balanced against ensuring that family life is also kept on an even keel. This is well documented in this comprehensive and entertaining naval autobiography.
It is always difficult to write about one's career without bias. Eric Thompson has presented a level-headed view of life in the Royal Navy. For me, a dominating feature of this book is the number of hoops naval personnel have to jump through before being allowed into positions of responsibility. This, as ever, has to be balanced against ensuring that family life is also kept on an even keel. This is well documented in this comprehensive and entertaining naval autobiography.
October 10, 2019
Well written account of a 37-year career in the Royal Navy with fascinating insight on the shift to nuclear powered submarines, the Polaris and later Trident programs interspersed with enjoyable sea stories and a personal touch. Highly recommended.
August 12, 2018
Many years back I read One of Our Submarines for the first time - the experiences of a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officer in submarines during World War Two. That lead to me visiting the Submarine Museum at the Portsmouth Historic Naval Dockyard (UK) which is very interesting (and includes the submarines Holland and Alliance which you can go round). I spotted this book in the museum shop (it's available on Amazon and the like too).
Just like One of Our Submarines it is clearly written, very informative and clear at a technical level without burying the reader in too much information and brings across the people of the next generation of the submarine service - during the Cold War.
The author is a career Naval officer who specialised in engineering covering both submarine's engines - diesel and nuclear - and torpedo development. It covers his career from training to retirement, working on conventional submarines, nuclear submarines, in research and development (primarily testing) and in dockyard postings in support of submarines.
He goes into the practical details of life in submarines including the really severe problems caused by a blockage in the toilet flushing system and has a wonderful analogy starting with the downstairs loo in a house, which really brings across the hazards of submarine life. Eric Thompson also likes practical jokes - not to the point of being dangerous - and mentions a few that he pulled which are truly hilarious. Very enjoyable book that can easily be read by a layman.
Just like One of Our Submarines it is clearly written, very informative and clear at a technical level without burying the reader in too much information and brings across the people of the next generation of the submarine service - during the Cold War.
The author is a career Naval officer who specialised in engineering covering both submarine's engines - diesel and nuclear - and torpedo development. It covers his career from training to retirement, working on conventional submarines, nuclear submarines, in research and development (primarily testing) and in dockyard postings in support of submarines.
He goes into the practical details of life in submarines including the really severe problems caused by a blockage in the toilet flushing system and has a wonderful analogy starting with the downstairs loo in a house, which really brings across the hazards of submarine life. Eric Thompson also likes practical jokes - not to the point of being dangerous - and mentions a few that he pulled which are truly hilarious. Very enjoyable book that can easily be read by a layman.
September 10, 2025
I purchased my copy of this book as a Kindle ebook from Amazon. I really struggled with whether to give this book three or four stars... It was pretty informative and entertaining for the first 2/3 or so - the portion of the book when the author recounted his introduction to the Royal Navy, his training, and his time spent serving on various submarines as an engineer. There are some interesting anecdotes about life on diesel-electric and nuclear subs in this portion, including a couple of hair-raising near-disasters caused by equipment failures. The author's description of his assignment to a team testing a prototype torpedo is also pretty interesting. But in the latter part of the book, covering the portion of the author's career when he had been promoted to higher rank and transferred to shore duties, the story was a lot less compelling - here it turns to anecdotes about bureaucracy, paperwork, dealing with discipline problems in the lower ranks, interpersonal issues, and politics/bickering in the command ranks. Less of this content would have earned the book a four-star rating.
December 6, 2020
Not What You’d Expect
Nuclear Service is not what you might expect. It is not a WWII saga of running silently under the Pacific. It is an honest, straightforward memoir of the Cold War by a young man who entered his country’s service to do his duty. Laced with humor Thompson relates his experiences on and in the hills and valleys of his career, the efforts made by career officers to keep the politicians on track to protect their country. It is not a tale sweat, grime and diesel fuel. But rather the quiet, silent service performed by the boomers Polaris and Trident to keep the world silent and peaceful. An interesting read detailing the typical career of a peace time submariner naval officer. Thank you for your service, Commodore.
Nuclear Service is not what you might expect. It is not a WWII saga of running silently under the Pacific. It is an honest, straightforward memoir of the Cold War by a young man who entered his country’s service to do his duty. Laced with humor Thompson relates his experiences on and in the hills and valleys of his career, the efforts made by career officers to keep the politicians on track to protect their country. It is not a tale sweat, grime and diesel fuel. But rather the quiet, silent service performed by the boomers Polaris and Trident to keep the world silent and peaceful. An interesting read detailing the typical career of a peace time submariner naval officer. Thank you for your service, Commodore.
October 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It's a frank and sometimes funny account of the author's career in the Royal Navy's submarine service. Unlike many other memoires from people who rose to high ranks in the military, the author conveys a sense of ordinariness about himself - he does not come across as someone whose abilities would have inspired awe! But clearly, having risen to the level he did, he had a certain something. He does come across as a bit of a nitwit at times, but also as someone capable of significant achievements and as a person it would be enjoyable to spend time with.
Definitely worth a read.
Definitely worth a read.
December 16, 2023
As a former Petty Officer onboard Submarines Resolution and Revenge back in 1971 If found this book very enjoyable and also funny in a lot of areas and it brought back a lot of memories from Faslane and living in married quarters in Churchill Estate. Life onboard was hard but enjoyable at times during our long 3 month patrols, our mindset had to be in the right place to cope with the separation and characters around us.
This book was an enjoyable account of an officers struggle to cope with the higher echolons thank you Sir.
This book was an enjoyable account of an officers struggle to cope with the higher echolons thank you Sir.
March 14, 2025
Heartfelt and well-told story of service to one’s nation
I read all the military biographies I can get my hands on and this stood out for it’s honesty and humanity. Many senior officer’s stories are whitewashed tales by company men; this is not one of them. Commodore Thompson admits to mistakes and relates his long career ti his nation with humility and grace. Most highly recommended.
I read all the military biographies I can get my hands on and this stood out for it’s honesty and humanity. Many senior officer’s stories are whitewashed tales by company men; this is not one of them. Commodore Thompson admits to mistakes and relates his long career ti his nation with humility and grace. Most highly recommended.
February 11, 2019
This isn’t a book I would normally choose of the shelf from the subject matter. It was written by a friend on my writers group though. Very interesting account of life working in nuclear submarines, which I had no idea about. Some fascinating stories and a good spattering of Eric’s wit, which has me laughing out loud on occasions.
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June 3, 2021Really Good
As an ex surface rating I never really thought very much about life and routine on the dark side, even more ,I never thought I would have anything interesting from the Wardroom , but this book had me interested right from the start, I feel a lot less ignorant than before, certain that I would never have made it in submarines, a fascinating read, thank you sir
As an ex surface rating I never really thought very much about life and routine on the dark side, even more ,I never thought I would have anything interesting from the Wardroom , but this book had me interested right from the start, I feel a lot less ignorant than before, certain that I would never have made it in submarines, a fascinating read, thank you sir
December 31, 2019
Fascinating account. Will be recommending to everyone at work (Australian Submarine Corporation).
September 9, 2020
This was a warts and all read about a secret service run by brave men full of history and sea tales, very rnjoyable
September 11, 2020
Outstanding. Wonderfully written balanced narrative.
November 23, 2020
This was great - informative and entertaining. I would love to go to the pub with the author
February 19, 2021
Compared to his previous books nothing to heavy was interesting and that learning bout submarines
April 22, 2023
Britain may be committed to destroying itself and its standing in the world, but at least it can consistently produce solid SSBN memoirs.
October 5, 2025
Excellent book
Having served in this nuclear age this book has given a in-depth of the side you don’t see as a rating on nuclear boats
Having served in this nuclear age this book has given a in-depth of the side you don’t see as a rating on nuclear boats
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews