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Under Pressure: Life on a Submarine
‘One of the finest memoirs published in recent years.’ Dan Jones
‘An utterly fascinating and wonderfully detailed insight into the hidden world of the modern submarine.’ James Holland
A candid, visceral, and incredibly entertaining account of what it’s like to live in one of the most extreme environments in the world.
Imagine a world without natural light, where you can barely stand up straight for fear of knocking your head, where you have no idea of where in the world you are or what time of day it is, where you sleep in a coffin-sized bunk and sometimes eat a full roast for breakfast.
Now imagine sharing that world with 140 other sweaty bodies, crammed into a 430ft x 33ft steel tube, 300ft underwater, for up to 90 days at a time, with no possibility of escape. And to top it off, a sizeable chunk of your living space is taken up by the most formidably destructive nuclear weapons history has ever known. This is the world of the submariner. This is life under pressure.
As a restless and adventurous 18-year-old, Richard Humphreys joined the submarine service in 1985 and went on to serve aboard the nuclear deterrent for five years at the end of the Cold War. Nothing could have prepared him for life beneath the waves. Aside from the claustrophobia and disorientation, there were the prolonged periods of boredom, the constant dread of discovery by the Soviets, and the smorgasbord of rank odours that only a group of poorly-washed and flatulent submariners can unleash.
But even in this most pressurised of environments, the consolations were unique: where else could you sit peacefully for hours listening to whale song, or…
Based on first-hand experience, Under Pressure is the candid, visceral and incredibly entertaining account of what it’s like to live, work, sleep, eat – and stay sane – in one of the most extreme man-made environments on the planet.
‘An utterly fascinating and wonderfully detailed insight into the hidden world of the modern submarine.’ James Holland
A candid, visceral, and incredibly entertaining account of what it’s like to live in one of the most extreme environments in the world.
Imagine a world without natural light, where you can barely stand up straight for fear of knocking your head, where you have no idea of where in the world you are or what time of day it is, where you sleep in a coffin-sized bunk and sometimes eat a full roast for breakfast.
Now imagine sharing that world with 140 other sweaty bodies, crammed into a 430ft x 33ft steel tube, 300ft underwater, for up to 90 days at a time, with no possibility of escape. And to top it off, a sizeable chunk of your living space is taken up by the most formidably destructive nuclear weapons history has ever known. This is the world of the submariner. This is life under pressure.
As a restless and adventurous 18-year-old, Richard Humphreys joined the submarine service in 1985 and went on to serve aboard the nuclear deterrent for five years at the end of the Cold War. Nothing could have prepared him for life beneath the waves. Aside from the claustrophobia and disorientation, there were the prolonged periods of boredom, the constant dread of discovery by the Soviets, and the smorgasbord of rank odours that only a group of poorly-washed and flatulent submariners can unleash.
But even in this most pressurised of environments, the consolations were unique: where else could you sit peacefully for hours listening to whale song, or…
Based on first-hand experience, Under Pressure is the candid, visceral and incredibly entertaining account of what it’s like to live, work, sleep, eat – and stay sane – in one of the most extreme man-made environments on the planet.
320 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2020
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About the author
Richard Humphreys
2 books18 followersRichard Humphreys has been a bookseller for over 20 years. In 2017, he sat on the judging panel of the prestigious Costa Awards for Best Biography.
From 1985 to 1990, Richard served in the Royal Navy and spent his career on the Polaris submarines, which carried nuclear ballistic missiles. Under Pressure is his first book. He lives with his family in London. (source: HarperCollins)
From 1985 to 1990, Richard served in the Royal Navy and spent his career on the Polaris submarines, which carried nuclear ballistic missiles. Under Pressure is his first book. He lives with his family in London. (source: HarperCollins)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 18, 2019
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to spend time aboard a submarine then wonder no more. In this biography, Richard Humphreys gives us a no holds barred look at exactly what it entails - in addition, this was no ordinary submarine but a nuclear powered submarine carrying out deterrence patrols during the Cold War. It goes without saying that this was a very dangerous assignment considering the payload it carried, and not only were they responsible for acting as a deterrent to the Soviet Union, and had to be ready to launch nuclear missiles 24/7, but they also had to remain undetected by their Soviet counterparts.
Over 140 men crammed into the artificially lit, claustrophobic confines of a submarine for months on end, with extremely small sleeping areas that made bunks feel like coffins....shudder - My worst nightmare!
Humphreys certainly provides a detailed and down to earth account of how it felt to live and work in this unique environment, and he also tells of many raucous, booze fuelled nights whilst enjoying shore leave - hardly surprising really, all that pent up emotion had to be expended somehow!
I really enjoyed reading about the training course that the author had to undergo to join this elite service, and also descriptions of life on board, and the fact that the excellent food was one of the few things that they had to look forward to, though that could mean eating a roast dinner at breakfast time! One of the things that Humphreys found really special onboard, was listening to the haunting sound of whale song. Though I found some of the details a little technical for me personally, it was still an interesting read.
*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
Over 140 men crammed into the artificially lit, claustrophobic confines of a submarine for months on end, with extremely small sleeping areas that made bunks feel like coffins....shudder - My worst nightmare!
Humphreys certainly provides a detailed and down to earth account of how it felt to live and work in this unique environment, and he also tells of many raucous, booze fuelled nights whilst enjoying shore leave - hardly surprising really, all that pent up emotion had to be expended somehow!
I really enjoyed reading about the training course that the author had to undergo to join this elite service, and also descriptions of life on board, and the fact that the excellent food was one of the few things that they had to look forward to, though that could mean eating a roast dinner at breakfast time! One of the things that Humphreys found really special onboard, was listening to the haunting sound of whale song. Though I found some of the details a little technical for me personally, it was still an interesting read.
*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
October 29, 2021
Seeking adventure, Humphreys tried to join the French Foreign Legion, but was turned away because he was too young and couldn't get his parents' permission. When he got a little older the Navy seemed a good alternative and the submarine force, as an elite, even more attractive. This is a skeptical and clear-eyed look at the process of becoming a submariner and what it was like to live and work in a submarine.
After some rather harrowing training, he discovered that leaving port in a submarine during rough seas (the best time to remain hidden), leads to rather extreme sea-sickness and given the fetid air the boat soon filled with everyone's previous meal. Life on board was boring, claustrophobic, all-consuming, and nerve-wracking, all at the same time. Amusingly, one of the most frequent questions asked by visitors to the boat, was "Where are the windows? How do you know where you are going?"
Circadian rhythms get completely discombobulated with watches on a 4-on, 8-off cycle, no natural light (high intensity lights are on all the time), no sunrise or sunset and never knowing whether it's morning or night except by the clock. That leads to instability and being thrown together with people you may not like, for months at a time, becomes another source of tension.
Humphreys finishes the book with a meditation on MAD. As he says earlier on, one misstep and its WW III that no one wins. If you have any interest at all in what it's like to be an ordinary seaman on a nuclear sub, then this is the book for you. Expect some claustrophobia.
After some rather harrowing training, he discovered that leaving port in a submarine during rough seas (the best time to remain hidden), leads to rather extreme sea-sickness and given the fetid air the boat soon filled with everyone's previous meal. Life on board was boring, claustrophobic, all-consuming, and nerve-wracking, all at the same time. Amusingly, one of the most frequent questions asked by visitors to the boat, was "Where are the windows? How do you know where you are going?"
Circadian rhythms get completely discombobulated with watches on a 4-on, 8-off cycle, no natural light (high intensity lights are on all the time), no sunrise or sunset and never knowing whether it's morning or night except by the clock. That leads to instability and being thrown together with people you may not like, for months at a time, becomes another source of tension.
Humphreys finishes the book with a meditation on MAD. As he says earlier on, one misstep and its WW III that no one wins. If you have any interest at all in what it's like to be an ordinary seaman on a nuclear sub, then this is the book for you. Expect some claustrophobia.
July 24, 2019
A vivid no holds barred account of life on a Polaris nuclear sub during the Cold War.
The author joined the submarine service in 1985 and went on to serve aboard the UK nuclear deterrent for five years at the end of the Cold War.
He describes the claustrophobia, disorientation and prolonged periods of boredom, as well as periods of high tension with possible discovery by the Soviets and the regular rehearsals for Armageddon.
There are vivid descriptions of his first days aboard, learning the ropes to get the sought after “Dolphins” submariner qualification, plus the impact of sharing a 430ft x 33ft steel tube, 300ft underwater, for up to 90 days at a time with 140 other sweaty bodies.
This is raw and candid, account, that won’t be for everyone’s taste, but it really does help you understand why it’s a rare breed who can live, work, sleep, eat – and stay sane – in one of the most extreme man-made environments on the planet.
A must for your submarine shelf.
The author joined the submarine service in 1985 and went on to serve aboard the UK nuclear deterrent for five years at the end of the Cold War.
He describes the claustrophobia, disorientation and prolonged periods of boredom, as well as periods of high tension with possible discovery by the Soviets and the regular rehearsals for Armageddon.
There are vivid descriptions of his first days aboard, learning the ropes to get the sought after “Dolphins” submariner qualification, plus the impact of sharing a 430ft x 33ft steel tube, 300ft underwater, for up to 90 days at a time with 140 other sweaty bodies.
This is raw and candid, account, that won’t be for everyone’s taste, but it really does help you understand why it’s a rare breed who can live, work, sleep, eat – and stay sane – in one of the most extreme man-made environments on the planet.
A must for your submarine shelf.
October 4, 2021
This book was quite interesting to a point. I read this after attempting to read another submarine book which was full of typos (I gave up reading that after chapter one). On the plus side, Humphreys can string a sentence together and he has accurately described the inside of a sub. Unfortunately there are no funny anecdotes other than someone inadvertently swearing at Maggie Thatcher through a hatch. There are no war stories or mishaps, and no real engagement with the author’s sub buddies. All I really got from this book was that I’m pleased I didn’t choose a career as a submariner but respect those that can put up with 3 months under the sea in a tin can, breathing recycled air, and when they’ve returned, they have no clue where they’ve been! Join the navy, see the world, unless you join the silent service.
October 8, 2023
"There are innumerable fine lines between life and death when operating in one of the most testing environments the world has to offer, where one wrong move can almost instantly bring chaos and disaster..."
Under Pressure: Life on a Submarine was an interesting read. As the book's title promises, it is pretty much a day-to-day account of life aboard a nuclear submarine.
Author Richard Humphreys has been a bookseller for over twenty years. In 2017, he sat on the judging panel of the prestigious Costa Awards for Best Biography. From 1985 to 1990, Richard served in the Royal Navy and spent his career on the Polaris submarines, which carried nuclear ballistic missiles. Under Pressure is his first book. He lives with his family in London.
Richard Humphreys:
The book gets off on a good foot, with a somewhat lively and well-written intro. Humphreys writes in a manner-of-fact, no-frills manner here that shouldn't have trouble holding the reader's attention.
He says this about his service, and the book:
In alignment with the quote above, some more of what Humphreys talks about here includes:
• Training for submarine service
• Daily life aboard the sub
• The challenges of living on a sub
• The effects of no day-night cycle and natural light
• Communication with the surface world
• Food
• Booze, smoking, porn
********************
Under Pressure was a nice change from the books I typically read.
4 stars.
Under Pressure: Life on a Submarine was an interesting read. As the book's title promises, it is pretty much a day-to-day account of life aboard a nuclear submarine.
Author Richard Humphreys has been a bookseller for over twenty years. In 2017, he sat on the judging panel of the prestigious Costa Awards for Best Biography. From 1985 to 1990, Richard served in the Royal Navy and spent his career on the Polaris submarines, which carried nuclear ballistic missiles. Under Pressure is his first book. He lives with his family in London.
Richard Humphreys:
The book gets off on a good foot, with a somewhat lively and well-written intro. Humphreys writes in a manner-of-fact, no-frills manner here that shouldn't have trouble holding the reader's attention.
He says this about his service, and the book:
"At the age of 18, in the mid-1980s, I became a member of an elite group who served aboard Britain’s nuclear deterrent, continuing my service for thenfollowing five years, while the Cold War was still hot and nuclear confrontation seemed scarily imaginable. In the 30 years since I left the Navy, submarine living and operating have remained fundamentally the same, although the creature comforts – including email, laptops, PlayStations and other products of the digital age – mean that some aspects are possibly easier now than they were during our stand-off with the Soviet Union.
I hope that what you are about to read will go a little way towards explaining the raw, real-life experience of what it’s like to spend prolonged periods of time on a submarine. I’ve tried not to focus on the military aspects, although by necessity some of these will come into the story, but have rather concentrated on how it feels to live day-to-day in this claustrophobic, man-made environment, describing the pressures it exerts on both one’s mind and body.
This is a book about life lived at the extremes, and there are few more extreme situations than living underwater in what is effectively a giant, elongated – if beautifully streamlined – steel tin can. I hope that it informs, shocks, excites and entertains, and that it moves you, the reader, to spare a thought for the brave men and women who at any given moment are patrolling the world’s waters, keeping their silent vigils."
In alignment with the quote above, some more of what Humphreys talks about here includes:
• Training for submarine service
• Daily life aboard the sub
• The challenges of living on a sub
• The effects of no day-night cycle and natural light
• Communication with the surface world
• Food
• Booze, smoking, porn
********************
Under Pressure was a nice change from the books I typically read.
4 stars.
September 12, 2022
Flying as a method of transport is not the most thrilling way of moving around the world. You are stuck in a metal tube, but not for long and you do get to look out the window. The thought of being cooped up in a black metal tube, an unspecified depth under the sea for months at a time has no appeal at all.
But this is what the elite submariners do day in, day out in the oceans of the world for us. They have a fixed day, not one clue where they are and have no personal space and bugger all privacy. They are crammed into a 430ft x 33ft steel tube with 140 other smelly sweaty bodies and need to be able to work under pressure constantly. If that isn’t enough, there are nuclear weapons on board and it is powered by a reactor…
Richard Humphrey’s joined when he was 18 and served at the end of the 1980s. It was this time when no one knew if the cold war would suddenly go hot. The threat of being discovered by the Soviets was a real and the thought would chill his bones regularly.
My father was in the Navy and joined at the age of 15. When I was younger he tried to persuade me to sign up too, but it had no appeal at all. He never went into submarines, staying above the waves for a number of years. Having read this I think that I made the correct decision. In Under Pressure, Humphrey’s account of his time spent deep in the Atlantic Ocean has a lot to commend it. To begin with, you don’t have to go down in one of those boats and he gives a fairly decent account of life under the waves.
The balance of detail and atmosphere is about right too, I guess a certain amount has been withheld from the narrative as these are part of our nuclear security, but he is an entertaining writer. He is honest too, telling what he liked about this career and the part of navy life that he detested. There were even certain parts that made me laugh. If you have ever considered the submarine service, or want confirmation that this is never going to be for you, then you should read this.
But this is what the elite submariners do day in, day out in the oceans of the world for us. They have a fixed day, not one clue where they are and have no personal space and bugger all privacy. They are crammed into a 430ft x 33ft steel tube with 140 other smelly sweaty bodies and need to be able to work under pressure constantly. If that isn’t enough, there are nuclear weapons on board and it is powered by a reactor…
Richard Humphrey’s joined when he was 18 and served at the end of the 1980s. It was this time when no one knew if the cold war would suddenly go hot. The threat of being discovered by the Soviets was a real and the thought would chill his bones regularly.
My father was in the Navy and joined at the age of 15. When I was younger he tried to persuade me to sign up too, but it had no appeal at all. He never went into submarines, staying above the waves for a number of years. Having read this I think that I made the correct decision. In Under Pressure, Humphrey’s account of his time spent deep in the Atlantic Ocean has a lot to commend it. To begin with, you don’t have to go down in one of those boats and he gives a fairly decent account of life under the waves.
The balance of detail and atmosphere is about right too, I guess a certain amount has been withheld from the narrative as these are part of our nuclear security, but he is an entertaining writer. He is honest too, telling what he liked about this career and the part of navy life that he detested. There were even certain parts that made me laugh. If you have ever considered the submarine service, or want confirmation that this is never going to be for you, then you should read this.
August 28, 2020
3.5/5, rounded up to 4
It was a great read, but a little too repetitive at times, which is why it was 3.5 instead of four, but still, so fascinating and unique. It’s not every day someone shared their experiences of working on a submarine and I thought the author did a great job with explaining terms and painting a picture for us all of his experiences.
Definitely had a few chuckles while reading this. Just thought it could be repetitive at times.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
It was a great read, but a little too repetitive at times, which is why it was 3.5 instead of four, but still, so fascinating and unique. It’s not every day someone shared their experiences of working on a submarine and I thought the author did a great job with explaining terms and painting a picture for us all of his experiences.
Definitely had a few chuckles while reading this. Just thought it could be repetitive at times.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
February 11, 2024
Really enjoyable book and a great insight into the demands and stresses of living and working on a nuclear submarine for months on end. There was a surprising amount of humour which kept it refreshing and the only negative I found was it began to become a little repetitive in the final few chapters however, this was very minor and did not take away from my enjoyment of the book!
April 25, 2024
A pretty good book about the author’s time spent on a nuclear submarine during the cold war. I liked that it kept a fun informal tone while also being informative.
February 24, 2022
Brits make the best military biography authors. The book is written with down-to-earth attitude and a complete lack of jingoism. There's no war stories here, instead a detailed description what it is like when you spend 3 months under the sea in a metal tube with a hundred other men.
August 15, 2021
The son of working-class British parents, Humphreys was bright enough to win a scholarship, but the experience of an English public school convinced him that a life of adventure trumped education. After an unsuccessful attempt at professional soccer and rejection from the French Foreign Legion at age 17, he joined the Royal Navy in 1985. Britain’s fleets no longer ruled the sea, but the country did possess four Polaris missile–firing nuclear submarines. Before beginning five years of service, Humphreys experienced basic training, which “is pretty consistent across the armed forces,” involving ceremony, interminable drills, draconian inspections, and staff dedicated “to making your life a misery.” Being fit and a veteran of public school bullying, he made it through mostly unscathed, and he delivers much wry commentary. Moving on, Humphreys delivers a vivid description of a profession that requires technical skill, obsessive multitasking (men routinely perform several jobs), and absolute absence of claustrophobia: He explains the unique experience of living in cramped quarters with 143 men breathing the same stale air during three month patrols away from sunlight and family. To avoid detection, missile submarines never “transmit sonically.” The author reminds readers that the Cold War hadn’t yet ended, and no one doubted that an order to fire missiles meant Armageddon. For the most part, readers will enjoy an expert account of nuclear submarine technology, operation, command structure, and culture. Regarding the last, the author describes how smoking was permitted, as was drinking to excess—although that was curbed after an intoxicated sailor murdered his captain in 2011. The humor often centers on bad smells and the overworked toilets.
March 20, 2020
Humphreys has written an engaging take about daily life on a British SSBN during the waning days of the Cold War. This is very much a book about the quotidian matters of life in a tin can below the waves with another 140-odd other men, and thus he discusses food, hygiene, privacy, boredom, etc.
I wanted to give this book a higher rating, but it has two problems. The first is that it has to compete with Hennessey and Jinks' The Silent Deep: The Royal Navy Submarine Service Since 1945, which covers nearly everything that Humphreys does is a less personal but more comprehensive fashion. The second problem that I have is that it feels at times like Humphreys is self-censoring - he clearly has a lot of thoughts of nuclear deterrent, human behaviour in a confined, stressful environment, and politics, but he leaves these at the door. He alludes occasionally to how his views changed over the years but it's rarely clear why. In short, the view of submarine life is excellent, but I do wish that the author had been a little autobiographical.
I wanted to give this book a higher rating, but it has two problems. The first is that it has to compete with Hennessey and Jinks' The Silent Deep: The Royal Navy Submarine Service Since 1945, which covers nearly everything that Humphreys does is a less personal but more comprehensive fashion. The second problem that I have is that it feels at times like Humphreys is self-censoring - he clearly has a lot of thoughts of nuclear deterrent, human behaviour in a confined, stressful environment, and politics, but he leaves these at the door. He alludes occasionally to how his views changed over the years but it's rarely clear why. In short, the view of submarine life is excellent, but I do wish that the author had been a little autobiographical.
October 11, 2019
*I received this free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
This is a great pick! It's a non-fiction about the author's time as a submariner on a nuclear submarine during the Cold War. It's very readable and so informative. It's an enjoyable read and written really accessibly.
It's not for the faint-hearted though as there are graphic mentions of sex and bodily substances of all kinds. There is also a lot of bad language.
But if that isn't a problem for you, then dive in! I am not the biggest non-fiction reader, so I am picky. The one thing I want most out of my non-fiction is readability, and Under Pressure has this in spades. I highly recommend it, especially for reluctant non-fiction readers, like me.
This is a great pick! It's a non-fiction about the author's time as a submariner on a nuclear submarine during the Cold War. It's very readable and so informative. It's an enjoyable read and written really accessibly.
It's not for the faint-hearted though as there are graphic mentions of sex and bodily substances of all kinds. There is also a lot of bad language.
But if that isn't a problem for you, then dive in! I am not the biggest non-fiction reader, so I am picky. The one thing I want most out of my non-fiction is readability, and Under Pressure has this in spades. I highly recommend it, especially for reluctant non-fiction readers, like me.
September 14, 2019
R E V I E W 🌟🌟🌟
I requested this book because I thought it would be really interesting. My husband used to be in the forces and while reading this is was really interesting to compare his experience with that of a submariner's, especially in terms of training. Although very interesting to read about life on a nuclear submarine, I really wish that this was written with more of a narrative in mind. At points I found it very difficult to get completely immersed and the author seemed to be rolling off facts or sentences describing a day or scenario, instead I would have preferred more anecdotes to help the reader feel they were actually on the submarine with Richard Humphreys.
I requested this book because I thought it would be really interesting. My husband used to be in the forces and while reading this is was really interesting to compare his experience with that of a submariner's, especially in terms of training. Although very interesting to read about life on a nuclear submarine, I really wish that this was written with more of a narrative in mind. At points I found it very difficult to get completely immersed and the author seemed to be rolling off facts or sentences describing a day or scenario, instead I would have preferred more anecdotes to help the reader feel they were actually on the submarine with Richard Humphreys.
December 31, 2021
On completion of this memoir, which I had raced through in about three days, I gained two additional insights on Day Four.
Wanting to find out more about the author I googled “Richard Humphreys Under Pressure”: Insight Number One: if your name is Richard Humphreys and if your LinkedIn profile says that you are great at “delivering [x] under pressure” then you need to reword that today. I’ve also spoken to a handful of people about the book itself which has given me Insight Number Two: nobody has any clue about the life of those submariners who worked on the Polaris fleet, and by extension its Trident successor.
I think this is the essence of its readability: you hear fascinating anecdotes about human behaviour which demand self-reflection and you learn interesting facts about nuclear submarines. My favourite facts are, in no particular order, (i) nuclear deterrent submarines only receive communications meaning that, other than the three top dogs on board, no-one knows exactly where they are for the three months they are on patrol, (ii) the infrastructure of a submarine is constantly failing: electrical failure of components, hydraulic leaks of systems and inner hull leaks (indeed, inner hull leaks, that’s the big one), and (iii) despite a submarine's huge size - well over 100m long – individual compartments are tiny: the galley where chefs prepare more than three meals a day for 150 people is probably smaller than your kitchen and the ratings’ sleeping quarters are probably smaller than your bedroom but somewhat different in the sense that they consist of three stacked bunks on the left, three adjacent stacked bunks facing, and three further adjacent staked bunks on the right.
Facts such as these drive the anecdotes which in turn cast a unique perspective on the limits of human endeavour required of the extraordinary people who work on these boats.
Wanting to find out more about the author I googled “Richard Humphreys Under Pressure”: Insight Number One: if your name is Richard Humphreys and if your LinkedIn profile says that you are great at “delivering [x] under pressure” then you need to reword that today. I’ve also spoken to a handful of people about the book itself which has given me Insight Number Two: nobody has any clue about the life of those submariners who worked on the Polaris fleet, and by extension its Trident successor.
I think this is the essence of its readability: you hear fascinating anecdotes about human behaviour which demand self-reflection and you learn interesting facts about nuclear submarines. My favourite facts are, in no particular order, (i) nuclear deterrent submarines only receive communications meaning that, other than the three top dogs on board, no-one knows exactly where they are for the three months they are on patrol, (ii) the infrastructure of a submarine is constantly failing: electrical failure of components, hydraulic leaks of systems and inner hull leaks (indeed, inner hull leaks, that’s the big one), and (iii) despite a submarine's huge size - well over 100m long – individual compartments are tiny: the galley where chefs prepare more than three meals a day for 150 people is probably smaller than your kitchen and the ratings’ sleeping quarters are probably smaller than your bedroom but somewhat different in the sense that they consist of three stacked bunks on the left, three adjacent stacked bunks facing, and three further adjacent staked bunks on the right.
Facts such as these drive the anecdotes which in turn cast a unique perspective on the limits of human endeavour required of the extraordinary people who work on these boats.
November 26, 2021
This is an exciting insight into a profession and environment that is always, as a result of its nature, shrouded in secrecy. Writing about his time as a submariner during the Cold War, Humphreys delivers a unique and intriguing memoir on what like on patrol feels like.
It is as claustrophobic as I expected and far more gruelling and unpleasant than I had ever imagine. Lack of privacy and days without flushing toilets; odd sleep cycles and the constant presence of danger and death. Humphreys shares much and all without losing the reader in technicalities and mechanical details.
Whilst I greatly enjoyed this memoir, it ran out of steam about two-thirds of the way through. It started to become repetitive, less immersive and more like it was reeling of anecdotes rather than inviting the reader to share in them.
It is as claustrophobic as I expected and far more gruelling and unpleasant than I had ever imagine. Lack of privacy and days without flushing toilets; odd sleep cycles and the constant presence of danger and death. Humphreys shares much and all without losing the reader in technicalities and mechanical details.
Whilst I greatly enjoyed this memoir, it ran out of steam about two-thirds of the way through. It started to become repetitive, less immersive and more like it was reeling of anecdotes rather than inviting the reader to share in them.
April 1, 2022
The author has interesting stories to tell of his time as a submariner during the Cold War, but the book would have benefited from some stronger editing. It feels like it was written as a series of essays that got compiled together, so he'll talk about the letters of last resort (the British Prime Minister's sealed instructions about what to do if Britain is destroyed in a nuclear war) in one chapter and then come back and talk about the decision to fire nuclear weapons in another. It interferes with the cohesiveness of the book. It would also have been interesting to hear a bit more about why the author decided to leave the service and what lead him to his current career as a bookseller--obviously that's a topic distinct from the question of what life underwater is like, but it would have provided me with some context as to who he was.
June 15, 2024
This book brought back lots of memories for me after serving on the Reso Stb crew in the late 70s and until 1980. As a back afty (LME and POME) and AMS 2 operator had the pleasure after our Rosyth refit of going to Cape Canaveral and completing a Polaris missile firing it was thrilling as a PPO (Propulsion panel operator)on watch that day to feel the boat rise out of the water as the missile was let loose out of its tube. Can't imagine letting loose 16. We also spent time hot bunking that meant three men shared two bunks so as one was always on watch, sleeping bags and personal family photos had to be moved around. Men were defiantly a different breed, never got to ride the fin shame. I am NO sexist but mixed crews is a recipy for disaster three months dived with limited space already onboard the boat (My opinion) Was shocked to learn that they have scrapped the TANK and now do simulators not even close to the same thing. Thanks for all the memories Richard from a fellow Submariner.
February 28, 2021
After touring the USS Batfish (“Oklahoma’s only submarine”) years ago, I was fascinated by the boat’s diesel-driven cramped environment and marveled at the bravery the sailors must have had to conduct war under these conditions. Humphreys’ Resolution, although 114’ longer, nuclear powered and computer appointed, nevertheless posed many of the same challenges as its WWI and WWII predecessors. Here we are given insight into how the British boat worked (now decommissioned) and how the officers and crew were able to hold up as the nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. Humphrey really enjoyed his time under the sea and it comes through in this interesting memoir.
December 1, 2022
This 2019 memoir of serving onboard a Polaris nuclear submarine was illuminating and insightful. Humphreys’s reflections on his mental health, and that of fellow servicemen, particularly in the context of unacceptable bullying and humiliating behaviour from those higher up the chain of command are arresting.
Humphreys also writes elegantly about the philosophical aspects of serving on a nuclear submarine, and the duty to carry out actions which would almost certainly lead to the end of humanity. These are fascinating debates in the abstract, but Humphreys personal experience offers a unique, novel perspective.
More: https://sjhoward.co.uk/what-ive-been-...
Humphreys also writes elegantly about the philosophical aspects of serving on a nuclear submarine, and the duty to carry out actions which would almost certainly lead to the end of humanity. These are fascinating debates in the abstract, but Humphreys personal experience offers a unique, novel perspective.
More: https://sjhoward.co.uk/what-ive-been-...
November 5, 2020
Many thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK and Richard Humphreys. I love reading nonfiction and whilst I wouldn't normally choose military-based books I really enjoyed this account of the author's 5 years as a submariner. I hadn't realised the sheer vastness of the submarines, nor the number of missiles they carried, and it gave me pause for thought at how awful life under the sea must have been when you were there for weeks on end with no sunlight, enduring cramped and exhausting conditions. A fascinating and thought provoking book.
January 29, 2024
I almost crashed my car laughing during the description of the Prime Minister at the bottom of the hatch. Classic! Having served on several US Submarines from '82 to '03, both "Boomers and Fast Attacks" I could relate a bit with his feelings and what he went through. This brought back many memories both good and bad. However if you want to hear a bit about what a "Silent Service" job was like during the end of the "Cold War", this book is for you.
May 5, 2024
[3 Oct 2021] It annoys me how some reviewers get confused between books that simply aren't for them and bad books. This book is not, and I'm sure the author would agree, a work of great literary merit, but it is nonetheless a good, easy read about an interesting subject. It is frank and honest and if it repeats itself it could possibly be because life on a submarine is relatively repetitive. There are the antidotes and funny stories and the serious behind the scenes knowledge that build a picture of what life was like at that time - I assume as it was a while back that things are different these days. It is an easy read and enjoyable.
November 30, 2025
রিচার্ড হ্যামফ্রে নামক এক ব্রিটিশ রয়েল নেভি অফিসারের আত্মজীবনী। ভদ্রলোক পোলারিস নিউক্লিয়ার সাবমেরিন এ বহুবছর সার্ভিসে ছিলেন। একসময় নিজের অনেক ইচ্ছে ছিল নাবিক হওয়ার সেটা হয়নাই বাট ইচ্ছেটা রয়ে গেসে। নাবিক দের কাহিনী পড়তে তাই ভালো লাগে। সাবমেরিনের কাহিনী তো আরও ইন্টারেস্টিং তার উপরে যদি সেটা নিউক্লিয়ার ডিটারেন্ট হয়। খুবই সহজ করে বুঝায় লেখা কিন্তু সাবমেরিনের খুঁটিনাটি অনেক কিছুই আলোচনা করা সংগে আছে মজার কিছু ঘটনা
September 27, 2020
Life in a submarine. Claustrophobia on steroids for me. Nope, no way. That is what intrigued me about reading this book. How can people do it. Fortunately for me, they can. A somewhat dated book but a glimpse into the life and for me the technical aspects of how does this work helps me understand those who do. God bless 'em.
October 3, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. It gave a great insight to what it must be like stuck under the sea for months on end. I had no idea they didn’t come to the surface for the whole patrol so this alone made me think what stuff those people are made of! I certainly know it wouldn’t have been a career choice for me. Great book,hats off to all submariners wherever you are.
March 28, 2025
good if you like the idea of living in a submarine. you don’t need a lot of knowledge of the inner workings or all the acronyms because this is a comprehensive guide. it’s more about the living conditions, training, working and being trapped in a very smelly hell with people you may not get along with.
April 19, 2020
Great book.
I was nice reading of Submarine Service from a Royal Navy view. During my time on the USS Archerfish (SSN 678) while in Roosevelt Roads I had the privilege of touring the HMS Dreadnought in the early 70s. Was very impressed at how quickly the tied up. Great guys.
I was nice reading of Submarine Service from a Royal Navy view. During my time on the USS Archerfish (SSN 678) while in Roosevelt Roads I had the privilege of touring the HMS Dreadnought in the early 70s. Was very impressed at how quickly the tied up. Great guys.
October 9, 2020
An entertaining account of life below the waves. It includes some fairly graphic descriptions of unpleasant aspects to submarine life (think very bad smells!) but generally very interesting and a quick read.
June 25, 2021
An excellent book if you are interested in the military and want to know something about an area that’s not been talked about too much. Author describes different aspects of the boat, how it works and life in board with humour and no punches pulled! Really like this book.
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