Spindrift: Stories from the Sea Services

By Dan RobertRobert GillcristPaul Gillcrist, et al.

Book Overview

Spindrift is a collection of true seagoing anecdotes about the experiences of three brothers, each of whom served aboard U.S. Navy ships during his service. One of the authors was a Torpedoman Second Class on U.S.S. Barbero, a guided missile diesel submarine in the early 1950s. The second author served as a seagoing Marine Corporal aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Wasp during the 1960s. The third author, a career Naval Aviator, served aboard a number of aircraft carriers over a 33 year career ultimately retiring as a Rear Admiral. The three authors present to the reader three different perspectives and three different writing styles about three different periods in the history of the U.S. Navy. The perspectives are the submarine service, the seagoing Marine Corps aspects of life aboard an anti-submarine warfare aircraft carrier and the attack carrier Navy. The book is divided into four parts: the first deals with life aboard diesel submarines in the 1950s as well as nuclear-powered submarine operations in the 1970s. The torpedoman, Dan and his aviator brother, Paul provide the anecdotes in this part. Part II deals with surface ships operations over a thirty year period (1952-1982) and is written exclusively by brother, Paul, the aviator. Part III deals with aspects of aircraft carrier operations over the same thirty year period and is written by the Marine, Bob and his aviator brother, Paul. Part IV deals with women in Naval Aviation and the anecdotes contained therein come from the experiences of the aviator. The subject matter of the anecdotes ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous ... interspersing humor with adventure, and excitement with introspection. The underlying theme of the stories stresses the notion that the sea services seem to contain more than their share of genuine, all-American characters.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764305905
• ISBN13: 9780764305900
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Like all good seafare, it is raw and well seasoned.

As a former qualified diesel submarine Torpedoman in the `50s who made a WestPac run and who, in the `70s and `80s, was a civilian Special Agent with US Naval Intelligence assigned in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Iceland, in, I can say, that I have Been there, Done that!" The authors have apparently been there, and done that also. Many of the tales told, the events related, and the places mentioned (or at least similar ones) are all too real and still vivid in this reviewer's memory. On reading "Spindrift", they will become a part of yours also. Down to earth from the heart writing that "tells it like it is" (old memories not withstanding).

Terrific collection of sea-stories. You'll love 'em all.

These stories are wonderful examples of real-life events seen by three brothers gifted with the ability to see humor and truth in everyday activity. They reflect the realism and intensity in extremely serious military situations that resolve into laughter in spite of all the pressure to "do it by the book." The stories are short and sweet, perfectly crafted, and they illustrate the great values and pleasures that come from a life in the service. Give yourself a treat and buy this book. At the end of it, you'll wish it was twice as long!

TO THE AUTHORS OF SPINDRIFT:

DAN BOB & PAUL THANKS FOR AN AMUSING BOOK OF SEA STORIES! AS ONE OF THE CHARACTERS, I FEEL HONORED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF IT. DON COLYER U.S.M.C. RETIRED

Sea stories about regular folks, in the spirit of Ernie Pyle

Fascinating stories about life aboard the earliest nuclear missile submarine, about Naval Aviation, and about women in Naval Aviation. Hilarious and poignant stories about the USMC, with some particularly vivid vignettes on race relations in the Navy during the 50s. This book tells what it was like for the folks who make up the Navy and Marine Corps. The submarine and USMC stories date from the 1950s. The Aviation stories cover the 50s to the 80s.I really enjoyed this book. I have hundreds of books on military experiences, from the Civil to the Gulf war. I have a strong preference for books written by individuals about their personal experiences. This book definitely ranks among my favorites.If you enjoy Tom Clancy, Ernie Pyle, or no nonsense "I was there" military books, you'll definitely enjoy this one. If you have friends or relatives who served in the Navy or Marines, this book will help you understand their experiences. I highly recommend it.

Sea stories from three brothers who served.

The Brothers Gillcrist have assembled a delightful anecdotal history of their experiences in more than 30 years of sea service, and bring sharp powers of observation to the task, along with a bedrock sensibility that conveys reality to the reader: they say what they mean and mean what they say. Anyone who has served or had a family member who served, will acquire a sense of kinship with the writers and will come away with many insights into the lives of military seafarers. (Disclaimer: I am biased in that I helped Paul Gillcrist with one chapter on the Royal Navy).