Cold War Command: The Dramatic Story of a Nuclear Submariner

This is an intriguing, and exciting book, written from the point of view of a man who served in both conventional and nuclear submarines. For decades the cold war was fought out in the dark waters of the Atlantic and norwegian sea. This secret world is revealed with amazing candour by the author, and describes the operations of the Royal Navy's submarine fleet from a variety of perspectives. Dan Conley served on board hunter killer subs that shadowed the most advanced Soviet nuclear submarines, sailed under the hull of their warships to photograph them and trained other submarine captains to do the same.The book is also extremely informative in other aspects, because Dan also saw at first hand how these enormously expensive submarines were commissioned, designed and built. It is a sorry tale of bureaucratic waste and indifference, where the hard won experience and knowledge of seagoing sailors is ignored. Anyone interested in the history of the cold war should read this book. So too should our members of parliament, who bear ultimate responsibilty for the shambles of procurement that Dan so graphically describes. The book pulls no punches, and every page has the stamp of authenticity born of experience.

A well written book giving the reader stacks of information about the Navy of the cold war. Worth picking up.

I was Dan Conley’s contemporary at Dartmouth and his fellow midshipman in HMS Eagle and HMS Cambrian. Even at that early stage it was clear that his combination of ability and commitment would lead to a distinguished naval career.

I spent an almost uninterrupted 24 hours reading this most fascinating book. I can vouch for its accuracy in the small part where our lives overlapped. Having spent much of my working life concerned with defence procurement, initially in the Royal Navy and then in industry, I can well understand his frustrations with much of the equipment with which he was provided. Throughout most of the book he is haunted by the spectre of Mark 24 (Tigerfish) torpedo which was only made to work correctly shortly before it was replaced. I hope those responsible for this fiasco read Dan’s book and feel well deserved pangs of conscience.

But the book is more than that. It is also a tale of a demanding, absorbing and rewarding life of service in that part of the Royal Navy which was, for much of the Cold War, in close contact with the potential enemy. I would recommend this book to any young lad thinking of a naval career and I trust that future generations of the Royal Navy’s submarine commanders come from the same mould as Dan.

Good book but a little too much like a list of things the author had done with his career.

An excellent read that comes over, not as a list of events in the career of the co-author, Dan Conley, but as his, generally, unbiased recollection of British, American and Russian naval involvement in the Cold War during the second half of the twentieth century. Obviously, the author does put his own slight on some of the situations he was involved in, but this is always put across to the reader with appropriate humour and understanding that comes from both experience and pure common sense. A well written and interesting read and one that I know, from my own involvement with the British Navy during those same years, is a true presentation of some of what occurred during the nuclear power struggle that involved three powerful countries.

A highly technical subject presented in a way that a lay person can understand. We are lucky to have had such a dedicated Officer so often thwarted by politics and politicians.

Although the Royal Navy has undergone considerable decline over the last couple of decades there was a period when it played a significant role in countering the threat of the Soviet Navy during the Cold War.

Detailing the contribution of Captain Conley during the height of this campaign this book tells a compelling story that exposes, within the limitations of secrecy, his own experiences and wider issues that made it so important.

Of particular interest to me was the exposure of the endemic problems British management faces at all levels, this includes government and its attendant bureaucracies, industry and even on occasion the services. Despite plenty of intellect Britain continues to struggle to evolve a culture that allows sensible and realistic decision making. Too many gifted people are far too narrow minded. A great pity given our proven history of great achievement.

A good read for those interested in naval affairs.

Having served on the Seaalion with Dan Conoley , he gives a fairly accurate description of life on board & an enjoyable read.

I was highly gratified to discover this book as I actually served with then LCDR Conley for a short period when he was underway on our boat, USS Whale (SSN 638), which is mentioned in the book. Although he did mispell the CO's first name. :) I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging and interesting account of his highly successful career before and after our meeting. As a young "Leftenant" I learned quite a bit from CAPT Conley, especially about sonar employment and tactics. I found his book to be highly enjoyable and a great window into our sister submarine service. It reawakened the debate about who has the better approach to training and manning. Our respective services, although each quite successful, take a very different approach. I remember CAPT Conley visiting our lay Sunday services and commenting that they would usually have a small brass band compared to our simple guitar. My personal remembrances aside, I think you'll find this book a refreshingly unique perspective and insight into the Royal Navy during the cold war. Former submariners will appreciate the technical detail and things left unsaid, and I think the non-submariner will enjoy the personal real-life adventure of submarine operations. He does a great job of weaving personal life issues, adding to the interest. This is a wonderful true life story that accurately and candidly depicts life in the Royal Navy submarine force. I highly recommend this read.

It's an erudite and technical tale. The depressing refers to the wholesale destruction of the RN by successive irresponsible governments. His undersea career was very successful in out of date subs, quite a feat. If Conley had been running the RN it would have been well planned and efficient. It was a real eye opener to me of the ill designed and inadequate subs and weapon systems. Conley comes across as the best in the RN tradition tracking Soviet subs successfully. The narrative was often too technical for me. I wanted a more Clancyesque tale. So it didn't always hold my attention especially the later civil service chapters but the under sea sub chapters are a good read.

Rarely have I seen a "been there, done that" book that comes across as authentic as Cold War Command. Having commanded three nuclear submarines, I know exactly what was said and left unsaid for security concerns that will last well into the future. As we enter a new period of strained relations with Russia, I am certain the underwater minuet will start again, if it ever really stopped. Reading Conley's autobiography particular the at sea periods and especially when in command of HMS Valiant, "the Black Pig", will give the reader a true insight not only into what happened, but what made exceptional success possible in the Royal Navy's oldest home grown nuclear submarine.

Throughout Dan Conley emphasizes "the team" whether it was as a junior member or the commanding officer. The team is always what is successful and the intelligent leader will lavish praise when due and make the necessary changes when the team needs new players for success. The writing of this book was a team effort, the hidden hand of Richard Woodman, just as critical to its excellence as the story's portrayal. But it is the story that is Dan Conley's and it is his journey to command and beyond that makes this book fascinating.

I highly recommend Cold War Command to the reading public, for command of an SSN is the closest thing this planet has to compare with command of a starship in the series and movies of Star Trek. Dan Conley would have been a superb Captain James T. Kirk of the starship Enterprise.

G. William Weatherly

Author: Sheppard of the Argonne

Was not the narrative I expected.

Outstanding account of the Cold War Submarine Cat and Mouse game between the West and the Soviet Union told from the perspective of a British submarine commander. Captain Conley should be commended for his service to the United Kingdom and the United States. Thank you for your service Sir.