Another Great Day at Sea: Life Aboard the USS George H. W. Bush

I was going to write a huge piece explaining how all the one and two star reviews had missed the point, but then why? It is a charming, really enjoyable and funny book about people. It is also heavily about Geoff Dyer (as are all his books; or at least about that books invented persona).

An interesting picture of life on a carrier and I wasn't too irritated with Dyer's 'flaneur' personality.

I'm a satisfied customer.

Excellent

Purchased for a birthday present. It was very much enjoyed.

This is an interesting insight into the psyche of the American military mind. It's the American psyche as seen through the perceptive eyes of a notable and internationally acclaimed writer who has exceptional literary skills and a wonderful grasp of the English language in a contemporary context.Coverage includes public health administration, substance abuse, law enforcement, sexual equality, gay rights, personal ambition (in a very American context), religion (there's a great chapter about a gospel service that is so southern black America - the author was almost seduced by it)!), differences between American and British-English social attitudes (damning about the English class distinctions and divisions, particularly in the RN, where it is worse by persisting so un-necessarily in the twenty-first century!), American life and attitudes (including dialogue, accents and language), and the American work ethic, amongst numerous other topics, all intertwined with relevant references to literature and films, etc.There's at least one section that brought a lump to my throat, and as for the succinct comparison between Bush snr and Bush jnr, it's brilliant!Another good aspect about this book is that the author maintains his impartiality and objectivity (and a great sense of humour - irony at its best), which together suggests or leads the reader to believe that in the USN at least, social equality is highly developed albeit within the constraints of a military organisation (i.e. an American nuclear powered aircraft carrier with over 5,000 people on board. In other words, small town America without the bigotry or insular narrow-mindedness). Comparisons in social hierarchy between the USN and the RN are fascinating - which is why I could never have joined the British military - and the RN in particular. But if I had been born in the USA... It would seem that in the USN you respect the individual first and what he or she can do (the track record of their skills and abilities), rather than the way it is in the RN, where you respect rank first, even if the holder is an idiot (as I've experienced when working as a civilian alongside the RN).Whilst Dyer would not have been allowed in the engine or reactor spaces, it's a surprise that he never interviewed any crew members from the marine engineering department. Furthmore, given that the ship he was on was an aircraft carrier, there are only two real mentions of aircrew; one an inconclusive interview with a female F-18 pilot and the other a superficial reference to the aircrew of one of the SAR helicopters. Whilst these are major omissions, they do not detract from the book (indeed their omission may be because of a lack of space).One important point, the subject and topics covered are not expected to be read as definitive or authoritative accounts. Nor are they claimed to be conclusive or comprehensive, but are based entirely on the author's observations, perceptions (rightly or wrongly) and interpretations. It's important to understand the context and concept of what this book is about and the series that will follow it (this is number one).The book is illustrated with a number of photographs by award winning photographer Chris Steele-Perkins, who accompanied the author during his two weeks on board.

This was a hugely interesting read - enjoyed it very much and certainly gave the 'flavour' of working and living on board a large ocean going war ship.

Wonderful picture of life at sea by a modest entertainign writer

“The sea was a prairie of glitter-green. Moon and oil well acquired circles of white light around them.

I don't normally write book reviews as when you like something or not isn't related to any guidelines beyond spelling, punctuation and grammar.

An observant, tongue in cheek account. Readable, informative and with an undercurrent of humour. If you're never likely to experience life on an aircraft carrier, this is the next...

The author is much more concerned with his own feelings than understanding the working of the ship or it's people .

great writer, insightful and funny, and with a quirky take

Fascinating book from one of my favourite writers but limited by its brief to capture life on an aircraft carrier.

Can one loathe someone just from reading his or her work? Such revulsion for another human based on mental processes and attitudes, as revealed by his or her writing, happened to...