This book treats not only Wilkins's Nautilus expedition of 1931 but the diesel- and battery-powered submarine operations of the l94Os and l95Os as well as the era of nuclear-powered boats. It shows how rapid advances in science and technology helped overcome so many obstacles that today the Arctic Ocean is considered the submariner's private sea. Author Marion Williams, a member of the U.S. Navy's submarine service for many years, tells the story from the viewpoint of the submariners themselves. To do so, he consulted countless official and unofficial documents and recently declassified reports, interviewed participants, and drew on his own professional knowledge. He provides dramatic details of every operation and also describes the military and political ramifications of each cruise. The narrative is certain to appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy tales of exploration and discovery. Dozens of photographs, many never before published, help bring the story to life.