The publication that every sailor was going to write but never did is one view of In the Navy.

In The Navy is a thoroughly absorbing story. Dave Rickard has produced a very commendable book and one in which he can be justly proud.

In fact this is the book every ex-sailor is going to write but hasn't got around to it.

It is a record of events set against a unique era of high level, overseas operational activity, existent in our navy during the sixties and seventies, the period the story traces.

His book has meaning and relevance, especially for sailors but also for the non-seafarer. There will always be those people who have been unable to fulfil the challenge of a life at sea, for one reason or another, and who satisfy their denied passions by reading the seafaring exploits of others.

The story is about the author's naval journey and it marks his place in the history of the RAN.

It is about ordinary people, not the rich or famous, although some notable naval persons get an honourable mention and he has interwoven them all into his story very well indeed.

The story skips along at a good pace, never leaving the reader enough time to ponder on what is coming next, for it's there, in a trice, in front of you.

The journey through those memorable years is most enjoyable, as is the reference to the musicians and music of each decade.

The humour is well spread and will evoke a belly laugh every now and then. Also, the pathos is meaningful and relevant and overall I think he has achieved a good balance between all the emotions throughout the book.

However, my brain went into a bit of a twirl, as I was not able to fathom out some of the characters by his use of christian names and sobriquets… what a tease.

In The Navy is a B5 size publication of 190 pages, with more than 40 photographs and drawings.

It is available in a hard cover version for $20, or soft cover for $14. It may be obtained by forwarding a cheque or money order (and adding $4 P&P) to D. Rickard, PO Box 336 Brighton, Sth Aust. 5048. (Further information on the book is available on the net at users.senet.com.au/~pmmail/).

Review by LCDR R.T. Nott MBE RFD RAN Rtd.