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Heavy Metal

The Hard Days and Nights of the Shipyard Workers Who Build America's Supercarriers
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( 199 ratings, 32 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Heavy Metal by Michael Fabey delves into the evolution and strategic significance of the U.S. Navy's latest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. The book examines how this technological marvel represents a shift in naval warfare amidst evolving global threats, featuring insights into the challenges faced during its development and deployment. Fabey’s work provides a comprehensive perspective on innovation and modern military strategy.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have an interest in modern military warfare and naval operations. It delves into the intricate strategies and technologies that define today's military landscape, offering a detailed account of naval power and the significant global changes it navigates.

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An extraordinary story of American can-do, an inside look at the building of the most dangerous aircraft carrier in the world, the John F.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An extraordinary story of American can-do, an inside look at the building of the most dangerous aircraft carrier in the world, the John F. Kennedy.

Tip the Empire State Building onto its side and you’ll have a sense of the length of the United States Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the most powerful in the world: the USS John F. Kennedy. Weighing 100,000 tons, Kennedy features the most futuristic technology ever put to sea, making it the most agile and lethal global weapon of war.

Only one place possesses the brawn, brains, and brass to transform naval warfare with such a creation – the Newport News Shipbuilding yard in Virginia and its 30,000 employees and shipyard workers. This is their story, the riggers, fitters, welders, electricians, machinists, and other steelworkers who built the next-generation aircraft carrier.

Heavy Metal puts us on the waterfront and into the lives of these men and women as they battle layoffs, the elements, impossible deadlines, extraordinary pressure, workplace dangers, and a pandemic to complete a ship that will be essential to protect America’s way of life.

The city of Newport News owes its very existence to the company that bears its name. The shipyard dominates the town—physically, politically, financially, socially, and culturally. Thanks to the yard, the city grew from a backwater to be the home of the premier naval contractor in the United States.

Heavy Metal captures an indelible moment in the history of a shipyard, a city, and a country.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Journalist Michael Fabey's Heavy Metal offers a detailed account of the construction of the USS John F. Kennedy at a Newport News shipyard, capturing the craftsmanship and dedication of the workers involved. Reviews praise Fabey for his empathetic portrayal of the workers’ challenges and triumphs, highlighting the human aspect of shipbuilding. The book is noted for providing insights into marine engineering and serves as a poignant tribute to the industry, resonating with both technical enthusiasts and readers interested in working-class stories.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780062996251

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 18 August 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: William Morrow

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 499g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Michael Fabey has reported on military and naval affairs for most of his career. In his work for National Geographic Traveler, the Economist Group, Defense News, Aviation Week, and Janes, he has collected more than two dozen reporting awards, including the prestigious Timothy White Award. Few journalists have had as much firsthand experience of America’s naval ships and aircraft and the officers who command them. He is the author of Crashback: The Power Clash Between the US and China in the Pacific. A Philadelphia native, he currently resides in Spotsylvania, Virginia. 

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