Battleship Sailor (Bluejacket Books) Paperback – January 15, 2013

Ted Mason had an excellent story to tell and relates it very vividly. This narrative provides a vivid look at the prewar U.S. Navy in terms of training and daily life aboard a battleship. Portraits of Mason's shipmates are memorable.A 1940 enlistee, Mason anticipated a year of active duty. Thanks to the attack on Pearl Harbor, his plans were subject to a major readjustment. Mason wrote a sequel to this book, relating his subsequent service on a fleet tug. A greater contrast with his life on the battleship would be hard to imagine.This is a great tribute to the United States Navy in WW II.Very highly recommended.

The Story behind As a Young man from the gold country of California Went from a drilling Reservist into Boot Camp and High Speed Radioman A School earning third Class. It tells of life in a BB, I was on CG 17 As an HM and Went and learned Every where. In his case this was Not allowed , he Never Went to the bridge , CIC or the FIRE Rooms. Dicispline was heavy handed and BB Sailors were nuts on Liberty. It takes you right into December 7 at Pearl and a few months after. I wish there was a part Two or three to follow the author through combat in the Pacific. I highly recommend this book

This book is a total delight! The author is a very fine storyteller and he has a great story to tell. He really is "spot on" about the "old" Navy. Although, I was a generation behind him (served from 63-93), most things (i.e. jargon, attitudes, etc.) remained the same when I was in. As with the author, I also had the pleasure of serving in a Battleship (USS MISSOURI BB-63)). I served in many ships but none were close to being like the Battleship. Almost every sailor was proud to be a Battleship Sailor - even the brig rats!

The author was an enlisted man who saw the attack from the mast of the sinking USS California. He also gives an unusually honest view of a sailor's life. The book was written after much research to tie the author's direct impressions to the traditional historical accounts of Pearl Harbor and Navy life.

Fascinating account of life aboard a capital ship on the eve of war. I've read many accounts of naval battles and the reactions and thoughts of naval personnel, but this was the first account of shipboard life in peace time. The author does an excellent job of describing the daily routine of an enlisted man on the USS California in the months just prior to Pearl Harbor. Also included is a description of various ports of call and what sailors did during leave time on shore. One thing I found especially surprising was that Pearl Harbor and Honolulu were not considered to be attractive ports (San Diego and San Francisco were thought to be much more entertaining). I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in the history of the U. S. Navy transitioning from peace to war.

The "battleship navy" ended for all intents in December `41 at Pearl Harbor, where the superiority of the aircraft carrier was powerfully demonstrated. Mason was there, having signed on for a one-year hitch in the navy reserves. He was trained as a radio man, transcribing messages in Morse code, a semi-elite position for an enlisted sailor. His description of naval training and life aboard the battleship California is wonderful... you are there. And then of course comes December 7th, which Mason observed from his battle station high atop the California's mainmast. Just amazing. Highly recommended.

Well written and interesting account of life prior to WWII and the Day of Infamy. Having retired from the US Navy I found it interesting how many things had not changed between the time he served and the time I retired in 1992. I very much enjoyed reading this book.

It was never a picnic for any enlisted AB!