When sailors are confronted by a seemingly unsolvable problem, whether it's a fouled anchor or paint that won't dry, they often throw up their hands and declare: "Ask the chief." Leahy's oral history is based on interviews with nearly 100 representatives of that legendary problem-solver, the chief petty officer. Leahy (adjunct, business, Franklin U.), a Navy and Coast Guard veteran, was granted access during Operation Enduring Freedom to the carrier USS George Washington and other ships in her battle group. The chiefs he spoke to came from the aviation, surface, submarine, and special warfare communities. The work is illustrated in b&w. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)