Naval forces and warfare Books
The History Press Ltd Scapa Flow
Book SynopsisThe story of Britain’s greatest naval anchorage in two World WarsTrade ReviewA book to dip into ... But once you start dipping it takes a grip.A fascinating book of deep interestA story which for a long time has been crying out to be told and which could not have been put across with more verve and understanding
£13.49
Bloomsbury Battle of the Atlantic 2
£18.75
Penguin Books Ltd The Rules of the Game
Book SynopsisWinner of the Longman''s History Today Book of the Year Award and the inaugural Westminster Medal for Military Literature More than a century had gone by since the Battle of Trafalgar. Generation after generation of British naval captains had been dreaming ever since of a ''new'' Trafalgar - a cataclysmic encounter which would decisively change a war''s outcome. At last, in the summer of 1916, they thought their moment had come...Andrew Gordon''s extraordinary, gripping book brilliantly recreates the atmosphere of the British navy in the years leading up to Jutland and gives a superb account of the battle itself and its bitterly acrimonious aftermath.
£17.09
Anness Publishing Cruisers The World Enyclopedia of
Book SynopsisA comprehensive country-by-country visual directory of more than 260 of the most significant examples. From the Alabama of the American Civil War to the Royal Navy's Tigers, the author traces cruiser development from ships with muzzle-loading, broadside armament, through casemates and turrets to the age of guided missiles.
£13.50
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Lepanto 1571
Book SynopsisThe battle of Lepanto was the last major battle between fleets of oar-powered war ships. The largest naval battle since Mark Antony's Actium. It was the one major achievement of the short-lived Holy League of Catholic states. The author re-examines the battle's status as a truly decisive battle.
£15.29
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The British Aircraft Carrier
Book SynopsisThe Royal Navy invented the aircraft carrier and most of the key innovations which have enabled carriers to remain effective, exploiting continuing changes in aircraft technology, from biplanes to supersonic jets. This book tells (and explains) how that happened over more than a century of British carrier development, based largely on declassified official documents, both British and US. Major themes include British domination of the early years of carrier development, and the audacious and highly original plans for their use during World War I, which inspired later naval thinking on the potential of carrier aviation. The introduction of armoured flight decks in the 1930s was only the first of a sequence of British innovations, the most important of which made it possible for carriers to operate jet aircraft (the angled deck, the steam catapult, and the mirror landing sight). These British developments, particularly the steam catapult, were crucial to the survival of the US carrier f
£40.00
Anness Publishing Illustrated Directory of Amphibious Warfare
Book SynopsisThis is a country-by-country guide to 130 landing ships and landing craft, with over 210 wartime and modern photographs. It features a complete guide to landing ships, detailing conventional personnel and cargo carriers, welldeck dock ships and modern multi-function ships accommodating helicopters, landing craft, military personnel, their vehicles and equipment. It also features a country-by-country directory of landing craft, from ramped beaching craft to present-day high-speed air-cushion craft, including amphibious tracked landing vehicles and peripheral activities such as minesweeping and obstacle clearance. Specification boxes provide at-a-glance information about each vessel's country of origin, displacement, dimensions, armament, machinery, power and endurance. It includes a technical glossary explaining naval acronyms, abbreviations and key terminology. Amphibious warfare vessels are ships that travel from shore to shore, and craft moving from ship to shore. This authoritative book consists of two illustrated directories, the first covering landing ships - the ocean-going vessels that transport personnel, cargo or vehicles - and then landing craft, the majority of which are transported aboard specialist ships. From float-on, float-off welldeck ships to high-speed air-cushion landing craft, 130 types from around the world are included. With over 210 photographs from museums, libraries and other historical sources, this instructive volume provides enthusiasts with a lively and engaging guide to a fascinating subject.
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Anarchy
Book SynopsisTHE TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERONE OF BARACK OBAMA''S BEST BOOKS OF 2019THE TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEARFINALIST FOR THE CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZE 2020LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2019A FINANCIAL TIMES, OBSERVER, DAILY TELEGRAPH, WALL STREET JOURNAL AND TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARDalrymple is a superb historian with a visceral understanding of India A book of beauty' Gerard DeGroot, The TimesIn August 1765 the East India Company defeated the young Mughal emperor and forced him to establish a new administration in his richest provinces. Run by English merchants who collected taxes using a ruthless private army, this new regime saw the East India Company transform itself from an international trading corporation into something much more unusual: an aggressive colonial power in the guise of a multinatTrade ReviewAn energetic pageturner that marches from the counting house on to the battlefield, exploding patriotic myths along the way -- Maya Jasanoff * Guardian *A tour de force ***** -- Anne de Courcy * Telegraph *Magnificent … The Anarchy explodes myths that have accreted around the history of the Company like barnacles on the hulls of its ships ... Dalrymple shines a forensic light on the knotty historical relationship between commercial and imperial power -- John McAleer * Evening Standard *Dalrymple has been at the forefront of the new wave of popular history, consistently producing work that engages with a wider audience through writerly craft, an emphasis on characters and their agency, evocative description of place and time, and the inclusion of long-neglected perspectives … The book’s real achievement is to take readers to an important and neglected period of British and south Asian history, and to make their trip their not just informative but colourful -- Jason Burke * Observer *Gloriously opulent … India is a sumptuous place. Telling its story properly demands lush language, not to mention sensitivity towards the country’s passionate complexity. Dalrymple is a superb historian with a visceral understanding of India … A book of beauty -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *It is well-trodden territory but Dalrymple ... brings to it erudition, deep insight and an entertaining style * Financial Times *Combining extensive research, judicious analysis and an acceptable level of outrage, Dalrymple’s compelling account will cement his status as the most widely read British writer on India since Kipling … A brave and stirring narrative of India’s eighteenth-century fragmentation -- John Keay * Literary Review *[A] rampaging, brilliant, passionate history … Dalrymple gives us every sword-slash, every scam, every groan and battle cry. He has no rival as a narrative historian of the British in India … A gripping tale of bloodshed and deceit, of unimaginable opulence and intolerable starvation ... shot through with an unappeasable moral passion * Wall Street Journal *‘Masterful … Dalrymple has been for some years one of the most eloquent and assiduous chroniclers of Indian history. With this new work, he sounds a minatory note … Dalrymple has done a great service in not just writing an eminently readable history of eighteenth-century India, but in reflecting on how so much of it serves as a warning for our own time’ -- Stuart Kelly * Scotland on Sunday *A magnificently readable book, deeply researched and richly atmospheric, written with a historian’s understanding of power and a novelistic eye for detail ***** -- Francis Wheen * Mail on Sunday *A rip-roaring tale of wild adventure, amorality, feckless greed and despicable behaviour … His best history to date -- Louise Nicholson * Country Life *[Dalrymple] is a terrifically good storyteller. He makes the reader see how events unfold and observe the personalities up close. He is widely read both in the primary sources and the historical scholarship. As a result, The Anarchy is one of the best books on Indian history published in a long time * Times Literary Supplement *Deeply researched yet easy to read, this landmark history of the East India Company is unputdownable. This is pure narrative joy -- HWA Non-Fiction Crown JudgesProbably the best work of a quartet of books that Dalrymple has written focusing on Indian history... Beautifully written and generous in its details; well worth the time and effort * Which 50 *
£12.34
Amber Books Ltd Ships
Book SynopsisFrom the dawn of civilization man has held a fascination with the sea, and over the centuries has built myriad ships and sailing craft for an equally diverse range of purposes. Ships: Visual Encyclopedia provides a fascinating at-a-glance guide to more than 1200 of the most important ships from the earliest times to the present day. From the Viking longship through the 16th century galleon to the super carriers and nuclear submarines of the 21st century, Ships: Visual Encyclopedia includes every conceivable type of ship in which man has gone to sea. As well as warships from every century, this book also examines those vessels that have explored the globe, conducted trade, and afforded great adventure, luxury and entertainment. From the smallest coastal traders up to the vast oil tankers of today, from the graceful clippers of the 19th century to the modern passenger liners, Ships: Visual Encyclopedia is the comprehensive guide to all the world's ships, both
£23.99
Harper Collins Wolfpack
£10.44
Can of Worms Press Nelson's Victory: Trafalgar & Tragedy: Seven
Book Synopsis
£7.59
HarperCollins Publishers Blame Not the Wind
Book Synopsis
£18.70
Anness Publishing The Battleships World Encyclopedia of
Book Synopsis(new edition) The history and evolution of the battleship, an international directory of 150 ships, with specifications, and illustrated with 500 photographs.
£13.50
Amberley Publishing Too Few Too Far
Book SynopsisBritish Commando George Thomsen's action-filled account of combat during the Falklands War.Trade Review'The untold story of how 22 Marines held off hundreds of Argentinians and disabled a warship on the eve of the Falklands war' THE DAILY MAIL 'Hero reveals Falklands very own 'Rorke's Drift'... told for the first time by one of the men involved' THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTable of ContentsAcknowledgements George's Thoughts Preface March 25th 1982 Chapter 1 April 1981; NP 8901 Have Landed Chapter 2 Hurry Up And Wait Chapter 3 In Cold Blood Chapter 4 Hearts And Minds Chapter 5 Round The Table Chapter 6 Enter The Pigs Chapter 7 The Glory Hour Chapter 8 A Brush With The Junta Chapter 9 The Rich And The Dead Chapter 10 Guns in Doorways Chapter 11 A Revealing Flight Chapter 12 Battle Fitness Chapter 13 Swimming With Penguins Chapter 14 Christmas 1981 Chapter 15 February 1982: The Swan Run Chapter 16 The Men For The Job Chapter 17 Chipping Off Chapter 18 The Eagle's Nest Chapter 19 A Drink With 'The Bear' Chapter 20 Red Alert Chapter 21 A Voice Across The Ocean Chapter 22 Force 11 Chapter 23 The Last Supper Chapter 24 Cold Steel Chapter 25 Enter The Predator Chapter 26 Firefight Epilogue Glossary
£10.44
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Convoy
Book SynopsisThe Convoy represents a fresh approach to the story of the Battle of the Atlantic. It is also the first to deal with the more spectacular story of HG-76, a major turning point in the naval war.HG-76 sailed from Gibraltar to Britain in December 1941 and was specially targeted by the Germans. A wolfpack of U-boats was sent against it, and the Luftwaffe was heavily committed too in a rare example of German inter-service cooperation. German intelligence agents in Gibraltar and Spain also knew every detail of HG-76 before it had even sailed, seemingly stacking the odds in favour of the Kriegsmarine. Despite this the convoy fought its way through. Improved radar and sonar gave the convoy''s escorts a slight edge over their opponents, while the escort group was led by Commander Walker, an anti-submarine expert who had developed new, aggressive U-boat hunting tactics. Previous Gibraltar convoys had been mauled by Luftwaffe bombers opTrade ReviewThis gripping story of a vitally important wartime convoy battle is long overdue. * Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster *Brilliant – one of the most dramatic stories of the Second World War at sea brought meticulously to life. * Dr. Sam Willis, historian and broadcaster *With his detailed research from many sources, Angus Konstam brings to life the story of the battle around convoy HG76, escorted by the brilliant Commander Johnnie Walker RN. * Vice Admiral Mike Gretton CB CVO, son of escort commander Sir Peter Gretton *Angus Konstam brings a multi-perspective approach to this highly readable and engrossing account of Convoy HG76. * Captain Patrick Walker CBE RN, grandson of Johnnie Walker RN *A work of real integrity, his portrayal of this epic struggle brilliantly captures the intensity and drama of this key episode in the Battle of the Atlantic. Simply gripping! * Captain Bill Oliphant RN, CEO Royal Naval Association *Table of Contents(Subject to confirmation) Prologue Introduction Chapter 1: A Dark Time Chapter 2: The Gibraltar Run Chapter 3: Assembling the Convoy Chapter 4: The Audacity Chapter 5: Wolfpack Seeräuber Chapter 6: Leaving the Rock Chapter 7: First Blood to Nestor Chapter 8: Home for Christmas Chapter 9: Good Hunting Chapter 10: Red, Black and Yellow Flights Chapter 11: Gengelbach’s Revenge Chapter 12: Operation Buttercup Chapter 13: Winkle’s First Kill Chapter 14: Lit up by Snowflakes Chapter 15: The Loss of Audacity Chapter 16: The Western Approaches Chapter 17: Home Run Chapter 18: Taking Stock Epilogue Notes Bibliography Appendix I: The Merchant Ships of Convoy HG-76 Appendix II: The Convoy Escorts Appendix III. U-boats Involved Index
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Gunther Prien and U-47: The Bull of Scapa Flow:
Book SynopsisOn the night of 13/14 October 1939, the Type VIIB U-boat U-47, on its second War Patrol, penetrated the main Royal Navy base at Scapa Flow and sank the British battleship HMS Royal Oak. This legendary attack is remembered as one of the most audacious raids in the history of submarine warfare. Laid down on 25 February 1937, and entering service in December 1938 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See, later Kapitanleutnant Gunther Prien, after sinking HMS Royal Oak both Prien and his famous U-boat were known thereafter as 'The Bull of Scapa Flow'. During a lavish celebration in Berlin to mark the sinking of HMS Royal Oak, the crew members of U-47 were received by Adolf Hitler. For his part, Prien received the Knight's Cross, becoming the first U-boat officer and only the second member of the Kriegsmarine to receive this decoration. Still under Prien's command, U-47 returned to sea on 16 November 1939. Over the months that followed, U-47 went on to complete a total of ten war patrols. During these, Prien and his crew sank a total of thirty-one Allied ships and damaged eight more, making it one of the most successful U-boats of the Second World War. As a central figure in the Battle of the Atlantic, Prien was consistently at the heart of events until he was lost on board U-47 in March 1941. U-47 had departed Lorient on her tenth and last patrol on 20 February 1941. She went missing on 7 March 1941. In this remarkably detailed account, the author charts the full story of U-47, its commander and crew. As well as examining all the main events in each of U-47's ten War Patrols, particularly the attack on HMS Royal Oak, for which a number of important new conclusions are explored, as is U-47's final fate.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Naval Ship Models of World War II in 1/1250 and
Book SynopsisThe origins of 1/1250 and 1/200 scale models can be traced back to the first years of the twentieth century and their use as identification aids by the military during the First World War. When peace came the manufacturers aimed their increasingly sophisticated products at collectors, and ever since then acquiring, enhancing, modifying or scratch-building miniature ship models has been an avidly pursued hobby around the world. This new book focusses on models of the ships of the Second World War, probably the most popular subject for miniature model collectors, and the author, a well-known modeller himself, addresses all the practical issues that might confront those many collectors who like to enhance, convert, and modify their models, or even scratch-build models of ships not commercially available. The book covers both Allied and Axis warships, naval airplanes, merchant conversions and even an Italian armed schooner, and provides historic and technical information on the ships represented as well as practical advice on modelling them. The latter is extensive with twenty-five chapters covering everything from initial production techniques such as spin casting, silicon mould casting, resin casting, die-casting, plastic mould injection, and 3D printing through techniques for enhancing and modifying models to eventually researching and scratch-building an uncommon ship or type. The focus is always on particular vessels and the vast array covered by the author builds into a fascinating panorama of the vessels that fought across the world's oceans in that era. The combination of intriguing background and historical information, combined with detailed practical information and more than 300 stunning photographs will make this book irresistible to any collector or modeller and, indeed, to anyone with an interest in the navies of the Second World War.
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Dunkirk and the Little Ships
Book SynopsisDuring 1940 the German army swept with devastating speed across the Low Countries and into northern France and drove Allied forces back into a small pocket around Dunkirk. Without a swift withdrawal across the English Channel, the latter faced certain death or capture. The evacuation plan – Operation Dynamo – initially calculated that 45,000 men might be rescued, but between 26 May and 4 June 338,226 men were in fact brought back to England. Naval historian Philip Weir shows how this was made possible by a vast armada of disparate vessels including destroyers, minesweepers, fishing vessels and, most famously of all, the privately owned ‘Little Ships’. He explores the vessels’ various roles within the evacuation, and their subsequent fates, including preservation and participation in commemorative return runs to the port, which now take place every five years.Table of ContentsThe Fall of France The Evacuation The Ships Other Evacuations and the Big Ships The Five-yearly Commemorative Returns Places to Visit Index
£9.49
Haynes Publishing Group HMS Victory (Icon)
Book SynopsisWhen she was launched in 1765, HMS Victory was the ultimate warship of the Georgian era. As Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, she has since become inextricably linked to the memory of Britain's greatest naval hero. The Victory was built in the 18th century, with an expected life span of less than two decades, so the fact that she survives today – over 250 years later – is remarkable., Published with the cooperation of the Royal Navy this book takes readers onboard Nelson's Victory to examine the innermost workings of this maritime icon – from stem to stem, above and below decks., Author: Peter Goodwin was a marine engineer in the Royal Navy in both surface ships and nuclear submarines until 1991 when he was appointed the first Keeper and Curator of HMS Victory. He has a life-long interest in 18th century ship construction and is widely acknowledged as a leading authority on the sailing man-of-war. In this capacity he was the advisor for the film 'Master and Commander' and the BBCTV series 'Persuasion'., Icon titles were originally published in the classic, larger manual size and have now been produced in a smaller format containing the same information.
£12.34
Helion & Company A Naval History of the Middle East
£28.00
Anness Publishing Illustrated Guide to Frigates of the World
Book SynopsisThis fully illustrated reference book charts the complete history of frigates, from their post-World War I function as escort vessels, their role as sloops and corvettes, and their subsequent transformation into post-World War II anti-submarine vessels. A country-by-country directory of over 70 classes describes the main characteristics of each vessel. Each entry, with its expert commentary and high-quality photography, is accompanied by a specification box detailing country of origin, displacement, dimensions, armament, machinery, power, performance and protection. A useful glossary containing definitions of key naval terms is included at the back of the book. With its lively narrative and over 235 photographs, this authoritative volume provides historians and enthusiasts with key information about these important naval vessels.
£9.49
Helion & Company Of Islands, Ports and Sea Lanes: Africa and the
Book Synopsis
£31.50
Penguin Books Ltd The Command of the Ocean
Book SynopsisThe Command of the Ocean describes with unprecedented authority and scholarship the rise of Britain to naval greatness, and the central place of the Navy and naval activity in the life of the nation and government. It describes not just battles, voyages and cruises but how the Navy was manned, how it was supplied with timber, hemp and iron, how its men (and sometimes women) were fed, and above all how it was financed and directed. It was during the century and a half covered by this book that the successful organizing of these last three - victualling, money and management - took the Navy to the heart of the British state. It is the great achievement of the book to show how completely integrated and mutually dependent Britain and the Navy then became.
£17.00
Penguin Books Ltd The Silent Deep
Book Synopsis''The Ministry of Defence does not comment upon submarine operations'' is the standard response of officialdom to enquiries about the most secretive and mysterious of Britain''s armed forces, the Royal Navy Submarine Service. Written with unprecedented co-operation from the Service itself and privileged access to documents and personnel, The Silent Deep is the first authoritative history of the Submarine Service from the end of the Second World War to the present. It gives the most complete account yet published of the development of Britain''s submarine fleet, its capabilities, its weapons, its infrastructure, its operations and above all - from the testimony of many submariners and the first-hand witness of the authors - what life is like on board for the denizens of the silent deep.Dramatic episodes are revealed for the first time: how HMS Warspite gathered intelligence against the Soviet Navy''s latest ballistic-missile-carrying submarine in the late 1960s;Trade ReviewA tour de force, a valuable resource for naval historians and future generations to wonder at. And I can't help hoping that our current leaders will make themselves aware of some vitally significant issues that it raises. -- Admiral Lord West * Spectator *The lay reader cannot fail to be absorbed by its dramatic tales of cat-and-mouse skirmishes with Soviet hunter-killer submarines, embarrassing spy scandals and lucid accounts of the Falklands War - all enlivened with first-hand testimony from the submariners themselves. -- Richard Blackmore * Independent *
£16.99
Faber & Faber Secrets of the Conqueror The Untold Story of
Book SynopsisHMS Conqueror is Britain''s most famous submarine. It is the only sub since World War Two to have sunk an enemy ship. Conqueror''s sinking of the Argentine cruiser Belgrano made inevitable an all-out war over the future of the Falkland Islands, and sparked off one of the most controversial episodes of twentieth century politics. The controversy was fuelled by a war-diary kept by an officer on board HMS Conqueror, and as a young TV producer in the 1980s Stuart Prebble scooped the world by locating the diary''s author and getting his story on the record. But in the course of uncovering his Falklands story, Stuart Prebble also learned a military secret which could have come straight out of a Cold War thriller. It involved the Top Secret activities of the Conqueror in the months before and after the Falklands War.Prebble has waited for thirty years to tell his story. It is a story of incredible courage and derring-do, of men
£11.69
Transworld Publishers Ltd Kursk
Book SynopsisBut above all, he tells the nail-bitingly poignant human story of the families waiting ashore, of the desperate efforts of British, Norwegian and Russian rescuers, and of the Kursk sailors, trapped in the aft compartnemt, waiting for rescue, as a horrified world followed their battle to stay alive .Trade ReviewIt takes you through each nail biting moment, willing it to turn out differently. Heartbreaking, humane and, at times, all too vivid. I’ve rarely read such a gripping work of non fiction. -- COLIN FIRTHThe Kursk was once the pride of the Russian navy and a symbol of state power . . . her story, harrowingly detailed . . . stands as a testament to the bravery and loyalty of men to a nation that failed them -- Martin Robson * THE TIMES *Gripping . . . a moving tragedy redeemed by acts of extraordinary courage . . . has the plot, the tension and the excitement of a film -- Orlando Figes * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *
£9.99
Pen & Sword Books Ltd How The Uboats Were Defeated
£26.99
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Schnellbootwaffe
Book SynopsisDetailed story of S-Boote operations during WWIISuperb photos, illustrations and mapsIncludes the full story of high-level naval strategies that posed a real threat to the Allies until the end of WWIICollected and written by an expert in war studies
£13.49
Pen & Sword Books Ltd A Sailors Odyssey
Book SynopsisThe autobiography of Britain's greatest fighting admiral of the twentieth century. A fascinating and at times gripping memoir. A new introduction that contextualises the Admiral's achievements.
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Imperial Japanese Navy in the Pacific War
Book SynopsisFrom the stunning victory at Pearl Harbor to its dramatic reversal at Midway, the Imperial Japanese Navy swept all before it in its numerous victories in the Pacific and Far Eastern waters. The Imperial Japanese Navy in the Pacific War pulls from many of Osprey''s bestselling books on the subject in addition to the most recent research on the subject, including many sources from Japan, and is the most recent and accurate book on this fascinating force.Even after its setback at midway, the IJN remained a powerful force and inflicted sever setbacks on the US Navy at Guadalcanal and elsewhere. The Imperial Japanese Navy focuses on the Japanese ships which fought the battles in the Pacific including design details, where and when they were engaged and their ultimate effectiveness. In addition, the construction, design and service history of each ship from destroyer size on up is included. A comprehensive survey of the submarine force is also included. Modifications of each sTable of ContentsIntroduction Imperial Japanese Navy Strategy and Doctrine in the Pacific War The Imperial Japanese Navy in the Pacific War Aircraft Carriers Battleships Heavy Cruisers Light Cruisers Destroyers Submarines Conclusion and Analysis Bibliography Index
£28.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Hunt the Bismarck
Book SynopsisHunt the Bismarck tells the story of Operation Rheinübung, the Atlantic sortie of Nazi Germany''s largest battleship, Bismarck, in May 1941 and her subsequent pursuit by the Royal Navy. Bismarck entered naval service in the summer of 1940. She was well-armed, with eight 15in guns as well as a powerful array of lighter weapons, while her armoured protection earned her the reputation of being unsinkable.This claim was put to the test in May 1941 when she sortied into the Atlantic and fought the legendary battle of the Denmark Strait, destroying HMS Hood, the pride of the Royal Navy. Bismarck was now loose in the North Atlantic. However, damage sustained in the battle limited her ability to roam at will, and the Royal Navy deployed the Home Fleet to avenge the sinking of the Hood. The stage was set for the greatest chase story in the history of naval warfare. Drawing on a wealth of first-hand accounts and iTable of ContentsPrologue Time, Speed, Distance and Bearing Preface Chapter 1: The Bismarck Chapter 2: Germany’s Atlantic Strategy Chapter 3: The Home Fleet Chapter 4: Preparations Chapter 5: Through the Baltic Chapter 6: Sojourn in Norway Chapter 7: Move and Countermove Chapter 8: The Denmark Strait Chapter 9: Duel at Dawn Chapter 10: Hood Has Blown Up Chapter 11: Breakout into the Atlantic Chapter 12: Hunting for the Bismarck Chapter 13: Air Strike Chapter 14: Destroyers in the Night Chapter 15: The Final Battle Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC HMS Victory Pocket Manual 1805
Book SynopsisA history of life on board HMS Victory, the world''s most famous warship.This addition to the best-selling Conway pocket-book range explores Admiral Nelson's fully preserved flagship HMS Victory, the most tangible symbol of the Royal Navy's greatest battle off Cape Trafalgar on October 21st 1805.Peter Goodwin, the leading historian of the sailing man-of-war, explains the workings of the only surviving line of battle' ship of the Napoleonic Wars. And, as Victory was engaged in battle for only two per cent of her active service, the book also provides a glimpse into life and work at sea during the other ninety-eight per cent of the time.Drawing from a selection of contemporary documents and records, Goodwin explains the day-to-day running of a three-decker Georgian warship: victualling, organisation, discipline, domestic arrangements and medical care. He answers questions such as: What types of wood were used in building Victory?'; What was her longest
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Japanese Combined Fleet 194142
Book SynopsisLaunching Osprey''s new Fleet series, this is a spectacularly illustrated, concise and comprehensive account of the Imperial Japanese Navy''s striking force at the height of its power.The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) entered the Pacific War as one of the most formidable navies in the world, and its combat power was concentrated into one force, the Combined Fleet. In the months that followed Pearl Harbor it enjoyed an unrivaled string of victories, shattering American, British, Australian, and Dutch naval forces. This period of expansion and constant victories ended at the Battle of Midway, after which the Combined Fleet was forced onto the defensive. In this book, Mark Stille draws on his decades of IJN research to explain what made the Combined Fleet the fighting force that it was. Packed with superb original artwork, explanatory 3D diagrams and maps, it examines the fleet''s doctrine, innovative tactics and powerful warships. It also details the qualities and importance of ITable of ContentsTHE FLEET’S PURPOSE Background to War Pre-War Plans Early War Strategy FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships Technical Factors HOW THE FLEET OPERATED Organization Command and Control Doctrine Intelligence and Deception Logistics and Facilities COMBAT AND ANALYSIS The Fleet in Combat Analysis FURTHER READING INDEX
£14.39
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Spoils of War: The Fate of Enemy Fleets after the
Book SynopsisWhile a large number of books have dealt with the navies and war at sea during the World Wars, the immediate aftermaths have generally received only minimal coverage. However, the fates of defeated navies are of enormous interest from a number of perspectives. These include the relative priorities of the victorious powers, acquisition and testing of ex-enemy materiel and the intended future capabilities of those ex-enemy navies that were to be allowed to continue to exist. This new book traces the histories of navies and ships of the defeated powers from the months leading up to the relevant armistices or surrenders through to the final execution of the appropriate post-war settlements. In doing so, it discusses the way in which the victorious powers reached their final demands, how these were implemented, and to what effect. The later histories of ships that saw subsequent service, either in their original navies or in those navies which acquired them, are also described. In doing this, much use is made of material drawn from archival, and in some cases archaeological, sources, some of which has never previously been used. Through these, a wide range of long-standing myths are busted, and some badly distorted modern views and assessments of events in the wake of the conflicts put right. The fascinating narrative will be accompanied by tabulated lists of all major navy-built (and certain significant ex-mercantile) enemy ships in commission at the relevant date of the armistice or surrender, or whose hulks were specifically listed for attention in post-Second World War allied agreements. These will include key dates in their careers and their ultimate fates. This highly original book, drawing on archaeological evidence as well as archival sources, and including numerous photographs will become an essential reference tool for all those interested in the naval history of the two World Wars.
£28.00
Anness Publishing The Illustrated Guide to Aircraft Carriers of the
Book SynopsisThis is a complete guide to aircraft carriers, from zeppelin and seaplane carriers to V/STOL and nuclear-powered carriers. It examines the evolution of the aircraft carrier, from the first flights from ships in World War I, developments during the inter-war years and World War II battles such as Pearl Harbor, through to modern carriers used in the Falklands. It is a comprehensive country-by-country directory of all the major aircraft carriers, with expert text describing each vessel's construction, appearance, function and history. It features over 500 photographs illustrating each type. Specification boxes provide information about country of origin, the company that built the carrier, construction and completion dates, displacement, dimensions, types of aircraft carried, armament, power and performance. This impressive encyclopedia is both a fascinating history of the aircraft carrier's development and a comprehensive visual directory of more than 170 of the world's aviation ships over nearly a century. Each entry is accompanied by a specification panel, and all the carriers are accompanied by identification photographs, many of which have never previously been published together in one volume. With magnificent illustrations and up-to-date information, this book provides both enthusiasts and historians with key information about the world's aircraft carriers, and is an essential reference for everyone interested in naval aviation.
£10.79
Fonthill Media Ltd King George V-Class Battleships
Book SynopsisFollowing the First World War the major naval powers entered into an agreement restricting the construction of capital ships and limiting the numbers that signatories were allowed to maintain, so numerous ships were scrapped or disposed of and the majority of planned vessel were either cancelled whilst being built or never laid down. By the late 1920s the Royal Navy’s battle force comprised of the two Nelson-class ships, the battlecruisers ‘Hood’, ‘Renown’ and ‘Repulse’, and ‘Revenge’ and Queen Elizabeth-class ships, all designed before the First World War. In 1928 the Royal Navy began planning a new class of battleships which was put on hold with the signing of the Treaty of London. In 1935, realising its battle fleet was becoming dated as other nations laid down new classes of battleships, the Royal Navy recommenced planning capital ships within treaty limitations. The result was the King George V-class battleships. Regarded by some as the worst new-generation battleships in the Second World War the King George V-class were Britain’s most modern battleships during the conflict and saw action in some of the most famous engagements from the sinking of the ‘Bismarck’ in 1941 to the surrender of Japan in 1945. This book charts the story of the King George V-class from its conception and design through to the operational history of the ships in the class.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Introduction; 1 Treaty Battleships; 2 Anatomy of the King George V-Class; 3 HMS ‘King George V’: Construction and Work Up; 4 HMS ‘Prince of Wales’: Construction and Work Up; 5 The ‘Bismarck’; 6 The Atlantic Charter; 7 Mediterranean Interlude; 8 The Singapore Strategy; 9 The Loss of HMS ‘Prince of Wales’; 10 ‘We Are All in the Same Boat Now’; 11 The Arctic Convoys; 12 ‘The Severest Test of Any’; 13 Operation Husky; 14 North Cape; 15 Tungsten; 16 The Eastern Fleet; 17 Goodwood; 18 The British Pacific Fleet; 19 Operation Iceberg; 20 Victory Over Japan; 21 After the War; 22 The Wreck of HMS ‘Prince of Wales’; Epilogue; Appendix I: Commanding Officers; Appendix II: King George V-Class and North Carolina-Class: A Comparison; Appendix III: HMS ‘Prince of Wales’ Battle of the Denmark Strait Roll of Honour; Appendix IV: The Atlantic Charter; Appendix V: Admiral Pound’s Minute; Appendix VI: HMS ‘Prince of Wales’ Roll of Honour, 10 December 1941; Endnotes; Bibliography; Index.
£32.00
Key Publishing Ltd Royal Navy Yearbook 2023-24
Book Synopsis
£8.54
Amber Books Ltd Submarines
Book SynopsisSubmarines features 300 of the most significant submarines from the first submersibles in 1776 to the present day. Each featured submarine is illustrated with an outstanding colour profile artwork and is accompanied by detailed specifications, giving powerplant, dimensions, maximum speed, range and armament. Also included is a design, development and service history of each featured submarine. The final section of the book covers underwater weapons, such as torpedoes, SLBMs and cruise missiles. Arranged alphabetically and with 300 colour illustrations and photographs, Submarines is an authoritative and accessible reference work, which will appeal to anyone with an interest in military technology and naval history. Contains 300 submarines from the Turtle to the present day Includes 300 colour profile artworks Features background text and specifications for each sub
£11.69
Amber Books Ltd Modern Submarines
£16.19
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Battleships of the Bismarck Class
Book SynopsisThe warships of the World War II era German Navy are among the most popular subject in naval history with an almost uncountable number of books devoted to them. However, for a concise but authoritative summary of the design history and careers of the major surface ships it is difficult to beat a series of six volumes written by Gerhard Koop and illustrated by Klaus-Peter Schmolke. Each contains an account of the development of a particular class, a detailed description of the ships, with full technical details, and an outline of their service, heavily illustrated with plans, battle maps and a substantial collection of photographs. These have been out of print for ten years or more and are now much sought after by enthusiasts and collectors, so this new modestly priced reprint of the series will be widely welcomed. The first volume, appropriately, is devoted to the Kriesmarine's largest and most powerful units, the battleships Bismarck and Tirpitz, whose careers stand in stark contrast to each other - one with a glorious but short life, while the other was to spend a hunted existence in Norwegian fjords, all the time posing a threat to Allied sea communications, while attacked by everything from midget submarines to heavy bombers.
£15.29
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Tracing Your Merchant Navy Ancestors: A Guide for
Book SynopsisWhat was a merchant seaman's life like in the past, what experiences would he have had, what were the ships like that he sailed in, and what risks did he run? Was he shipwrecked, rewarded for bravery, or punished? And how can you find out about an ancestor who was a member of the long British maritime tradition? Simon Wills's concise and informative historical guide takes the reader and researcher through the fascinating story of Britain's merchant service, and he shows you how to trace individual men and women and gain an insight into their lives. In a series of short, information-packed chapters he explains the expansion of Britain's global maritime trade and the fleets of merchant ships that sustained it in peace and war. He describes the lives, duties and tribulations of the generations of crews who sailed in these ships, whether as ordinary seamen or as officers, stewards, engineers and a myriad of other roles. And he identifies the websites you can explore, the archives, records and books you can read, and the places you can visit in order to gain an understanding of what your seagoing ancestor did and the world he knew. Simon Wills's practical handbook will be essential reading and reference for anyone who is keen to discover for themselves the secrets of our maritime past and of the crewmembers and ships that were part of it.Trade ReviewWhether you are researching a seaman or a ship, Tracing your Merchant Navy Ancestors is a book that will hold your interest from cover to cover, with a wealth of information contained in a well structured chapters, making it easy to dip into. This is an easy to read informative book that will be an essential reference guide for those with seamen in their families. - North Irish Ancestors, Sandra Ardis
£12.34
Crecy Publishing The Phantom of Scapa Flow: The Daring Exploit of
Book SynopsisOn the night of 13/14 October 1939, the German commander of U-boat U-47, Günther Prien, steered past the sunken block ships and chains which inadequately protected the British naval base at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. The U-Boat sank the old British World War I battleship HMS Royal Oak and then escaped into the North Sea. The loss of the Royal Oak was insignificant in naval terms though over 800 men perished with her, however this was a bitter blow to British moral. There have been two ''Phantoms'' of Scapa Flow. The first was U-47 and how she slipped through the heart of the heavily defended base. The second was the insistence of Prien that he hit two warships that night. The British Admiralty admitted only to the loss of Royal Oak. The second phantom is that unknown ship claimed by Prien.This book investigates both phantoms beginning with a dramatic reconstruction of the German operation. The second part is the result of research in both Britain and Germany including much evidence gathered from surviving eye witnesses on both sides. In a series of appendices the various conflicting facts and opinions are laid before the reader, producing a remarkable picture of the actual events.
£8.54
Firefly Books Graphic War Navy
Book SynopsisPrepare to embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of naval warfare during World War II with Graphic War Navy. Following the success of Graphic War: The Secret Aviation Drawings and Illustrations of World War II, Donald Nijboer unveils a treasure trove of top-secret drawings that have remained unpublished.
£32.00
Skyhorse Publishing If a Pirate I Must Be: The True Story of Black
Book SynopsisIn a page-turning tale brimming with adventure, author Richard Sanders tells of the remarkable exploits of Bartholomew Roberts (better known as Black Bart), the greatest of the Caribbean pirates. He drank tea instead of rum. He banned women and gambling on his ships. He never made his prisoners walk the plank, instead inviting them into his cabin for a friendly chat. And during the course of his extraordinary two-and-a-half-year career as a pirate captain, he captured four hundred prizes and brought trade in the eastern Caribbean to a standstill. In If a Pirate I Must Be..., Richard Sanders tells the larger-than-life story of Bartholomew Roberts, a.k.a. Black Bart. Born in a rural town, Roberts rose from third mate on a slave ship to pirate captain in a matter of months. Before long, his combination of audaciousness and cunning won him fame and fortune from the fisheries of Newfoundland to the slave ports of West Africa. Sanders brings to life a fascinating world of theatre and ritual, where men (a third of whom were black) lived a close-knit, egalitarian life, democratically electing their officers and sharing their spoils. They were highly (if surreptitiously) popular with many merchants, with whom they struck incredibly lucrative deals. Yet with a fierce team of Royal Navy pirate hunters tracking his every move, Roberts’ heyday would prove a brief one, and with his capture, the Golden Age of pirates would pass into the lore and legend of books and movies. Based on historical records, journals and letters from pirates under Roberts’ command, and on writings by Roberts himself, If a Pirate I Must Be... is the true story of the greatest pirate ever to sail the Caribbean.
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Combat Divers
Book SynopsisThe full visual history of the special forces combat diver from World War II to the present day.Combat divers are an elite within an elite. Every special forces combat diver is required to pass selection twice first into the elite military unit and then a combat diving qualification. The combat dive units themselves are tiny and the operations highly classified. The role of a military diver is inevitably a lonely and a dangerous one, whether clearing mines or striking from the sea against enemy-held targets. Fully illustrated with rare and unusual images, Combat Divers reveals their little-known yet fascinating operations, from Dutch Special Forces combat divers covertly operating against Somali pirates to the actions of Soviet Spetsnaz divers in Swedish territorial waters during the Cold War. It also examines how the most famous units, such as the US Navy SEALs and the Royal Navy''s SBS, are currently operating and adapting to threats in a multitude of theatres. CombTrade ReviewA wide ranging and well-presented look into the murky world of military divers. * The Armourer *Altogether a superb effort putting the spotlight on some of the world's toughest undersea operators. * Warships IFR *Well-crafted and stimulating read, this is a fitting tribute to some extraordinary people - highly recommended. * Navy Books *This is a positive addition to the library of combat diving, and should be of great interest to civilians who are intrigued by this clandestine genre of warfare, as well as useful to non-specialist officers and senior ratings who interface with the organisations who employ such personnel. * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Acronyms and Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1. Frogmen: The Beginning Chapter 2. Experimental Diving Chapter 3. Combined Operations Pilotage Parties Chapter 4. Far East Operations Chapter 5. Scandinavia Targeted Chapter 6. Special Forces Diver Units Chapter 7. Female Military Divers Chapter 8. Special Forces Diver Selection and Training Chapter 9. Combat Diver Infiltration Options Chapter 10. Anti-Terrorism and Piracy Chapter 11. Mine and Bomb Disposal Chapter 12. Swimmer Delivery Vehicles and Dry Deck Shelters Chapter 13. Mini-Submarines Chapter 14. Combat Divers’ Equipment Chapter 15. Weapons Underwater Chapter 16. Marine Mammals at War Chapter 17. Remote and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Chapter 18. Undersea Spying and Sabotage Chapter 19. The Future Further Reading and Bibliography Index
£29.75
HarperCollins Publishers Devil Dogs A New History of the Second World War
Book SynopsisA Times History Book of the Year 2022From Sunday Times bestselling historian Saul David, the dramatic tale of the first American troops to take the fight to the enemy in the Second World War, and also the last.The Devil Dogs' of K Company, 3/5 Marines, were part of the legendary first Marine Division. They landed on the beaches of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in 1942 the first US ground offensive of the war and were present when Okinawa, Japan's most southerly prefecture, finally fell to American troops after a bitter struggle in June 1945. In between they fought in the Green Hell' of Cape Gloucester on the island of New Britain, and across the coral wasteland of Peleliu in the Palau Islands, a campaign described by one K Company veteran as thirty days of the meanest, around-the-clock slaughter that desperate men can inflict on each other.'Ordinary men from very different backgrounds, and drawn from cities, towns, and settlements across America, the Devil Dogs were asked to do Trade Review PRAISE FOR DEVIL DOGS ‘Exquisite detail…subtly textured… the Pacific War is rendered in painful and poignant detail… A narrative that reads like war in real time. It's war unplugged: cruelty, destruction, pain, but also love, kindness and camaraderie. I cried for these men and then thanked God that I will never have to send my son to war.’ Times ‘Brilliant… A chronicle that is part Hollwood film-script, but never less than vigorously researched history. David has a claim to be our finest military historian… Superb’’Daily Telegraph ‘David recounts in this stirring saga the WWII campaigns of Company K, the 1st Marine Division unit … Skillfully plumbing the rich array of firsthand accounts by Company K veterans, David vividly describes pillbox raids, accidental deaths, and hellish jungle conditions, and draws incisive portraits of Marine officers and their command decisions. The result is a captivating chronicle of the war in the Pacific’Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR SBS: SILENT WARRIORS A SUNDAY TIMES #4 BESTSELLER A TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 ‘This is a terrific book, written with all the gusto, thrills and heady excitement these SBS operations richly deserve. It really is one of the most enjoyable histories I’ve read in many a year’James Holland, Daily Telegraph, five stars ‘It’s an extraordinary trawl through the archives, backed up with diaries and interviews; an accomplished act of storytelling… David has written a book that often gladdens the heart, but also makes you think about the nature of sacrifice’ Times ‘A brilliant account of how the SBS was born from wartime needs, and just how much the organisation and its affiliated units were able to achieve in those early years’Daily Mail
£9.49
Oxford University Press Churchill and the Dardanelles
Book SynopsisThe story of the highly controversial First World War campaign that nearly destroyed Churchill's reputation for good and of his decades-long battle to set the record straight - a battle which ultimately helped clear the way for Churchill's appointment as Prime Minister in Britain's 'darkest hour'.Trade Review'In this highly readable and comprehensive treatment, Christopher M. Bell treats the evidence with forensic care and delivers arguments that are consistently nuanced and fair. The book casts new light both on Churchill himself and on the wider question of civil-military relations during World War I' * Richard Toye, author of The Roar of the Lion *'A book which combines a thoroughly researched, well-written and convincing new assessment of one of the British Empire's most controversial and disputed campaigns with a thoughtful and reflective survey of how the episode has come to be understood since ... one of the best additions to the scholarship on the First World War produced since 2014.' * David G. Morgan-Owen, English Historical Review *'This is quite simply the best naval history book that I have read this year. Christopher Bell may not have written the last word on this still very emotive subject, but I can't imagine that anyone will be able to produce a better, more equitably balanced and authoritative account of the Dardanelles operation than he has done. It is quite superb in virtually every way.' * Malcolm H. Murfett (Kings College, London), The International Journal of Maritime History *'Bell's historical judgements are balanced and fair. He has made a major contribution to British naval history and to a clearer understanding of that towering twentieth-century political figure, Winston Churchill. Bell's book will stand as the definitive study of the Dardanelles campaign and the central role of Churchill for many years to come.' * W. Mark Hamilton, The Mariner's Mirror: The International Quarterly Journal of The Society for Nautical Research *'An authoritative account.' * Paul Ridgeway, Flash: Trinity House Fraternity Review *'A marvellous book.' * Robin Brodhurst, British Journal of Military History *'Bell's conclusions are admirably balanced.' * David French, Journal of Military History *'The blame-shifting, name-calling, and finger-pointing were not stilled by an exhaustive Dardanelles Commission inquiry and its 1919 report, but should now finally come to an end a century later with the publication of this well-researched, very well-written, but above all judiciously objective book by the distinguished naval historian Christopher M. Bell... This excellent book cuts through a century of pro- and anti-Churchill writing to reach remarkably balanced conclusions.' * Andrew Roberts, Weekly Standard *'Impressive and readable... Churchill and the Dardanelles is an important and balanced book... For anyone interested in Gallipoli, or Winston Churchill, it is essential reading.' * Gary Sheffield, Stand To! *'Christopher Bell's outstanding Churchill and the Dardanelles... is a fantastic exposition of how academics can write successfully for a broader audience without compromising at all on the quality of their research, and comes with a hearty recommendation from me.' * David Morgan Owen, Defence in Depth *'Indispensable' * Yusuf Ali Ozkan, Gelibolu'yu Anlamak *'This is a well-written and important book which adds valuably to the literature on Churchill himself and to the strategic history of the First World War.' * David Dutton, International History Review *'Bell explores the subject afresh and does so with such mastery that the tenor of his judgments rings true. [...] In clearing away a mass of historical debris from the scene, Bell has achieved for Churchill and Gallipoli what David Reynolds accomplished for Churchill and the Second World War, the excavation of a man from the myth that he created.' * History Today *'[Churchill and the Dardanelles] is a well-written and important book which adds valuably to the literature on Churchill himself and to the strategic history of the First World War.' * David Dutton, International History Review *'Well-researched study.' * Saul Kelly, Middle Eastern Studies *'A clear and authoritative account about Churchill's role in the Dardanelles offensive. Bell's style is easily accessible for the armchair strategist but is equally thorough and well footnoted for the weathered naval historian. Everyone can appreciate the enormous efforts and herculean tasks Bell undertook to disentangle the reality of the Dardanelles from its various narrative myths.' * Warren Dockter, Churchill Bulletin *'Christopher Bell's knowledge of the sources cannot be bettered, and he has shown himself to be the ideal person to present this important, accessible reassessment' * Eric Grove, Times Literary Supplement *An extremely absorbing and highly readable work which casts new light on not only Churchill himself but on the much wider issues of the relationships between the military and civilian governments during the First World War. * History of War *'Meticulously researched and readable account.' * History of War *'This immaculate study of the First Lord of the Admiralty's disgrace and comeback is ... likely to become the definitive work on the campaign, and Churchill's role in it. What gives the book its edge is not merely Bell's scholarship, which is rigorous, but its highly original analysis of the aftermath ... Unlike most additions to the Churchill bibliography, it is truly valuable.' * Simon Heffer, The Daily Telegraph *Table of ContentsWinston Churchill and the Dardanelles: A Riddle Wrapped in Myths Inside a Legend 1: Stalemate and Frustration: The First Months of War 2: The Origins of the Naval Offensive 3: 'A Great Experiment': The Naval Plan Approved 4: 'I Will Find the Men': The Plan Remade 5: 'Groping Round Without a plan' 6: From the Dardanelles to Gallipoli 7: Jacky Fisher's Crisis 8: The Duchy of Lancaster Goes to War! 9: Exile 10: The Dardanelles Commission I: The Preliminaries 11: The Dardanelles Commission II: The Naval Staff under Scrutiny 12: The Dardanelles Commission III: An Instalment of Fair Play 13: The Cabinet Minister as Censor: The Official Histories 14: The Battle of the Memoirs 15: From Millstone to Myth: 'The Great Movement of Opinion' Conclusion: What about the Dardanelles? Notes Bibliography
£13.49
Yale University Press The War for the Seas
Book SynopsisTrade Review“The great strength of The War for the Seas is the way in which Mawdsley, a former professor of international history at Glasgow University, treats his subject as an interconnected global story. . . . This innovative, well-written single-volume account will be invaluable for all who study the Second World War.”—Ben Wilson, Times (UK)“An impeccable, myth-busting study.”—Max Hastings, Sunday Times“For WWII enthusiasts, academics, and students, this book will provide a solid grounding in how the sea was used for strategic purpose and how victory was ultimately achieved by the Allied powers.”—Jennifer F. McKinnon, Canadian Journal of History“Mastering an immense range of sources in diverse languages is only the start. Mawdsley’s real achievement is to link so many ships and fleets and armies together and in such a way as to make sense of what was going on, showing why things happened when they did, how each part affected all the rest.”—N. A. M. Rodger, London Review of Books“[A] landmark work for which its author is to be congratulated. It is the best overall history of the maritime war not least in its critical discussion of well-worn legends and the stress on factors other than naval battles. It should be acquired by everyone interested in the subject.”—Professor Eric Grove, Navy News“There is much to commend in The War for the Seas. Mawdsley’s impressive scholarship and sound judgement are evident throughout the volume. The book provides both a solid overview of the maritime war and a thought-provoking analysis of the global nature of the Second World War.”—Christopher M. Bell, Journal of Military History“This is without doubt an outstanding book…It must be very strongly recommended even to those already well instructed in the subject.”—Richard Channon, Naval Review“This is a bold and authoritative maritime history of World War II which takes a fully international perspective and challenges our existing understanding. . . . This is a detailed account of a very wide subject but the author has achieved a comprehensive history of these war years at sea.”—Shipping Today and Yesterday“Mawdsley’s book is, quite simply, a tour de force. Reviewers should hesitate before applying the word ‘definitive’ but War for the Seas is certainly that for the naval war.”—Th. W. Bottelier, Journal of Strategic Studies“This book is a truly impressive piece of scholarship, which will be a standard text for years to come.”—Tim Benbow, War in History“An essential contribution to understanding how command of the sea was won and with what consequences. Rich in detail on the tactics and technology that mattered, and on the roller-coaster campaigns in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres, Mawdsley provides the first full, integrated account of a truly global dimension to the war.”—Richard Overy, author of The Bombing War: Europe, 1939–1945“The beautifully crafted and deeply research maritime history of WWII that we have always needed. Few books deserve to be called ‘definitive’—this is one of them.”—Joseph Maiolo, author of Cry Havoc: How the Arms Race Drove the World to War 1931–1941“Will be prized for its concision, clarity and sound judgement, all backed by impeccable scholarship.”—Simon Ball, The Bitter Sea: The Struggle for Mastery in the Mediterranean, 1935–1949“This powerfully argued re-appraisal establishes Command of the Sea as the critical issue that shaped and defined the Second World War. By securing control of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean the Allies were able to operate together, including supplying the Soviet Union with essential aid. The same Command of the Sea kept the Axis powers apart, and they were defeated in detail by globally deployable air and land forces.”—Andrew Lambert, author of The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812“Accentuated by his highly readable style, this is an excellent introductory work.”—D. M. Hall, Lake Erie College
£16.99
