Naval forces and warfare Books

1150 products


  • The Battleship Bismarck

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Battleship Bismarck

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Bismarck is perhaps the most famous and notorious warship ever built. Completed in 1941, the 45,000-ton German battleship sank HMS Hood, the pride of the British Navy, during one of the most sensational encounters in naval history. Following the sinking, Bismarck was chased around the North Atlantic by many units of the Royal Navy. She was finally dispatched with gunfire and torpedoes on 27 May, less than five months after her completion. Her wreck still lies where she sank, 4,800m down and 960km off the west coast of France. Drawing on new research and technology, this edition is the most comprehensive examination of Bismarck ever published. It includes a complete set of detailed line drawings with fully descriptive keys and full-colour 3D artwork, supported by technical details, photographs and text on the building of the ship and a record of the ship's service history.

    15 in stock

    £29.75

  • Battleships Yamato and Musashi

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Battleships Yamato and Musashi

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisEquipped with the largest guns and heaviest armour and with the greatest displacement of any ship ever built, the Yamato proved to be a formidable opponent to the US Pacific Fleet in the Second World War. The book contains a full description of the design and construction of the battleship including wartime modifications, and a career history followed by a substantial pictorial section with rare onboard views of Yamato and her sister ship Musashi, a comprehensive portfolio of more than 1,020 perspective line artworks, 350 colour 3D views, and 30 photographs. The wreck of Musashi has been recently discovered to great excitement in Japan, renewing interest in these iconic warships.Janusz Skulski''s anatomies of three renowned ships of the 20th century Japanese navy are among the most comprehensive of the Anatomy series with hundreds of meticulously researched drawings of the ships. Since their first publication he has continued to research

    15 in stock

    £38.25

  • Battleships of World War I & World War II

    Amber Books Ltd Battleships of World War I & World War II

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisFor centuries, battleships provided overwhelming firepower at sea. They were not only a major instrument of warfare, but a visible emblem of a nation’s power, wealth and pride. The rise of the aircraft carrier following the Japanese aerial strike on Pearl Harbor in 1941 highlighted the vulnerabilities of the battleship, bringing about its demise as a dominant class of warship. This book offers a detailed guide to the major types of battleships to fight in the two World Wars. Explore HMS Dreadnought, the first of a class of fast, big-gun battleships to be developed at the beginning of the 20th century; see the great capital ships that exchanged salvos at the battle of Jutland, including the German battlecruiser Derfflinger, which sank the British battleship Queen Mary; find out about the destruction of HMS Hood, which exploded after exchanging fire with the Bismarck, which itself was sunk after a trans-Atlantic chase by a combination of battery fire and aircraft-launched torpedoes; and be amazed at the ‘super-battleship’ Yamato, which despite its size and firepower, made minimal contribution to Japan’s war effort and was sunk by air attack during the defence of Okinawa. Illustrated with more than 120 vivid artworks and photographs, Technical Guide: Battleships of World War I and World War II is an essential reference guide for modellers and naval warfare enthusiasts.Table of ContentsContents to include: World War I: Jaureguiberry 1896 Canopus 1899 Kearsarge 1900 Mikasa 1902 Tsessarevitch 1903 Dreadnought 1906 Schleswig-Holstein 1908 South Carolina 1910 Hercules 1911 Lion 1912 Wyoming 1912 Derfflinger 1913 Kongo 1913 Royal Oak (or Revenge) 1914 Texas 1914 Andrea Doria 1915 Queen Elizabeth 1915 Barham 1915 Canada 1915 Fuso 1915 Provence 1915 Nevada 1916 Bayern 1916 Royal Sovereign 1916 Courageous 1917 Ise 1917 Mississippi 1917 World War II: Hood 1920 Nagato 1920 Jaime I 1922 Rodney 1927 Lutzow/Graf Spee 1933 Gneisenau 1938 Dunkerque 1937 Scharnhorst 1939 Littorio 1940 Bismarck 1940 Prince of Wales 1940 Richelieu 1940 Yamato 1940 Vittorio Veneto 1940 Prince of Wales 1941 Tirpitz 1941 Howe 1942 Indiana 1942 Iowa 1943 Missouri 1944 Guam 1944 Vanguard 1946

    2 in stock

    £16.19

  • Japanese Combined Fleet 194142

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Japanese Combined Fleet 194142

    2 in stock

    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

    2 in stock

    £14.39

  • The Battleship Scharnhorst

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Battleship Scharnhorst

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Kriegsmarines Scharnhorst was a German capital ship, described either as a battleship or battlecruiser, and the lead ship of her class, which included one other ship, Gneisenau. She was launched on 3 October 1936 and completed in January 1939, armed with nine 28cm C/34 guns in three triple turrets. She operated with Gneisenau for much of the early portion of World War II, including sorties into the Atlantic to raid British merchant shipping. They took part in Operation Weserübung (AprilJune 1940), the German invasion of Norway, during which they sank the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious and her escort destroyers Acasta and Ardent. Scharnhorst also sank HMS Rawalpindi in November 1939. In early 1943, Scharnhorst joined the Tirpitz in Norway to intercept Allied convoys to the Soviet Union. On a sortie from Norway to attack a convoy, the German force was intercepted by British ships and during the Battle of the

    15 in stock

    £34.00

  • Early Pacific Raids 1942

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Early Pacific Raids 1942

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA fascinating exploration of how between February 1 and March 10, 1942, three small US task forces launched several unexpected raids across the Japanese defensive perimeter in the Central and South Pacific. After the devastating Japanese blows of December 1941, the Allies found themselves reeling with defeat everywhere in the Pacific. Although stripped of his battleships and outnumbered 10:3 in carriers, the US Navy commander-in-chief Admiral Ernest J. King decided to hit back at Japan''s rapidly expanding Pacific empire immediately, in an effort to keep the Japanese off-balance. On February 1, 1942, Vice Admiral Bill Halsey led the US Pacific Fleet carriers on their first raid, using high-speed hit-and-run tactics to strike at the Japanese, at a time when most of the Japanese carrier fleet was in the Indian Ocean. Halsey''s aggressive commitment inspired its American participants to invent the mythical Haul Ass With Halsey club. The last of the 1942 US carrieTrade ReviewAn enjoyable read that covers a lot of action. -- Neil Smith * Wargames Illustrated *Table of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN Pearl Harbor and aftermath, December 7–10, 1941 Failed Wake Island relief, December 14–23 Yamamoto’s Submarine Offensive against Hawaii and the US West Coast, December 1941 Reforming the US Pacific Fleet 1941–42 Reinforcing the Central and South Pacific CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Japanese United States OPPOSING FORCES Japanese United States Marshalls–Gilberts raid orders of battle, February 1, 1942 OPPOSING PLANS Japanese United States THE CAMPAIGN Commander Michimune Inaba’s I-6 torpedoes Saratoga, January 11, 1942 US Pacific Fleet carrier plans, January 1942 Operation R: the Japanese invasion of Rabaul and Kavieng, January 20–23, 1942 Brown’s aborted Task Force 11 raid against Wake, January 23, 1942 Halsey and Fletcher raid the Marshalls and Gilberts, February 1, 1942 US Pacific Fleet strategy, February 1942 Japanese carrier actions, February 1–19, 1942 Action off Bougainville, February 20, 1942 Halsey’s Task Force 16 raids Wake Island, February 24, 1942 Halsey strikes Marcus Island, March 4, 1942 Shokaku and Zuikaku redeploy to defend the Home Islands The Japanese invasion of Lae and Salamaua, March 8, 1942 Brown and Fletcher strike Lae and Salamaua, March 10, 1942 AFTERMATH THE BATTLEFIELDS TODAY SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

    15 in stock

    £15.29

  • The Aircraft Carrier Hiryu

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Aircraft Carrier Hiryu

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA uniquely detailed study of a Japanese aircraft carrier that took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor, before being sunk at Midway.Hiryu was an aircraft carrier built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the 1930s. Her aircraft supported the Japanese invasion of French Indochina in mid-1940 and during the first month of the Pacific War, she took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Wake Island. She supported the conquest of the Dutch East Indies in January 1942 and her aircraft bombed Darwin, Australia, and continued to assist in the Dutch East Indies campaign. In April, Hiryu''s aircraft helped sink two British heavy cruisers and several merchant ships during the Indian Ocean raid. After a brief refit, Hiryu and three other fleet carriers of the First Air Fleet participated in the Battle of Midway in June 1942. After bombarding American forces on the atoll, the carriers were attacked by aircraft from Midway and the Trade ReviewI have seen similar books with 3D artwork before, but nothing has come close the sheer detail and quantity to be found in this one. Simply stunning book. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *Stefan Draminski has done an incredible job of creating a coherent set of ship’s plans, drawing on original documents from the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, as well as providing a potted history of Japanese carrier development and the career of Hiryu herself. -- Joe Coles * HushKit Magazine *An excellent and detailed guide -- Duncan Evans * The Armourer Magazine *Draminski has ably put together a book that is highly detailed but accessible -- James Bosbotinis * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction Technical Description History Primary Views The Drawings: A General arrangements B Hull structure C Superstructure D Rig E Armament F Fittings G Aircraft H Boats

    15 in stock

    £36.00

  • Japans Indian Ocean Raid 1942

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Japans Indian Ocean Raid 1942

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn detailed illustrated exploration of the Japanese raid into the Indian Ocean in April 1942 one of the largest operations conducted by the Imperial Navy during the war.In the wake of Japan's conquest of Burma in early 1942, plans were formed by the Imperial high command to capture Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka) to consolidate Japan's defensive perimeter and disrupt British shipping lanes to India, Australia, and the Middle East. The Imperial Japanese Army, however, could not release sufficient troops for an invasion, and so in response the Japanese Navy developed Operation C, an aggressive raid by the Combined Fleet into the Indian Ocean. The key objective was to destroy the British Eastern Fleet in port.Expert naval historian Mark Stille documents the high point of Japanese naval air power as its carriers struck Ceylon the heart of British naval power in the East sinking several Allied ships. He describes the Allied air attempts to destroy Admiral Chuichi NaTable of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Japanese British OPPOSING FORCES Japanese British Orders of Battle OPPOSING PLANS Japanese British THE CAMPAIGN Opening Japanese Moves The Invasion of the Andaman Island The Striking Force Enters the Indian Ocean Somerville’s Manoeuvring The Striking Force is Detected The Attack on Colombo The Death of Cornwall and Dorsetshire Shadow Boxing Between 5 and 9 April The Attack on Trincomalee Operations of the Malaya Unit Striking Force Japanese Submarine Operations Operation C – the Final Accounting AFTERMATH FURTHER READING INDEX

    15 in stock

    £15.29

  • German High Seas Fleet 191418

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC German High Seas Fleet 191418

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisA superbly illustrated new account of how Germany''s High Seas Fleet was built, operated and fought, as it challenged the world''s most powerful navy in World War I.Seven years before the outbreak of World War I, the Imperial German Navy rebranded its Home Fleet as the Hochseeflotte, or High Seas Fleet. It was a force designed to take on the Royal Navy, then the world's most powerful, and for the next four years the North Sea would be their battleground.Drawing on extensive research, Angus Konstam offers the reader a concise, fully illustrated account of how the entire High Seas Fleet was designed and built, how it operated, and how it fought. The fleet was a modern, balanced force of dreadnought battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers and torpedo boats, using Zeppelins and U-boats for reconnaissance. The ultimate test between them came in May 1916, when they clashed at Jutland.Packed with spectacular original artwork, maps, 3D diagrams and archive photos, it Table of ContentsTHE FLEET'S PURPOSE The Kaiser's 'Luxury Fleet' The Risk Theory Force Balancing FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships Technology Light Forces HOW THE FLEET OPERATED Organization Command and Control Communications and Intelligence Bases and Logistics COMBAT AND ANALYSIS The Fleet in Combat Analysis FURTHER READING

    3 in stock

    £14.39

  • British Fiji Class Cruisers and their Derivatives

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd British Fiji Class Cruisers and their Derivatives

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisA follow-up to the author's highly regarded history of British Town' class cruisers, this book takes the same approach, combining coverage of the development, design details and career highlights of the original class as well as the Uganda, Minotaur and Tiger designs that were derived from them. Often called the Colony' class, they were an attempt to incorporate the characteristics of the preceding Town' class within the reduced 8,000-ton limit agreed under the 1936 London Treaty. In general layout, they resembled the earlier class but adopted upright rather than raked funnels and masts. The use of a flat, transom stern conferred both hydrodynamic and internal space advantages.Not surprisingly, they turned out to be very cramped ships which struggled to accommodate all the wartime additions of extra electronics and light AA guns, as well as the increased crew needed to man them. Many of the later modifications to existing ships and alterations to the succeeding designs were attempts to

    7 in stock

    £40.00

  • Ansons Navy

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd Ansons Navy

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisPrequel to the author's 40,000-copy bestseller Nelson's Navy

    1 in stock

    £32.00

  • Operation Pedestal 1942

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Operation Pedestal 1942

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisA fascinating story of a key turning point in the War in the Mediterranean, as the island of Malta was thrown a vital lifeline. Since 1940, the island of Malta had been a thorn in the Axis'' side. It sat astride the direct sea route between Italy and its North African colonies, and from 1941 the Royal Navy had used the island as a base for its attacks on Axis convoys. The island, though, relied on convoys to survive, and from early 1941 these came under increasingly heavy air and submarine attack. As the situation became critical in 1942, the decision was made to send through a heavily protected convoy, carrying fuel and supplies, in an effort to save the island. This mission was codenamed Operation Pedestal. This fascinating work describes how, after leaving Britain on 2 August 1942, the convoy was repeatedly pummeled by Axis air and submarine attacks as it ground its way towards Malta, with most of the merchant ships sunk during the passage, along with an aircraft carriTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN OPPOSING COMMANDERS Allies Axis OPPOSING FORCES Allies Axis Orders of Battle OPPOSING PLANS Allies Axis OPERATION PEDESTAL The first leg Through the Western Mediterranean, 10–11 August The secondary operations, 10–12 August The Western Mediterranean, 12 August The night action, 12/13 August Da Zara’s sortie The last air attacks, 13 August The stragglers AFTERMATH THE LEGACY OF PEDESTAL FURTHER READING INDEX

    3 in stock

    £15.29

  • Arctic Convoys 1942

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Arctic Convoys 1942

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA new history of the most crucial few months of the Arctic Convoys, when Germany''s air power forced the Allies to retreat to the cover of winter. Between spring and autumn 1942, Germany was winning the battle of the Arctic Convoys. Half of PQ-15 was sunk in May, PQ-17 was virtually obliterated in July, and in September 30 percent of PQ-18 was sunk. The Allies were forced to suspend the convoys until December, when the long Arctic nights would shield them.Mark Lardas argues that in 1942, it was Luftwaffe air power that made the difference. With convoys sailing in endless daylight, German strike aircraft now equipped and trained for torpedo attacks, and bases in northern Norway available, the Luftwaffe could wreak havoc. Three-quarters of the losses of PQ-18 were due to air attacks. But in November, the Luftwaffe was redeployed south to challenge the Allied landings in North Africa, and the advantage was lost. Despite that, the Allies never again sailed Trade ReviewHis analysis of the actions and the strategic background is both perceptive and persuasive, and his enthusiasm for the subject is apparent. * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Attacker's Capabilities Defender's Capabilities Campaign Objectives The Campaign Aftermath and Analysis Conclusion Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • US Seventh Fleet Vietnam 196475

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC US Seventh Fleet Vietnam 196475

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis is a terrific history of the Seventh Fleet's vital service to the United States in the Vietnam War... remarkably researched and interpreted- Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, 20112015 and Commander Seventh Fleet, 20042006Combines a crisp text by the leading authority on the subject, with well-chosen contemporary photographs, new maps, and excellent art work an excellent introduction to a complex conflict, and the operational lessons learnt.- Professor Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History, King's College LondonA superbly illustrated examination of how the US Navy''s most powerful fleet fought the Vietnam War, covering all of its elements from aircraft carriers and heavy cruisers to minesweepers and oilers.The US Navy''s Seventh Fleet was at the forefront of America''s campaign in Vietnam for a decade, from the Gulf of Tonkin Incident that began it all to the final evacuation of South Vietnam. Its mission was highly strategiTrade ReviewThis is a terrific history of the Seventh Fleet’s vital service to the United States in the Vietnam War. Remarkably researched and interpreted, it is a testament to the spectrum of naval warfare missions, from carrier operations, naval gunfire support, mine warfare, and special operations that the fleet provided the national command authority. Then, as now, the Seventh Fleet was the tip of the spear focused on supporting U.S. strategic and national security interests in the Indo-Pacific region. -- Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, 2011–2015 and Commander Seventh Fleet, 2004–2006Combines a crisp text by the leading authority on the subject, with well-chosen contemporary photographs, new maps, and excellent art work… an excellent introduction to a complex conflict, and the operational lessons learnt. - Professor Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History, King’s College LondonThis is the real story behind the US Navy's Vietnam War * Ships Monthly *Table of ContentsTHE FLEET'S PURPOSE FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships Technical Factors HOW THE FLEET OPERATED Doctrine, Command, and Communication Intelligence and Deception Logistics and Facilities COMBAT AND ANALYSIS The Fleet in Combat Analysis FURTHER READING

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • Cochrane the Dauntless

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Cochrane the Dauntless

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe real Master and Commander 'There is no man I envy so much as Lord Cochrane' Lord ByronTrade Review'The real Master and Commander' Sunday Telegraph 'Cordingly is a brilliant historian' Daily Telegraph 'Intriguing and satisfying ... Cochrane packed enough drama and history to shame both Horatio Nelson and Sir Francis Drake ... O'Brian fans will find great satisfaction in smoking out similarities and differences between Cochrane and Aubrey' Washington Post 'By rights, Thomas Cochrane should be as well known today as Francis Drake ... Cochrane's adventures in Chile, Peru and Brazil are among the most amazing in naval history' Sunday Times

    15 in stock

    £13.49

  • Spanish Warships in the Age of Sail, 1700-1860:

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd Spanish Warships in the Age of Sail, 1700-1860:

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis book is the latest contribution to a unique series in a common format documenting in great detail the warships of the major naval powers during the age of sail. To date, four volumes have covered the British Navy, two have been devoted to the French Navy and one each to the Dutch and Russian Navies. This volume on the Spanish Navy, for much of its history the third largest in the world, fills the final gap in the ranks of the major maritime powers. This book is the first comprehensive listing of these ships in English and covers the development of all the naval vessels owned or deployed by Spain during the period of the Bourbon monarchy from 1700 to 1860 (including the period of French control during the Napoleonic Wars), but it also sets the scene for that period by summarising the origins of Spanish naval development under the preceding Habsburg regime. As with previous volumes in the series, the main chapters list all the naval vessels from 1700 onwards (including those 16th century ships which survived into the new regime in 1700) by type, with the first chapters listing the ships of the line (nav os in Spanish terminology) and frigates in descending order of firepower, and subsequent chapters covering minor and ancillary vessels. Where available, a brief service history of each individual ship is given. A comprehensive introductory section includes a group of background essays designed to provide the reader with a deep understanding of how Spanish naval forces operated, and the context within which they were organised. Certain to become the standard English-language reference work, its publication is of the utmost importance to every naval historian and general reader interested in the navies of the sailing era.

    3 in stock

    £40.00

  • The US Navys Fast Attack Submarines Vol.1

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The US Navys Fast Attack Submarines Vol.1

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    4 in stock

    £27.19

  • The Battleship USS Iowa

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Battleship USS Iowa

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA brilliantly detailed visual representation of one of the greatest US warships, the USS Iowa, whose four decades in service took her from the Pacific War in World War II to the Persian Gulf in the late 1980s.USS Iowa (BB-61) was the lead ship in one of the most famous classes of battleships ever commissioned into the US Navy. Transferred to the Pacific Fleet in 1944, the Iowa first fired her guns in anger in the Marshall Islands campaign, and sank her first enemy ship, the Katori. The Iowa went on to serve across a number of pivotal Pacific War campaigns, including at the battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf. It ended the war spending several months bombarding the Japanese Home Islands before the surrender in August 1945.After taking part in the Korea War, the Iowa was decommissioned in 1958, before being briefly reactivated in the 1980s as part of President Reagan''s 600-Ship Navy Plan. After being decommissiTable of ContentsIntroduction The battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) - Technical description History of the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) Primary Views The drawings Bibliography

    15 in stock

    £38.25

  • CONQUERORS

    Faber & Faber CONQUERORS

    15 in stock

    Book Synopsis''A rare gift . . . The story he has to tell may be a thrilling one but not every historian could tell it so thrillingly.'' Financial Times''Magnificently rip-roaring history . . . Bursting with colour and excitement.'' Dominic SandbrookAs remarkable as Columbus and the conquistador expeditions, the history of Portuguese exploration is now almost forgotten. But Portugal''s navigators cracked the code of the Atlantic winds, launched the expedition of Vasco da Gama to India and beat the Spanish to the spice kingdoms of the East then set about creating the first long-range maritime empire. In an astonishing blitz of thirty years, a handful of visionary and utterly ruthless empire builders, with few resources but breathtaking ambition, attempted to seize the Indian Ocean, destroy Islam and take control of world trade.Conquerors is narrative history at its most vivid - an epic tale of navigation, trade and technology, money and religious zealotry

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Royal Navy Officers PocketBook

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Royal Navy Officers PocketBook

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis''The art of command isto be the complete master, and yet the complete friend of every man on board; the temporal lord and yet the spiritual brother of every rating; to be detached and yet not dissociated.''A Seaman''s Pocket-Book, 1943 has found huge appeal with the British public. Presented in the same format, The Royal Navy Officer''s Pocket-Book gathers together useful advice and instruction for those naval officers fighting the Second World War on all aspects of their job, expressed in the benevolent language of the day, when authority was respected.The book has been compiled and edited by Brian Lavery, who provides commentary and an introduction. Sections include: the Officer''s Aid Memoire containing notes of the training course at one of the officer training schools; Notes for medical officers and treatment of battle casualties afloat; Notes for captains on taking command of their first ship; Notes for commanding officers; Notes on the handling and sTrade Review..this is an important document, significant for its sense of time and place. * Good Book Guide *Pure undiluted nostalgia! * Ships Monthly Magazine *...an authentic presentation of life in the wartime Navy and issues of leadership, discipline and initiative. * Best of British Magazine *...this book has enough illustrations, layouts, definitions and first hand information to keep any naval enthusiast fascinated for hours. * Family History Monthly *...exceptional value in every respect. * Navy News *...very highly recommended - another 'little gem' to go alongside the Seaman's Pocket Book on your yacht bookshelf. * Royal Naval Sailing Association Journal *

    1 in stock

    £9.49

  • Battleships: The World's Greatest Battleships

    Amber Books Ltd Battleships: The World's Greatest Battleships

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisFor more than 400 years, the big-gun warship stood as the supreme naval war machine. It was not only a major instrument of warfare, but a visible emblem of a nation’s power, wealth and pride. Battleships features 52 of the greatest warships to have sailed in the last 500 years. Beginning with English king Henry VIII’s flagship, Henry Grace à Dieu, the book covers all the main periods of battleship development, including the great sail ships, such as Sovereign of the Seas, Santissima Trinidad and Victory. The advent of steam-driven warships provides the core of the book, beginning with the introduction of Gloire in 1859, and continuing through all the major pre-Dreadnoughts, such as Inflexible, Maine and Tsessarevitch. There is detailed coverage of the great battleships of the two world wars, including Derfflinger, Yamato and Iowa, while the book closes with the last new battleship to be commissioned, Vanguard, in 1946. Each entry includes a brief description of the battleship’s development and history, a colour profile artwork, key features and specifications. Packed with more than 200 artworks and photographs, Battleships is a colourful guide for the military historian and naval warfare enthusiast.Trade ReviewThis is a magnificent book for anyone interested in the history of these great ships. -- Jerry Lenaburg * New York Journal of Books *Table of ContentsIntroduction Henry Grace a Dieu 1514 San Martin 1579 Vasa 1627 Sovereign of the Seas 1637 Le Soleil Royal 1669 Victory 1765 Santissima Trinidad 1769 Santa Ana 1784 Bucentaure 1803 Gloire 1859 Victoria 1859 Warrior 1860 Konig Wilhelm 1869 Devastation 1873 Italia 1880 Inflexible 1881 Collingwood 1887 Royal Sovereign 1892 Maine 1895 Indiana 1895 Jaureguiberry 1896 Kearsarge 1900 Mikasa 1902 Tsessarevitch 1903 Dreadnought 1906 Nassau 1909 South Carolina 1910 Lion 1912 Wyoming 1912 Derfflinger 1913 Royal Oak (or Revenge) 1914 Texas 1914 Queen Elizabeth 1915 Fuso 1915 Nevada 1916 Bayern 1916 Courageous 1917 Hood 1920 Nagato 1920 Rodney 1927 Deutschland/Graf Spee 1933 Scharnhorst 1936 Gneisenau 1938 Bismarck 1940 Prince of Wales 1940 Richelieu 1940 Yamato 1940 Vittorio Veneto 1940 Tirpitz 1941 Indiana 1942 Iowa/Missouri 1943 Vanguard 1946

    4 in stock

    £18.99

  • Aircraft Carriers: The World’s Greatest Carriers

    Amber Books Ltd Aircraft Carriers: The World’s Greatest Carriers

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisOn 9 May 1912 the first airplane take-off from a ship was made from the deck of the HMS Hibernia. In July 1918, seven Sopwith Camels launched from the converted battlecruiser HMS Furious damaged the German airbase at Tønder and destroyed two zeppelins. The age of the carrier was born. In the interwar years the Lexington, Akagi and Courageous – class carriers were developed, but it was only during World War II that the aircraft carrier finally came into its own. Fleet carriers carrying 30–40 aircraft allowed the Japanese and US navies to project air power across the vast Pacific Ocean, with the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor presaging a new kind of warfare. With the sinking of hundreds of ships during World War II, including the German battleship Bismarck in 1941, by the end of the war carriers ruled the waves and the era of the battleship had passed. Aircraft Carriers features 52 of the most significant flat tops and amphibious assault ships built since the 1920s until the present day, from the USS Yorktown, which survived direct hits during the battle of Midway (1942), through the Falklands War veteran HMS Invincible, to the mighty Nimitz class, the core of the US Navy’s carrier battle groups today. Also included are significant amphibious assault ships, such as the USS Tarawa and French Mistral. Each entry includes a brief description of the ship’s development and history, a colour profile view or cutaway, key features and specifications. Packed with more than 200 artworks and photographs, Aircraft Carriers is a colourful guide for the naval warfare enthusiast.Table of ContentsIntroduction CARRIERS OF THE WORLD WARS HMS Furious (1917) HMS Argus (1918) HMS Eagle (1924) Akagi (1927) USS Lexington (1927) Kaga (1928) HMS Glorious (1930) Hiryu (1937) USS Yorktown (1937) USS Enterprise (1938) HMS Ark Royal (1938) USS Wasp (1940) CAM and MAC Ships (1941) HMS Audacity (1941) Shokaku (1941) HMS Indomitable (1941) USS Sangamon (1942) Jun’yo (1942) USS Independence (1943) USS Princeton (1943) USS Lexington (1943) USS Intrepid (1943) USS Wasp (1943) Taiho (1944) Shinano (1944) USS Midway (1945) CARRIERS SINCE 1945 HMS Eagle (1951) USS Forrestal (1955) HMS Hermes/INS Viraat (1959) Clemenceau (1960) USS Enterprise (1961) HMS Fearless (1965) Veinticinco de Mayo (1969) USS Nimitz (1975) Kiev (1975) USS Tarawa (1976) Ivan Rogov (1978) HMS Invincible (1980) USS Carl Vinson (1982) Giuseppi Garibaldi (1985) Principe de Asturias (1988) Admiral Kuznetsov (1995) HMS Ocean (1998) Charles de Gaulle (2001) USS Ronald R. Reagan (2003) Mistral (2006) Liaoning (2012) HMAS Canberra (2014) Izumo (2015) HMS Queen Elizabeth (2017) USS Gerald R. Ford (2017) INS Vikrant (2018) Index

    15 in stock

    £22.49

  • Warships of the Soviet Fleets 19391945

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd Warships of the Soviet Fleets 19391945

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe most comprehensive listing of Soviet warships of this era in English.

    1 in stock

    £36.00

  • Trust Me: From the author of Netflix hit THE

    Zaffre Trust Me: From the author of Netflix hit THE

    10 in stock

    Book Synopsis The intensely gripping Sunday Times bestseller, from the author of Richard & Judy pick and NETFLIX drama The Holiday 'Thriller of the year? This is the thriller of the decade' My Weekly'Everything you want from a thriller, and more' Lesley Kara____________________________________________TWO STRANGERS. A CHILD. AND A SPLIT SECOND CHOICE THAT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING.The chance encounterEllen was just trying to help a stranger. Giving a few minutes respite to a flustered young mother sitting opposite her on the train. A few minutes holding her baby while the woman makes an urgent call.Five minutes pass.Ten.The twistAs the train pulls into a station, Ellen is stunned to see the woman step off the train and rush away down the platform, leaving her baby behind.Then she discovers a note in the baby's bag, three desperate lines scrawled hastily on a piece of paper:Please protect MiaDon't trust the policeDon't trust anyoneWHAT WOULD YOU DO?'Absorbing and tense, fuelled by a very real sense of jeopardy' Adele Parks'Logan is undoubtedly the master of the all-too-believable, it-could-happen-to-me story' B.A. Paris'A brilliant premise, thrillingly executed' JP Delaney, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Girl Before'Gripping, original, with compelling characters and a great twist!' Jenny Quintana, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Missing Girl'With a a premise so primal and so gripping it get its hooks into you from the very first page, Logan cements himself as one of, if not the, best thriller novelist writing in the world today' Deborah O' Connor, bestselling author of The Captive'A hugely entertaining, twisting, propulsive thrill-ride from the consistently brilliant T.M. Logan' Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End'I raced through TRUST ME. Totally brilliant. Did not have a clue how it was going to unravel' Heidi Perks, bestselling author of Now You See Her'Logan is the master of the everyman thriller - real but nightmarish situations that could happen to you. For that reason, and many others, buy Trust Me and be prepared to sacrifice sleep!' Gillian McCallister, Sunday Times bestselling author of How to Disappear'A meticulously plotted and surprisingly moving story that doesn't let up. Addictive, tense, and packed with twists!' Samantha Downing, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Lovely Wife**DON'T MISS T.M. LOGAN'S INCREDIBLE NEW THRILLER THE MOTHER - OUT NOW!**Trade ReviewWe raced through this gripping thriller in two big bites. * Read of the Week, Heat Magazine *There are thrillers and then there are 'thrillers', the kind that leave you wanting to gobble up the pages in one reading, intense, mesmerising and altogether mind blowing. The sort of book you forget to breathe when reading and need a break for headspace afterwards. This book is the latter . . . Interspersed with different character viewpoints, one of which is thrillingly anonymous, Logan yet again takes a normal day event, travelling by train, and spins it, throwing in twists and turns at every stop. Shaking you off the trail, leaving you thinking you know - when actually the final twist shows you were on the wrong track all along. A 24 hours kind of read. You will find yourself speed reading the exhilarating dialogue to get onto the next chapter. Twists, turns and an absolutely belting plot. Coined as thriller of the year, this is the thriller of the decade. * My Weekly *The king of the fast-paced thriller is back! A book that demands to be read in one sitting. * Good Housekeeping *One of the most exciting authors currently writing for the ever-busy crime thriller market, T.M. Logan is back with another of his ingeniously imagined and perfectly executed plots, and this one is guaranteed to blow your mind! Trust Me - a compulsive, menacing, high-octane story full of authentic characters, gobsmacking twists and with Logan's trademark this-could-happen-to-me premise - is an addictive thrill ride into a dangerous, deadly and definitely untrustworthy world...Fast-paced throughout and bristling with suspense, you won't trust your own judgments until the final, explosive last act! * Lancashire Evening Post *The author of the excellent The Catch again shows us how to grab a reader by the throat from the off. A really excellent story. * Sunday Sport *A brilliant premise, thrillingly executed. Trust Me grips from the very first page * J.P. Delaney, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Girl Before *I was totally gripped by Trust Me, T.M. Logan is undoubtedly the master of the all-too-believable, it-could-happen-to-me story. Another triumph! * B.A. Paris *Logan is the master of the everyman thriller - real but nightmarish situations that could happen to you. For that reason, and many others, buy Trust Me and be prepared to sacrifice sleep! * Gillian McAllister, Sunday Times bestselling author of How to Disappear *Gripping, original, with compelling characters and a great twist! * Jenny Quintana, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Missing Girl *Exciting and intense from the start, this novel hurtles along at a cracking pace. Everything you want from a thriller, and more! * Lesley Kara, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rumour *With a a premise so primal and so gripping it get its hooks into you from the very first page, Logan cements himself as one of, if not the, best thriller novelist writing in the world today. Once you start reading I challenge you not to put it down until you're done * Deborah O' Connor, bestselling author of The Captive *I raced through TRUST ME. Totally brilliant. Did not have a clue how it was going to unravel * Heidi Perks, bestselling author of Now You See Her *A hugely entertaining, twisting, propulsive thrill-ride from the consistently brilliant T.M. Logan * Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End * Absorbing and tense, fuelled by a very real sense of jeopardy. * Adele Parks *Addictive, fast paced and I raced through it unable to guess what was coming next. Exciting and unputdownable * Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend *A meticulously plotted and surprisingly moving story that doesn't let up. Addictive, tense, and packed with twists! * Samantha Downing, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Lovely Wife *Assured, compelling, and hypnotically readable - with a twist at the end I guarantee you won't see coming * Lee Child, on T.M. Logan's previous work *

    10 in stock

    £9.74

  • The Battleships World Encyclopedia of

    Anness Publishing The Battleships World Encyclopedia of

    10 in stock

    Book Synopsis(new edition) The history and evolution of the battleship, an international directory of 150 ships, with specifications, and illustrated with 500 photographs.

    10 in stock

    £13.50

  • The US Navys FastAttack Submarines Vol. 2

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The US Navys FastAttack Submarines Vol. 2

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    4 in stock

    £27.19

  • The Battlecruiser Hood

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Battlecruiser Hood

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe destruction of the HMS Hood by the Bismarck in 1941 was one of the most shocking episodes in the history of the Royal Navy. Built during World War I, the Hood was the largest, fastest and one of the most handsome capital ships in the world. For the first time, this volume in the renowned Anatomy of a Ship series is available in paperback, and features a detailed description of every aspect of the beloved battlecruiser. In addition to analysing the genesis of its design and contemporary significance, this exceptional study provides the finest documentation of the Hood, with a complete set of superb line drawings, supported by technical details and a record of the ship''s service history.Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION Design Construction Service history The loss of Hood General arrangements and hull structure Machinery Armament Control systems Ground tackle Aircraft Modifications The PHOTOGRAPHS The DRAWINGS General arrangements Hull construction Machinery Accommodation Superstructure Rig Armament Fire-control Fittings Ground tackle Ship’s boats Aircraft arrangements

    15 in stock

    £16.99

  • US Landing Craft of World War II Vol. 2

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd US Landing Craft of World War II Vol. 2

    Out of stock

    Book Synopsis

    Out of stock

    £17.09

  • Mapping Naval Warfare

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Mapping Naval Warfare

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisNaval operations and warfare were (and remain) a key element for mapping. This beautiful book looks at a series of key conflicts from the sixteenth century to the present day and explains how they were represented through mapping and how the maps produced helped naval commanders to plan their strategy. There are plentiful maps and a good story to tell, both about naval history and about mapping at sea. Conflicts covered include the the American Revolution, Spanish Armada, the Napoleonic Wars, the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

    1 in stock

    £25.50

  • British Hawkins Class Cruisers

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd British Hawkins Class Cruisers

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisDuring the First World War, rumours of heavily-armed German raiders led to the building of the first modern' heavy cruisers by the Royal Navy. Named for famous Elizabethan seamen, they were very different from the lumbering armoured cruisers of the previous generation, and were enlarged developments of the highly successful light cruisers that had been built since the mid-1910s. As such, they provided the prototypes for the Washington Treaty' cruisers that dominated naval construction during the 1920s, with two of them also pioneering the use of the catapult for launching aircraft from cruisers. Completed too late to actively participate in the First World War, they would go on to have mixed fortunes, spending much of their careers as flagships, but also being sadly attracted to rocky reefs, in two cases with fatal results. One, Cavendish (later Vindictive), fulfilled a remarkable array of functions during her career: laid down as a cruiser, completing as an aircraft carrier, then reverting to a cruiser, to be further transformed into a dedicated cadet training ship, and finally a repair ship. Meanwhile Effingham underwent the most comprehensive rebuilding of any British cruiser of her era. Disarmed and nearly scrapped as a result of the London Naval Treaty, all the survivors nevertheless returned to serve during the Second World War in a range of roles, two gaining battle honours albeit in one case fatally during the Norwegian campaign, and Hawkins and Frobisher spending long years as deep-sea escorts in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, before being brought back to bombard the beaches of Normandy. The story of the Hawkins class therefore weaves strands that include the technical development of the cruiser in the UK and abroad, the early use of aircraft at sea, international naval diplomacy and treaty-making between the wars, the evolution of the cadet training regime in the Royal Navy, the way in which the vital southern and eastern trade routes were kept open, and the contribution of naval forces to the success of the invasion of Europe. With its detailed descriptions and analysis of the ships and their development, and the narratives of their careers, all tied together with a wide-ranging collection of photographs and line drawings, this new history of a distinguished Royal Navy cruiser class will delight naval historians and enthusiasts, ship modellers and all those who care to read about the exploits of the imperial navy in peace and war.

    7 in stock

    £31.50

  • USS Saratoga CV3

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd USS Saratoga CV3

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn illustrated history of one of the US Navy's earliest aircraft carriers

    1 in stock

    £19.54

  • USS Intrepid CV11CVA11CVS11

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd USS Intrepid CV11CVA11CVS11

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA visual history of USS Intrepid, one of the most visited museum ships in the world!

    1 in stock

    £20.69

  • China as a Twenty-First Century Naval Power:

    Naval Institute Press China as a Twenty-First Century Naval Power:

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisXi Jinping has made his ambitions for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) perfectly clear, there is no mystery what he wants, first, that China should become a "great maritime power" and secondly, that the PLA "become a world-class armed force by 2050." He wants this latter objective to be largely completed by 2035. China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power focuses on China's navy and how it is being transformed to satisfy the "world class" goal. Beginning with an exploration of why China is seeking to become such a major maritime power, author Michael McDevitt first explores the strategic rationale behind Xi's two objectives. China's reliance on foreign trade and overseas interests such as China's Belt and Road strategy. In turn this has created concerns within the senior levels of China's military about the vulnerability of its overseas interests and maritime life-lines. is a major theme. McDevitt dubs this China's "sea lane anxiety" and traces how this has required the PLA Navy to evolve from a "near seas"-focused navy to one that has global reach; a "blue water navy." He details how quickly this transformation has taken place, thanks to a patient step-by-step approach and abundant funding. The more than 10 years of anti-piracy patrols in the far reaches of the Indian Ocean has acted as a learning curve accelerator to "blue water" status. McDevitt then explores the PLA Navy's role in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. He provides a detailed assessment of what the PLAN will be expected to do if Beijing chooses to attack Taiwan potentially triggering combat with America's "first responders" in East Asia, especially the U.S. Seventh Fleet and U.S. Fifth Air Force. He conducts a close exploration of how the PLA Navy fits into China's campaign plan aimed at keeping reinforcing U.S. forces at arm's length (what the Pentagon calls anti-access and area denial [A2/AD]) if war has broken out over Taiwan, or because of attacks on U.S. allies and friends that live in the shadow of China. McDevitt does not know how Xi defines "world class" but the evidence from the past 15 years of building a blue water force has already made the PLA Navy the second largest globally capable navy in the world. This book concludes with a forecast of what Xi's vision of a "world-class navy" might look like in the next fifteen years when the 2035 deadline is reached.Trade Review“Within its maritime area of focus, China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power is packed with detailed insights and should be on the shelf of every warrior-scholar in the joint force.” —Joint Force Quarterly “Michael McDevitt's book on China's spectacular twenty-first-century naval growth is both relevant and timely.... [He] has written a salutary assessment of China's naval potential from the U.S. Navy's viewpoint.” —Michigan War Studies Review “Michael A. McDevitt, a retired US Navy Rear Admiral, has produced a remarkably detailed, and far-reaching, analysis of the transformation of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) from what was essentially a small, brown-water unit, into a very large, and well—equipped, blue water force…. A remarkably thorough, and penetrating study of what is now the world’s biggest naval force. This meticulously researched work gives insight into the structure, and capabilities of the PLAN. Its rise has been a remarkable phenomenon, and it is a force that is going to be the focus for much assessment and analysis in the years ahead.” —Asian Affairs “As Western countries experience increasing tensions with China, multinational military exercises focus on countering Chinese influence, and the matter of Taiwan regains press attention, this book is a welcome addition to previous publications seeking to broaden our understanding of the competing interests in this vital region. It is an engaging and accessible analysis of the PLA Navy and how it may evolve with China’s increasing power and influence.” —East West Notes “McDevitt’s style is fluent, pragmatic and technically precise, as one would expect from a professional mariner turned strategic analyst…. This is a cool, objective assessment of a fast-growing force.” —The Naval Review “This book should be read immediately by naval officers, scientists, political thinkers and decision-makers in Germany too, in order to be able to make urgently necessary decisions on a reasonable basis.” —Deutsches Maritimes Kompetenz Netz “This book provides a well written, comprehensive view of the PLA Navy and should be required reading for all those involved with Maritime matters and developments in the Indo-Pacific Region.” —Naval Historical Foundation “China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power is an important book.” —Militaire Spectator “China as a 21st Century Naval Power is a landmark stand-alone assessment of an undoubtedly powerful maritime force. It should be recommended reading for maritime practitioners, policy-makers and strategic realists.” —Australian Naval Institute “Rear Admiral McDevitt has studied the Chinese navy from the decks of destroyers in the South China Sea to the corridors of leading think tanks around the world. His expertise is legendary, and this new book is a commanding analysis of the course China will steer over the coming decades in their voyage to become the leading global maritime power.” —Adm. James Stavridis, USN (Ret.), 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and author of Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character “As he explores the rationale for China’s unprecedented accretion of maritime power and quest for a ‘world-class’ navy, McDevitt provides perceptive insights into Beijing’s obsessive pursuit of sea-lane security, regional-hegemony and, eventually, global-dominance. The vivid future-scenarios, painted by this former practitioner of seapower, could prove prophetic, and deserve our closest attention.” —Adm. Arun Prakash (Ret.), former Indian Navy Chief and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff “Admiral Michael McDevitt has written an important book about China as a world power. Few Americans possess his knowledge of maritime strategy and China. He has combined this knowledge with his background as a historian and a sea-going officer with more thirty years experience. China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power is a must read for military officers, China specialists, and historians.” —Captain Bernard D. Cole, USN (Ret.), Professor Emeritus, National War College, author of China’s Quest for Great Power: Ships, Oil, and Foreign Policy “Rear Admiral Mike McDevitt delivers the definitive study on China’s ambitious quest for greatness at sea. Armed with decades of operational experience, he renders persuasive judgments about China’s nautical ascent. For those looking for an authoritative yet accessible appraisal of the Chinese navy, this is it.” —Toshi Yoshihara, senior fellow, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, co-author of Red Star over the Pacific: China’s Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy, 2nd ed. “Admiral McDevitt has written the definitive book on China’s maritime ambitions and its ability to fulfill them. His years of careful research following a career of high-level Navy and Defense Department positions are blended into a carefully detailed and documented, yet practical and sensible examination of China’s security shift from land defense to control of the seas. The discussions of Taiwan and the South China Sea are especially informative and sobering. The implications are judicious and very clear – the United States must urgently and intelligently increase its own maritime and air capability.” —Dennis C. Blair, former Commander in Chief, US Pacific Command and former Director of National Intelligence “In order to counter China’s willful and persistent challenges against the stabilizing PAX-AMERICANA global framework, an accurate and comprehensive understanding of China’s security and naval strategies is required. In this context, RADM Mike McDevitt’s superb book is a 'must-read' for naval/security specialists, as well as national leaders and thinkers.” —Yoji Koda, Former Commander in Chief, JMSDF Fleet . . . the present work, which consolidates and updates the advances made in Chinese maritime-strategic studies, will serve well any professional within the field. It provides an incisive complement to Toshi Yoshihara and James Holmes's tour de force, Red Star over the Pacific (2010). McDevitt has delivered a work both scholarly and enduring, one that will provide a theoretical foothold for understanding China's naval development for years to come. — Naval War College

    Out of stock

    £28.46

  • Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Barbary Pirates 15th17th Centuries

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisFor the best part of three centuries the corsairs, or pirates, from the Barbary coasts of North Africa dominated the western and central Mediterranean, making forays far into the Atlantic and preying on the shipping and coastal settlements across Christian Europe, ranging from Greece to West Africa to the British Isles. In the absence of organized European navies, they seldom faced serious opposition, and the scope of their raiding was remarkable. As well as piracy and slave-raiding, they fought as privateers, sharing their spoils with the rulers of the port cities that provided them with ships, men, and a ready market. This book examines their development and style of fighting, chronicles their achievements and failures, and illustrates their appearance and that of their ships, explaining why they were so feared and so effective.Table of ContentsIntroduction/ Chronology/ Background – the Barbary states/ Organization/ Galleys/ Appearance – arms and armour/ Warfare and tactics/ In action – period descriptions/ Glossary and Bibliography/ Plate commentaries

    Out of stock

    £14.24

  • The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific:

    Georgetown University Press The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific:

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA new framework contextualizes crucial international security issues at sea in the Indo-Pacific Competition at sea is once again a central issue of international security. Nowhere is the urgency to address state-on-state competition at sea more strongly felt than in the Indo-Pacific region, where freedom of navigation is challenged by regional states’ continuous investments in naval power, and the renewed political will to use it to undermine its principles. The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific provides an original framework in which five “factors of influence” explain how and why naval power matters in this pivotal part of the world. An international group of contributors make the case that these five factors draw upon a longstanding influence of naval power on regional dynamics and impact the extent to which different states in the region use naval power: the capacity to exert control over sea-lanes, the capacity to deploy a nuclear deterrent at sea, the capacity to implement the law of the sea in an advantageous way, the ability to control marine resources, and the capacity for technological innovation. The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific offers a fresh approach for academics and policy makers seeking to navigate the complexity of maritime security and regional affairs.Trade ReviewAn impressively timely contribution to our military strategy debates with respect to dealing with Chinese naval aggression in the Indo-Pacific, a new framework contextualizes crucial international security issues at sea. * Midwest Book Review *The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific is a most incisive and valuable study, defining maritime power as a control feature of regional security. The book's contributors provide a comprehensive macro-overview with interlinked sub-regional analyses. * Australian Naval Institute *Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsForeword: Vice Adm. Anne Rondeau, (USN, Ret.)AcknowledgmentsList of Acronyms1. Naval Power and a Framework for Regional Security in the Indo-PacificAlessio Patalano, James A. Russell, and Catherine L. Grant Part I: The Factors of Influence in Indo-Pacific Security2. Geopolitics and Strategic Geography in Sino-US CompetitionChristopher Twomey3. Law, Order, and Maritime (In)StabilityPeter Dutton4. Maritime Resources and Regional CompetitionClive Schofield5. Nuclear Order at SeaNicola Leveringhaus6. Technology, Escalation, and War in the Indo-PacificJames A. Russell Part II: Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific as History7. Asian States and Early Imperial Competition in the Indian OceanRyan Gingeras8. The “Problem of Asia” and Imperial Competition before WWIRichard Dunley9. The Far East Between the World WarsDaniel Moran 10. Superpower Rivalry and the Strategic Balance in the Cold WarKevin Rowlands Part III: Naval Power and Contemporary Security in the Indo-Pacific 11. Northeast AsiaIan Bowers12. East and South China SeasAlessio Patalano and Julie Marionneau13. The Taiwan StraitSheryn Lee14. South PacificJames Goldrick15. Indian OceanJames Wirtz and Abhijit SinghConclusions: Strategy, Order, and Regional Security in the Indo-PacificAlessio Patalano, James A. Russell, and Catherine L. GrantIndexList of Contributors

    2 in stock

    £35.15

  • Tokyo 194445

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Tokyo 194445

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe full history of how the United States targeted and destroyed the Japanese capital from the air, in a ten-month long campaign by the US Army Air Force and the US Navy.In November 1944, the US Army Air Force launched a 111-plane B-29 strike against Tokyo, the first raid since the morale-boosting Doolittle Raid of 1942. From then until August 13, 1945, the United States would attack Tokyo 25 times, 20 from B-29s based in the Marianas and five from US Navy carrier task forces. The campaign included the single deadliest air raid in human history, when around 100,000 people were killed by the firestorm created by the Operation Meetinghouse raid of March 10, 1945.This book, the first to examine the full history of the United States' air campaign against the greatest target in Japan, looks at the USAAF's and US Navy's efforts to use air power to eliminate Tokyo's strategic value to the Empire. It considers how the campaign developed from daylight bombing toTable of Contents(Subject to confirmation) Introduction Chronology Attacker's Capabilities Defender's Capabilities Campaign Objectives The Campaign Aftermath and Analysis Conclusion Bibliography Index

    3 in stock

    £15.29

  • USS Bogue

    McFarland & Co Inc USS Bogue

    Out of stock

    Book Synopsis Designed to locate and sink German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic, the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) became the most successful Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) carrier of World War II. This book covers the construction and commissioning of the Bogue, as well as the deployment of Naval Aviation composite squadrons that launched missions from the flight deck. Day-to-day operations are chronicled in comprehensive detail, along with developments in ASW tactics and the breaking of Germany''s Enigma Naval Code, which enabled U.S. Navy forces in the Atlantic to take the offensive.Table of Contents Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction  1. Birth of the USS Bogue  2. Operational Training  3. First War Cruise  4. Second War Cruise  5. Third War Cruise  6. Fourth War Cruise  7. Fifth War Cruise  8. Sixth War Cruise  9. Seventh War Cruise 10. Eighth War Cruise 11. Ninth War Cruise 12. 10th War Cruise 13. 11th Cruise 14. The Last ASW Combat Cruise 15. Transport Duty 16. USS Bogue Legacy Appendix A. USS Bogue: Commanding Officers Appendix B.. USS Bogue: Executive Officers and Department Heads Appendix C. USS Bogue: Composite Squadrons (VC) Aboard Appendix D. USS Bogue: Presidential Unit Citation Appendix E. USS Bogue: Task Organization in the Atlantic 1943–45 Appendix F. USS Bogue: Submarines Sunk or Contacted by Bogue Task Groups Appendix G. Chart of ­U-boat Losses 1939–1945 Chapter Notes Bibliography Index

    Out of stock

    £23.74

  • USS Alabama BB60

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd USS Alabama BB60

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe history of the design, development, and deployment of the famed WWII battleship USS Alabama!

    15 in stock

    £15.19

  • USS Lexington CVCVA16

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd USS Lexington CVCVA16

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe history of this famed vessel is presented through over 200 photographs and accompanying narrative.

    1 in stock

    £17.09

  • Nelsons Navy

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Nelsons Navy

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe perfect guide to Nelson''s Navy for all those with an interest in the workings of the great fleet.Patrick O''Brien provides the forward to this edition of the most successful Conway Maritime title. The book is eminently readable and is the first single-volume work to cover in such depth this vast and complex subject.Written by one of the world''s leading authorities on the sailing navy the book contains considerable original research to give a clear and authentic picture of the Senior Service as a whole.The book is also of interest to all those with enthusiasm for the literature based on the Nelsonic-era.Table of ContentsForeword Preface PART 1: BACKGROUND 1 The Wars with France 2 Early Naval History 3 The Naval Administration 4 Britain and the World PART 2: TYPES OF SHIPS 1 The Principles of Ship Design 2 Ships-of-the-Line 3 Frigates 4 Unrated Ships and Vessels PART 3: SHIPBUILDING 1 Ship Construction 2 Fitting of ships 3 Masts, Sails and Rigging 4 Armament PART 4: OFFICERS 1 Officers’ Entry and Training 2 Commissioned Officers 3 Warrant Officers 4 Officers’ Living Conditions 5 Ship Administration PART 5: NAVAL RECRUITMENT 1 The Problem of Naval Recruitment 2 The Press Gang 3 Other Methods of Recruiting PART 6: SEAMEN AND LANDMEN 1 Seamen’s Conditions of Service 2 Seamen and Petty Officers 3 Landmen, Artifi cers and Servants 4 Mutiny and Desertion PART 7: MARINES 1 Role and Organisation 2 Marines in Service 3 Marine Equipment and Uniform PART 8: TECHNIQUES 1 Basic Seamanship 2 Ship Handling 3 Boat and Anchor Work 4 Gunnery and Fighting 5 Navigation 6 Disaster at Sea PART 9: SHIPBOARD LIFE 1 The Organisation of the Crew 2 The Ship’s Day 3 The Necessities of Life 4 Rewards and Pleasures 5 Medicine and Health 6 Discipline PART 10: DOCKYARDS AND BASES 1 The Work and Facilities of the Dockyards 2 The Dockyard Workforce 3 Home Anchorages and Naval Bases 4 Overseas Bases 5 The Victualling Organisation PART 11: FLEETS 1 The Distribution of Fleets 2 Fleet Administration 3 Fleet Tactics 4 Signals PART 12: THE SEAMAN’S WORLD 1 Winds and Currents 2 The Merchant Marine 3 Other Naval Services PART 13: FOREIGN NAVIES 1 The French Navy 2 The Spanish Navy 3 The American Navy 4 Other Foreign Naval Forces PART 14: TACTICS 1 Fighting Tactics 2 Blockade 3 Convoys and Cruisers 4 Amphibious Operations 5 Victory and Defeat Afterword Appendices Sources Index

    15 in stock

    £40.00

  • PT Boats

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd PT Boats

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £17.09

  • Kaga and Akagi

    Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. Kaga and Akagi

    15 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    15 in stock

    £23.79

  • Italian Battleships: 'Conte di Cavour' & 'Duilio'

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd Italian Battleships: 'Conte di Cavour' & 'Duilio'

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisWith the publication of their previous book on the battleships of the _Littorio_ class, the authors set new standards for the detailed coverage and sophisticated analysis of Italian warship design. Inspired by its success, both critically and commercially, the authors were inspired to follow up with a similar study of the earlier Italian battleships that were built in the First World War but survived to fight in the Second. Given the level of new research required, this has taken a decade to achieve but the result is a similarly comprehensive coverage. Originally comprising five ships in two related classes, they entered service at the beginning of the Great War. As designed, they were powerful examples of the second generation of dreadnoughts, with a combination of twin and triple turrets producing a unique main armament of thirteen 12-inch guns. One ship, _Leonardo da Vinci_, was sunk by an internal explosion at Taranto in 1916, and although the hull was raised post-war, the plan to rebuild the ship was abandoned as it was not deemed cost-effective. However, the remaining four ships were to undergo one of the most radical reconstructions of any battleship class during the 1930s, emerging with an entirely new profile, more powerful machinery and all the characteristics of a modern fast battleship. In this form they became an important element in the Italian fleet that opposed the British after 1940\. This book covers all the technical details of the ships, both as built and as rebuilt, but also provides an extended history of their active service, including battle plans and track charts. Thoroughly illustrated with photographs, ship and armament plans, detail drawings and colour camouflage schemes, the book is a fitting companion to _The Littorio Class_.

    2 in stock

    £36.00

  • USS New York BB34

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd USS New York BB34

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    3 in stock

    £17.09

  • Black Lion One

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd Black Lion One

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn exciting look at what it takes to command a US Navy Fighter Squadron.

    10 in stock

    £23.79

  • Soviet Naval Infantry 191791

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Soviet Naval Infantry 191791

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisDrawing upon Soviet sources, this book assesses the evolving organization, uniforms, insignia, weaponry and personal equipment of Soviet naval infantry units from 1917 to 1991. Featuring eight plates of specially commissioned artwork alongside carefully chosen archive photographs, this study charts the history and appearance of the Soviet Union's naval infantry, from the October Revolution to the end of the Soviet era. Although Russian naval infantry achieved fame during the October Revolution they were quickly disbanded, only being re-established in 1939. Following the Axis invasion of 1941 some 500,000 Soviet Navy personnel served on land, fighting in the defence of Leningrad, Odessa and Sevastopol and the recapture of the Crimea in 194344; Soviet naval troops also participated in the invasion of Manchuria in 1945. During the Cold War era the Soviet Union developed an amphibious assault capability that had a vital strategic role to capture an aggressor's geographical exits to Trade ReviewI really enjoyed this book. So well written, with operations I wasn't familiar with. And as usual lovely colour plates and plenty of period photographs. -- Dave Watson * The Balkan Wargamer *I really enjoyed this book. So well written, with operations I wasn't familiar with. And as usual lovely colour plates and plenty of period photographs. * The Balkan Wargamer *Table of ContentsOrigins Sailors in the Russian Civil War Naval infantry 1922–41 Naval infantry in the Great Patriotic War Naval infantry in the Cold War Aftermath Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • ShÅkakuClass Aircraft Carriers

    Schiffer ShÅkakuClass Aircraft Carriers

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe first book on the powerful Japanese Shōkaku-class carriers.

    1 in stock

    £20.69

  • Italian Assault Craft 19401945

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd Italian Assault Craft 19401945

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe first complete history of these famous Italian miniature assault boats. Superbly illustrated with many previously unpublished photos. Soundly researched from primary sources.

    1 in stock

    £29.75

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