Maritime history has dominated British history thanks to our island status. The Seaforth and Pen and Sword lists have some exceptional titles which have established themselves as key reference titles in the maritime and modelling worlds from the early years of seafaring, right through to the modern day.
A recent addition to the Casemate Illustrated Special series. A 240-page hard-cover book. After a neat introduction, the book is divided across 8 chapters. It tackles the topic in a simple chronological sequence, from the background of the pre-dreadnought era and on to the change driven by the appearance of the Royal Navy's HMS Dreadnought itself. The book takes us through the detail of all 11 classes of US Navy battleship, and the 1 of battlecruisers. Each class is covered, with the development stories, including the context of what other battleships were being built by other countries such as Great Britain, Japan, and Germany. Each class is then described covering elements such as armament, armour protection, propulsion systems, radars and so on. We also get their individual service stories. It became an arms race, with ever increasing size to their main armament. There are of course a lot of super archive images, plus some diagrams showing detail such as the arrangement of the torpedo.. Read more
Military Model Scene
A recent addition to the Casemate Illustrated Special series. A 240-page hard-cover book. After a neat introduction, the book is divided across 8 chapters. It tackles the topic in a simple chronological sequence, from the background of the pre-dreadnought era and on to the change driven by the appearance of the Royal Navy's HMS Dreadnought itself. The book takes us through the detail of all 11 classes of US Navy battleship, and the 1 of battlecruisers. Each class is covered, with the development stories, including the context of what other battleships were being built by other countries such as Great Britain, Japan, and Germany. Each class is then described covering elements such as armament, armour protection, propulsion systems, radars and so on. We also get their individual service stories. It became an arms race, with ever increasing size to their main armament. There are of course a lot of super archive images, plus some diagrams showing detail such as the arrangement of the torpedo.. Read more
Military Model Scene
Glyn Evans has authored a remarkable book. In bringing the history of the repeated attacks on the Tirpitz and the human story of one of the men who was involved in one of the attempts, he has created a book that, unlike some that are a combination of stories that detract from each other, this book adds to the interest that remains constant as each chapter follows. The carefully written and very detailed chapters maintain both the story, the pace, and the interest of the reader. The semi personal aspect of the book is merely the coincidence of the surnames of the author and the naval rating, Able Seaman Robert Paul ‘Bob’ Evans, but is a very good hook from which to hang this important story. The degree of study and facts found here is extraordinary and confirms the depth of research that has been undertaken to author this book. The meticulous nature reflects that same diligence that Glyn Evans has shown in his previous books. The notes, references and profusion of historical photographs.. Read more
Dr Robrt M. Bruce-Chwatt, MBBS. (Former P&O ship’s surgeon who served on SS Uganda in the Falklands.)
Glyn Evans has authored a remarkable book. In bringing the history of the repeated attacks on the Tirpitz and the human story of one of the men who was involved in one of the attempts, he has created a book that, unlike some that are a combination of stories that detract from each other, this book adds to the interest that remains constant as each chapter follows. The carefully written and very detailed chapters maintain both the story, the pace, and the interest of the reader. The semi personal aspect of the book is merely the coincidence of the surnames of the author and the naval rating, Able Seaman Robert Paul ‘Bob’ Evans, but is a very good hook from which to hang this important story. The degree of study and facts found here is extraordinary and confirms the depth of research that has been undertaken to author this book. The meticulous nature reflects that same diligence that Glyn Evans has shown in his previous books. The notes, references and profusion of historical photographs.. Read more
Dr Robrt M. Bruce-Chwatt, MBBS. (Former P&O ship’s surgeon who served on SS Uganda in the Falklands.)
"A great work that will be a reference in Global World War II strategy especially Naval strategy."
5 Stars
Mathieu Gaudreault - Goodreads
"A great work that will be a reference in Global World War II strategy especially Naval strategy."
5 Stars
Mathieu Gaudreault - Goodreads
“The Silent Service’s First Hero is truly a revelation. Ryan Walker’s book is one of the few histories to examine the pre-Second World War U.S. Navy submarine force, setting it apart from most submarine histories. More than that, however, he explores the experience of the U.S. Navy enlisted submarine Sailor, which is even more rarely chronicled. Readers will benefit from Walker’s thorough research, placing Henry Breault in the context of a very different time. Thanks to Walker’s exhaustive study, we now know far more about Henry Breault than simply the bare bones of his Medal of Honor citation – we know about his service in the Canadian navy and numerous other U.S. submarines, his complicated marriage, his evident leadership ability as a chief of the boat (without wearing chief’s anchors!), and even how to properly pronounce his name! Relying on sparse and often-vague documentation from over a century ago, Ryan Walker has crafted as full a portrait as we are likely to have.. Read more
Dr. Joel Holwitt, author of “Execute Against Japan”: The U.S. Decision to Conduct Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (Texas A&M University Press, 2009) and former U.S. Navy submarine captain.
“The Silent Service’s First Hero is truly a revelation. Ryan Walker’s book is one of the few histories to examine the pre-Second World War U.S. Navy submarine force, setting it apart from most submarine histories. More than that, however, he explores the experience of the U.S. Navy enlisted submarine Sailor, which is even more rarely chronicled. Readers will benefit from Walker’s thorough research, placing Henry Breault in the context of a very different time. Thanks to Walker’s exhaustive study, we now know far more about Henry Breault than simply the bare bones of his Medal of Honor citation – we know about his service in the Canadian navy and numerous other U.S. submarines, his complicated marriage, his evident leadership ability as a chief of the boat (without wearing chief’s anchors!), and even how to properly pronounce his name! Relying on sparse and often-vague documentation from over a century ago, Ryan Walker has crafted as full a portrait as we are likely to have.. Read more
Dr. Joel Holwitt, author of “Execute Against Japan”: The U.S. Decision to Conduct Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (Texas A&M University Press, 2009) and former U.S. Navy submarine captain.
‘Why maritime history is everyone’s history... Collins uses meticulous research and engaging storytelling to highlight the pivotal role of maritime history in shaping world events [and] employs a diverse collection of sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of this transformative period.’
Nautilus International
‘Why maritime history is everyone’s history... Collins uses meticulous research and engaging storytelling to highlight the pivotal role of maritime history in shaping world events [and] employs a diverse collection of sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of this transformative period.’
Nautilus International
Not able to see the embed? You need Adobe Flash Player enabled.
HMS Belfast: Cruiser 1939
HMS Belfast, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, is now permanently moored on the Thames in London. One of ten Town-class cruisers she saw service on the icy Arctic convoys during the Second World War and was also present for the bombardment of the D-Day beaches in 1944. Later, she saw service during the Korean War. As is the case for many historic… Read more...
Not able to see the embed? You need Adobe Flash Player enabled.
Aircraft Carriers of the United States Navy
In 1922 the US Navy commissioned its first small experimental aircraft carrier. This was followed into service by two much larger and capable carriers in 1927 with five more being built prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor including three large Yorktown class. To take the offensive against the Japanese Navy, the American Congress funded by… Read more...
Not able to see the embed? You need Adobe Flash Player enabled.
ShipCraft 7: British Battlecruisers of the Second World War
The 'ShipCraft' series provides in-depth information about building and modifying model kits of famous warship types. Lavishly illustrated, each book takes the modeller through a brief history of the subject class, highlighting differences between sisterships and changes in their appearance over their careers. This includes paint schemes and camouflage,… Read more...
Not able to see the embed? You need Adobe Flash Player enabled.
HMS Victory
HMS Victory is probably the best-known historic ship in the world. A symbol of the Royal Navy's achievements during the great age of sail, she is based in Portsmouth and seen by tens of thousands of visitors each year. As is the case for many historic ships, however, there is a surprising shortage of informative and well illustrated guides, for reference… Read more...
Not able to see the embed? You need Adobe Flash Player enabled.
Battleships: WWII Evolution of the Big Guns
Beginning with a pictorial essay on battleship construction in the 1930s and 1940s, this new book looks at the various design facets of the last great capital ships of the world's navies. Kaplan offers us a glimpse into those massive American and German navy yards and construction facilities that were put to use during this time, acquainting us with… Read more...
Not able to see the embed? You need Adobe Flash Player enabled.
ShipCraft 11: British Destroyers
The 'ShipCraft' series provides in-depth information about building and modifying model kits of famous warship types. Lavishly illustrated, each book takes the modeller through a brief history of the subject class, then moves to an extensive photographic survey of either a high-quality model or a surviving example of the ship. Hints on building the… Read more...
The pilot cutters that operated around the coasts of northern Europe until the First World War were amongst the most seaworthy and beautiful craft of their size ever built, while the small number that have survived have inspired yacht designers, sailors and traditional craft enthusiasts over the last hundred years. Even in their day they possessed… Read more...
Building on the success of various Commando Raids during 1941, Headquarters Combined Operations moved up the scale of size and complexity by electing to attack and deny the only dry dock that could take a German battleship for repairs, the Normandie Dock at St Nazaire on France's Atlantic coast. The problem was that the port was miles up an estuary… Read more...
Ironically while the Japanese Navy followed many of the Royal Navy's traditions and structures, it had a totally different approach to the treatment of its foes. The author has uncovered a plethora of outrages against both servicemen and civilians which make chilling and shocking reading. These range from the execution of POWs, the abandonment of survivors… Read more...