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.)

"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.

‘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