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Saturday 29 December 2018

Before The Battlecruiser: A Christmas present to myself

Every so often I read a book review and think to myself 'I'd really like a copy of that book' ... and BEFORE THE BATTLECRUISER: THE BIG CRUISER IN THE WORLD'S NAVIES 1865 – 1910 fell into that category! so I treated myself to a copy.


Besides a preface, introduction, and two appendices, the book is divided into two parts. The first part tells the story of the development and operational use of the armoured cruiser, and the second gives the technical specification, plan and side elevation drawings of each class, and individual service histories of each armoured cruiser.

Part 1: The Rise and Fall of the Big Cruiser
  1. Genesis
  2. The Steam and Sail Era
  3. A New Beginning
  4. The Golden Age
  5. The Final Generation
  6. Trial by Combat
  7. The Long Dying
  8. Retrospect
Part II: Technical and Career Data
  1. Argentina
  2. Austria-Hungary
  3. Chile
  4. France
  5. Germany
  6. Greece
  7. Italy
  8. Japan
  9. Russia
  10. Spain
  11. Sweden
  12. United Kingdom
  13. United States
The book not only matched my expectations, it exceeded them, and I thoroughly recommend it.

BEFORE THE BATTLECRUISER: THE BIG CRUISER IN THE WORLD'S NAVIES 1865 – 1910 was written by Aidan Dodson and published by Seaforth Publishing (ISBN 978 1 4738 9216 3).

4 comments:

  1. I've always thought the big cruisers were magnificent especially dressed out the the Victorian color schemes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. William Stewart,

      I've seen pictures of HMS Powerful and her sister ship painted in Victorian livery, and they did look very impressive.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. I second your recommendation. I got it for my birthday but Christmas brought another of your recommendations: Silver State Dreadnought and so far it is looking good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike Hall,

      The more I read this book, the more it seems to offer. I'm particularly interested in the Technical and Career Data part of the book, especially the drawings.

      I'm glad that you are enjoying the book about the USS Nevada.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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