Product Description
Each book in the DK Readers series is specially crafted to suit the interests and learning stages of beginning readers. Submarines and Submersibles follows a team of scientists down to the ocean's depths in a vivid introduction to the world of underwater craft. ... Read more

Product Description
The design of the Type XXI U-boat was a radical step in the history of submarine development; indeed, the vessel could be said to have been the prototype of the modern conventionally powered submarine. After the disastrous losses among conventional submarines during the early months of 1943, the German authorities concluded that the older boats, Types VII, IXC and IXD, were no match for Allied ASW techniques. The Type XXI design was the response to the deteriorating situation and the first boats were launched in the spring of 1944 only nine months after the initial presentation of the designs. These remarkable vessels incorporated a number of bold innovations including the schnorkel, which allowed it to run fast underwater employing its diesel machinery, and automatic torpedo reloading systems; and never before had such large and complex warships been built using standardised, prefabricated sections. The type was a new and menacing weapon which might have had a profound effect on the conduct of the war had it been introduced earlier. The 'Anatomy of the Ship' series aims to provide the finest documentation of individual ships and ship types ever published.What makes the series unique is a complete set of superbly executed line drawings, both the conventional type of plan as well as explanatory views, with fully descriptive keys. These are supported by technical details and a record of the ship's service history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A must have for any Type XXI model
I bought this book to help with a cut away model of a Type XXI that I am currently building. I only have one other of the "Anatomy of the Ship" series: "Type VII U-Boat" so I didn't have any expectations of the book format. Although it may differ from their normal layout, it has everything I need. And a lot more.
To help with the layout and accuracy, I find this book indispensable. The photos and drawings are excellent, especially helpful since the instructions with the model (Revell #05078) are a little off.
I have built five other sub models and have 16 other books on submarines: primarily U-boats. I feel that the "Type XXI U-Boat" was a necessary addition to my collection. Well worth the money. Glad I bought it.

Excellent book to have if you are to build a model of XXI
I found this book to be not as good as I had expected. I am not saying that it is bad. It is a very good book to have on the XXI.

I am an Engineer by trade, a history buff and modeller by choice.

As an Engineer this book was a bit of a let down.
As a history buff, on a very focused topic, it was good.
As a modeller (RC submarines) it was excellent.

Excellent book to have if you are to build a model of XXI
I found this book to be not as good as I had expected. I am not saying that it is bad. It is a very good book to have on the XXI.

I am an Engineer by trade, a history buff and modeller by choice.

As an Engineer this book was a bit of a let down.
As a history buff, on a very focused topic, it was good.
As a modeller (RC submarines) it was excellent.

Contains all the technical information required.
This is the fourth book in the truly excellent "Anatomy of the Ship" series which I have been asked to study and review.Whilst I was already familiar with the Type VII U-Boat, this was not the case with the Type XXI - so I had to do some additional research into the vessel before embarking on this review - which, incidentally, refers to the new "revised" edition of the book produced in late 2002.

As with the V1 and V2 rockets, the Type XXI U-Boat was, much needed by Germany in the closing stages of World War Two but arrived too late to save them from defeat. It was an all-electric submarine and the closest it came to serious warfare was when U-2511 - having already received the order to cease hostilities, carried out a successful mock attack on a heavily defended British Cruiser without being detected. As the book quite rightly asserts, had this weapon appeared a few years earlier, the fierce battle of the Atlantic might have had a very different outcome.

Conway Maritime Press are well known for their "Anatomy of the Ship" series in which they provide the finest technical documentation for specific ships or ship types ever published. "The Type XXI U-Boat" is hard-back measuring 10¼" (wide) x 9¾" with 127 pages of detailed and factual information. This wide format allows the publishers to produce first class detailed line drawings of every aspect of the ship in a size that is easy to see and follow. All the information is right there.

Commencing with a potted history of how the type XXI came into being, we are then treated to a series of "Tables" which provide us with such technical details as; Design particulars, weights, boats delivered and commissioned and what happened after the war. This is followed by a chapter entitled "Construction" in which the publishers have reproduced 10 pages of stunning historic photographs - some of which still show their post-war classification of "Confidential." After a short chapter on the SU and CHG underwater detection equipment we are then treated to another 36 pages of historic photographs - showing almost every aspect of this type of vessel, before coming to 69 pages of detailed line drawings.

And once again, the information is very technical, very detailed and, by all accounts, very accurate. Under the first main heading "General arrangement and external appearance" we have drawing after drawing showing every aspect of the Type XXI in 1944 itemising each of the slight changes made as the vessel evolved throughout the planning and design process. Not only is the entire hull shown in both elevation, plan and cross-section, there are individual close-ups showing different aspects of the bridge layout and deck gun configurations. Then everything is repeated for the internal features both longitudinally and by cross section before concluding with a close examination of the conning tower and Junkers air compressor. Finally the book includes the internal arrangements and main deck plans of the "Wilhelm Bauer" - the only Type XXI submarine to have been restored and which is on display in Bremerhaven.

Like it's sister book on the Type VII U-Boat, this is not about what this or that specific vessel achieved - although they do all get a mention.As the title suggests, this is a book about the design and construction of a "Type" of ship and, yet again, I find myself congratulating both the authors and publishers for a job well done.

NM

The birth of the modern Submarine
The first in the series not to be written specifically as an 'Anatomy' Volume, but a translation of another language (German). A relevant language considering Kohl served on U-boats and a gifted artist, and Rossler a historian. I won't go into the history of the whole u-boat war as this book doesn't, read the two volume history of the U-Boat war by Blair Clay Jr. for true insight.

This volume covers a basic history, but unlike the usual volumes, does not contain the technical data one would expect and has a somewhat melencoly presentation of a great weapon that was never given it's opportunity to shine as a comerce raider against unarmed merchantmen. A great deal of time and photos are dedicated to bomb damage to construction yards and unfinished u-boats by US and UK bombers.

The line drawings are as usual excellent, and one is somewhat disappointed by the lack of overall expertise in presentation we expect from this wonderful series. In all, a good buy as a collectable, but if you are not, get a cheaper option. ... Read more

Product Description
As entertaining as a high-tech thriller, The Submarine is essential reading for understanding the last hundred years of war. It tells the story of the dreamers who first imagined submersible ships and the ingenious and practical engineers who created them; of the visionary national leaders and naval strategists who supported the development of underwater warships and the famous steel-nerved men on all sides who wielded this weapon. The Submarine details the role of subs in both world wars, and how, in the nuclear age, they became the most powerful weapons of war ever created—the force that paradoxically kept the peace during the Cold War without firing a single shot. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Enjoyable general history of the submarine
Thomas Parrish has written a history of the submarine for general consumption, rather than an analytic history of the ship.Despite his aim at a general audience rather than a group of specialists, Parrish does have an important thesis to share - that the submarine was developed for military use and, throughout its history, has been used primarily as a military weapon, with increasing success.

Starting with the earliest submersibles, Parrish wraps 200+ years of history into this single 500+ page volume.The book is written well, and reads quickly.Almost out of necessity, Parrish spends much of the work focused on submarines in WWI and WWII, where they really came of age.It is unfortunate that the book runs from WWII to the 21st century in a short perid - less than 90 pages, since that is a period that probably needs much more examination than has been given in the past.

Overall, this is a very good book, and one well worth reading.The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because of the lack of attention on the post-WWII time frame.

Doesn't go that deep.
Much as its title suggests "Submarine" follows the history of the military submarine from the first pre-modern boats (the Revolutionary War "Turtle"; the CSS Hunley) through the end of the cold war.I was skeptical that an author could encompass that much history in a single volume while giving the subject its deserved depth (no pun - I swear!!), or whether such an attempt was even worth the try.Unfortunately, having finished "Submarine" last night, I've determined that the answer is "no".

There's nothing that's plainly wrong with "Submarine", no gross inaccuracies that I could think of.It's that constrained to place in one volume what others have done with multiple volumes gives Parrish little room maneuver.The history that he depicts is one of loosely connected episodes which don't sufficiently come together to form a single historical narrative.We get a lot of history, but little of it adds to what's already been written."Submarine" is strongest in its early chapters, illustrating how the submarine became the terror weapon of the "Great War", although that may be because I've read little in that area.The story gets to its weakest in the cold war years, which becomes most glaring because that era was already covered extensively by the end of the 1990's in "Blind Man's Bluff" and Parrish provides little to add to it.(The "Kirsk" disaster occurred after "Bluff" was published, but Parrish gleans little not already published in the last nearly 7 years.)The evolving role of the submarine in the post-cold war era, and the need for ships like nuclear attack subs or missile submarines in an era with a single superpower is never touched on.Earlier sections dealing with the submarine in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during WWII also expose cable-documentary style history, in which the historical outcomes are never in doubt, no matter how closely those events came to producing a different result.(Parrish recounts the catastrophic assault of the U-Boats against allied convoys like PQ-17, yet breezes through the turn of events that ended the Battle of the Atlantic with over 30,000 U-boat sailors lost at sea.)

Much has been written about the submarine already - and despite what fans may say, those books are quite approachable to the casual reader while providing more coverage than this book.

Episodic History of the Submarine
This book is an attempt, largely successful, of a comprehensive history of the submarines.The author, who has written a number of military history books, opens his book with the recent recovery and brief history of the Hunley.Another brief chapter explores early submarine efforts such as Bushnell's Turtle, Robert Fulton and Wilhelm Bauer's work and the Spanish effort on Monturial's Ictinio.The modern realization of the submarine as embodied by Holland and Lake is covered, along with the substantial design differences in submarines espoused by each inventor.The coverage of the German U-boat campaign in World War I is excellent, running almost 120 pages.The interwar period of submarine development is described, with the advances in technology and the differing philosophies on the future role of the submarine. The Second World War is addressed from both the German U-boat perspective in the Atlantic (100 pages), as well as an excellent overview of the US Fleet Boat operations in the Pacific (125 pages), including details of skippers who won the Medal of Honor.After the conclusion of the war years, the book immediately launches into the development of nuclear propulsion.To his credit, Parrish does not start with (then) Captain Rickover, but covers much of the background technical work leading up to the point where Rickover became the driving force behind achieving nuclear propulsion in a short time frame.As is obligatory in these histories, some "Rickover interview vignettes" are included, as are examples of his shrewd use of US Congress Members to further his aims (and keep him from mandatory retirement).Rickover's growing power and his ability to challenge (and survive!) Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Secretary of the Navy Paul Nitze in the late 1960's are examples of his political savvy.Two chapters are devoted to the submarine missile programs, and another chapter deals with the loss of Thresher and Scorpion, the submarine special operations missions, such as the Halibut's cable tapping operations.This chapter covers material up to the present day, including a brief mention of the Seawolf and Virginia classes.The book closes with a brief chapter "On Eternal Patrol" about the WWII Submarine Veteran's Association.

Overall, this one volume history can serve as a decent, if somewhat episodic guide to overall submarine history.The treatment focuses a fair amount on politics, and not on submarine technology evolution. Some topics are given very minimal coverage, such as the Postwar Tang and Guppy fleet boat conversions, which are both covered in a single paragraph.The extremely important Albacore design gets a single mention in one sentence. The Soviet submarine developments during the Cold War get minimal coverage. Notable submarines such as the British T-class submarines receive passing mention, and the large Japanese aircraft carrying I-boats are not covered at all.Nonetheless, even with these omissions, I would recommend this book to anyone who desires a detailed and well written book that does cover most of the essentials.

Digestible and Informative History of these Silent Killers
In THE SUBMARINE: A HISTORY, Thomas Parrish aims essentially to provide a history of the 20th century, told through the "periscope" lens of the submarine and its impact on world events.Of course, his history briefly dips back into the sixteenth century, jumps forward to the Civil War, and finally discusses the two innovators, Holland and Lake, in submarine design and technology.But the meat of submarine history occurs during the two World Wars and Parrish wisely decides to spend most of his time exploring these waters.I decided to pick up this book primarily because I have been fascinated by submarines ever since I was kid, stemming from the fact that my grandfather served on the USS Apogon (a Balao class) during WWII.I figured it was high time I learn a bit more about them.

I am no submarine historian, nor am I an avid reader of war histories.Therefore, I think that I provide a fairly objective viewpoint when I say that I enjoyed reading Parrish's text.It is extremely digestible and Parrish seems to have done his homework.Indeed, he provides quite an extensive bibliography for further reading.I can only fault the book on two points.First, I believe that Parrish gets so caught-up in re-telling the wars and the surrounding context that he forgets to tell us what we are really interested in: the submarines.Naturally, it is nice to have a sense of the landscape before going deep into the bush, but I would have enjoyed spending more time "under the waves" rather than riding around on the surface.In short, I would have liked more detail and stories from the actual submarine tours and less abstract text about "the submarine" as a naval unit.

Secondly, given that Parrish does spend so much time dealing with the politics and abstract developments of submarine warfare, I believe that Parrish overestimates the role of the submarine in his history.No one is going to doubt the powerful impact that submarines have had on modern warfare, but there are other aspects of warfare (indeed, even of naval warfare) that have played an equally important, if not more important, role.Let us not, for instance, forget the powerful importance of the aircraft carrier.Parrish is forced at several points to deal with the difficulties and failures surrounding the development and performance of the submarine.In essence, he brushes these events aside, telling the story as if the submarine was destined for perfection, but was simply unrealized at various points in history.The story, quite frankly, appears to be much more complex than that.

Of course, this slanted view of the submarine arises from the fact that THE SUBMARINE: A HISTORY is told from the viewpoint of the submarine.It is bound to be a little glowing in its treatment.Overall, I found this text quite entertaining and informative.I have always been fascinated by submarines and it was nice to finally learn more about the history of these amazing machines.

the politics of submarines
This was a good journalistic (that is gossipy, not analytic) history of the politics surrounding submarines: the obtuseness of naval departments and international politics that surrounded and usually hindered the development of subs. But if you pick up this book really wanting to learn about the subs themselves, you will be quite disappointed. A few minutes with Hutchinson's "War Beneath the Waves" will tell you more about them than hours with this general history. ... Read more

Product Description
Midget submarines have been used by naval forces for underwater espionage, force deployment, mine laying and harbour protection ever since they were first developed. This book shows the history of these midget submarines, combining photographs with technical information and data listings. ... Read more

Product Description
The German U-boat Type XXI was a revolutionary marvel at the time of its development, close to the end of World War II. This book covers the history leading up to the development of the Type XXI, as well as covering the actual development and short usage of the U-boat. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Just a Taste

I was looking for more,needless to say.All the photos are standard post-war shots of Type XXI's under construction at the collapse of Germany,and a few shots of captured boats.What was needed was some feedback from the men who trained and served in them,some interior shots(easily available from U.S. and British post-war evaluations of these fine craft)Also some decent general arrangement drawings,inside and out.I was left knowing very little about the sub,period.Other than the out of print"Anatomy of the Ship"coverage,the Type XXI needs to be addressed in a larger,more comprehensive way. ... Read more

Product Description
Reveals the circumstances relating to Ireland's greatest maritime disaster - the sinking of the mail boat Leinster by German torpedoes on 10 October 1918. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Coastal Forces
A useful book in anyones library on coastal forces and inshore vessels. A first rate book. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes different kinds of submersibles, ships that can go underwater, including submarines, bathyscaphes, and the ABE or Autonomous Benthic Explorer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The story of submarines.
A nice story of the development of the submarine.I didn't think there was much of a story here until I read the book.This a nice concise summary of the history of submarines, complete with great illustrations and pictures.The perspective is British throughout, since this is a BBC book.It details the development of the submarine from the Revolutionary War to present times.This book leaves out the exploits of the Hunley, the Confederate submarine which sank a Union frigate.I found this kind of poor writing, since the Confederate submarine was one of the first to prove its ability as a military weapon.Other than that, the author does a good job detailing the development of this military weapon.The author also adds a chapter for the scientific and economic value submarines may hold for the future.
If the reader is looking for a book detailing the development of the submarine, this is a great read.It supports a major television documentary on submarines.Good reading.

The complete story of the submarine and submersible.
Although designed to accompany a major BBC television series, this book stands alone as the complete story of the development of the submarine from those early ingenious devices to the latest in nuclear powered technology. All the great names associated with the pioneering work of submarine design are here - including Bushnell, Fulton, Holland and Zédé.Even William Bourne gets a mention and he first described such a craft in a publication called "Inventions & Devices" as early as 1578!

Those early submarines are all well covered - complete with their successes and failures.This includes their use in times of war from the American Civil War through the two world wars of the 20th Century and latterly varies from the German U-Boat to the two man torpedoes and X-Craft of WW2.Curious how the German U-Boat of WW2 went on to become the basis for all the world's modern submarines. Eventually the book brings us right up to date with the story of those unmanned submersibles of the type use by Dr Ballard to find the Titanic.

In short, just about all you ever wanted to know really.

NM

Excellent overview of the history of submarines
I've never seen the television show which accompanies the book, but that really didn't affect my appreciation of the material.The book itself is worth buying.It starts out with a brief overview of the Sovietdevelopment of the nuclear submarine after World War 2 and their race withthe US design teams.The next chapter discusses ancient designs and thenJohn Holland's first submarine, which was funded by an Irish"Anti-England" group in the US.

The book covers WW1 and WW2submarine battles, famous ships with quotes from men who served on them,the US and Soviet cold war submarine warfare strategies, clandestineactivities and design techniques.It also covers the deep sea unmannedsubmersibles such as "Alvin" and the recovery of the hydrogenbomb off of the coast of Spain in the 1960's and the discovery of suchwrecks as the "Titanic" and the "Lusitania".

Overall,its a very thorough overview of the history of submarines and a goodintroduction to the world of submarine warfare.Plenty of charts andpictures to assist in understanding the text.There is only one instanceof profanity and that's a result of a direct textual representation of thecrew's dialogue while searching for the H-bomb - navigating shiftingcurrents, poor visibility, cramped quarters, and long hours can test even ascientist at times.

I would highly recommend this book for everyone. ... Read more

Product Description
From the Hunley to the Kursk, a full-color exploration of the greatest submarines ever lost--and found.

As millions have come to know from such immensely popular books and movies as The Hunt for Red October and U-571, the world of submarines is secretive and dangerous. On the ocean floor lie over a century and a half of subs, lost both in war and in peace. Now, for the first time, the individual stories of these sunken ships are woven together to create an amazing history of underwater warfare and exploration-and the price that hundreds of subs and thousands of sailors have paid. In gripping text and powerful images (including state-of-the-art contemporary underwater photographs), Lost Subs chronicles the fate of some of the most famous subs in naval history-from the sinking of the Confederate Army's sub Hunley to the recent loss of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk. With a wealth of archival material, modern and period photographs, and stunning paintings by renowned Titanic artist Ken Marschall, this definitive illustrated history brings to life the museum of submarines resting in their underwater graves and the submariners on "eternal patrol." And it vividly re-creates the missions to explore and raise many famous sunken subs, including the Hunley and the Kursk--missions sometimes as fraught with peril as any wartime duty. Filled with mystery, drama, and daring, and as current as today's headlines, Lost Subs is a powerful, true thriller. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Decent but disappointing
I'm a fan of WWII Naval history, and I bought a copy of this book at a reduced price--about 10 bucks. I'm glad I paid no more than that. Some of the pictures are compelling, but overall, the book is a very cursory look at a pretty sizeable topic. It might make for a good coffee table book, but there aren't enough pictures. It's certainly not a detailed history--more information on any of the sinkings listed can easily be found on any of a dozen general websites. The war in the Pacific gets half as many pages as the sinking of the Kursk? There seems to be a lack of effort/research on the author's part toward anything comprehensive, or to really put together a definitive pictoral history. What you get is a smattering of both, which is, after reading this from cover to cover in less than an hour and a half, unsatisfying.

Might as well be categorised under fiction.
This book commences with a foreword by Dr Bob Ballard and contains examples of the artwork by Ken Marschall found within some of Ballard's own books. With such credentials, I began reading the work with great expectations. Overall, it is a good read and some readers will probably learn something they did not previously know. The question is whether or not we can trust what is written!

What is lacking is the correct detail of the subject in hand. In short, this author seeks to get away with a peripheral overview of some of the world's greatest submarine stories. It is only when the reader comes across a specific subject he knows well (in my case, the loss of HMS Royal Oak in 1939) that we find far too many errors. Prien never claimed to have sunk HMS Repulse. It is a well-established fact he never mentioned the Repulse at any time - not even in his log. During his first attack on the Royal Oak, Prien aimed one torpedo to pass in front of the Battleship's bows to strike another vessel moored in the far distance. That torpedo, however, struck the Royal Oak's anchor chains and exploded. When he mounted his second attack, therefore, Prien was genuinely under the impression he had sunk that distant vessel - which he had not identified.

On his return to Germany, it was the Goebbels and Nazi propaganda machine that put a name to that other ship and publicly announced Prien had sunk both the Royal Oak and the Repulse. This was because the Repulse had been photographed moored in Scapa Flow a few days before Prien's attack and was missing from the post-attack photographs. What the German high command did not know, however, was that HMS Repulse had sailed for Rosyth for a refit where she arrived at 0946 hrs on the day Prien entered Scapa Flow. That ship in the distance, incidentally, was HMS Pegasus.

On the up side, the artwork, photographs and readability all score well. On the down side, my problem is that perennial complaint about accuracy of information. If the details pertaining to the attack on HMS Royal Oak are incorrect (and there are more errors!), then it is difficult to trust anything written elsewhere. Quite frankly, this book might just as well be categorised under "fiction." Altogether, I was left with the indelible impression this author seeks to include the names of more established (and more reliable) authors in a bid to give false credibility to his own work.

NM

NICE BOOK STUNNING IMAGES.
I am very pleased with this book. The images are stunning, the stories are compelling. This is a nice coffee table book that has some reading in it as well. Some of the boats covered are well known by submarine followers but there are a few that are more obscure.

Quite a treasure.
This book allows us to share , in a powerful manner , the lives of the men and women who risk their livesaboard submarines. It is a remarkable compilation of chronological facts , a history of submarines , if you will , accompanied by a treasure trove of phptographs , paintings , and technical illustrations, which will, to say the least, satisfy both our curiosity , and stimulate ourimagination .An astonishing accomplisment in such a small volume.

Might as well be categorised under fiction.
This book commences with a foreword by Dr Bob Ballard and contains examples of the artwork by Ken Marschall found within some of Ballard's own books. With such credentials, I began reading the work with great expectations. Overall, it is a good read and some readers will probably learn something they did not previously know. The question is whether or not we can trust what is written!

What is lacking is the correct detail of the subject in hand. In short, this author seeks to get away with a peripheral overview of some of the world's greatest submarine stories. It is only when the reader comes across a specific subject he knows well (in my case, the loss of HMS Royal Oak in 1939) that we find far too many errors. Prien never claimed to have sunk HMS Repulse. It is a well-established fact he never mentioned the Repulse at any time - not even in his log. During his first attack on the Royal Oak, Prien aimed one torpedo to pass in front of the Battleship's bows to strike another vessel moored in the far distance. That torpedo, however, struck the Royal Oak's anchor chains and exploded. When he mounted his second attack, therefore, Prien was genuinely under the impression he had sunk that distant vessel - which he had not identified.

On his return to Germany, it was the Goebbels and Nazi propaganda machine that put a name to that other ship and publicly announced Prien had sunk both the Royal Oak and the Repulse. This was because the Repulse had been photographed moored in Scapa Flow a few days before Prien's attack and was missing from the post-attack photographs. What the German high command did not know, however, was that HMS Repulse had sailed for Rosyth for a refit where she arrived at 0946 hrs on the day Prien entered Scapa Flow. That ship in the distance, incidentally, was HMS Pegasus.

On the up side, the artwork, photographs and readability all score well. On the down side, my problem is that perennial complaint about accuracy of information. If the details pertaining to the attack on HMS Royal Oak are incorrect (and there are more errors!), then it is difficult to trust anything written elsewhere. Quite frankly, this book might just as well be categorised under "fiction." Altogether, I was left with the indelible impression this author seeks to include the names of more established (and more reliable) authors in a bid to give false credibility to his own work.

NM

... Read more

Product Description
Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The first USS Pigeon (AM-47/ASR-6) was a Lapwing-class minesweeper of the United States Navy. She was later converted to a submarine rescue ship. She was named for the avian ambassador, the pigeon. Pigeon was laid down by the Baltimore Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co., Baltimore, Maryland; launched 29 January 1919; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph B. Provance; and commissioned in the Norfolk Navy Yard 15 July 1919, Lieutenant William C. Procknow in command. When hull classification symbols and numbers were assigned to ships on 17 July 1920, Pigeon was designated AM-47. Pigeon departed Norfolk to serve the Pacific Mine Force at San Diego, California; transited the Panama Canal 7 December 1919; and reached San Diego on 25 December. Pearl Harbor became her new base of operations 18 June 1920 and she decommissioned there 25 April 1922. Converted to a gunboat, she recommissioned at Pearl Harbor on 13 October 1923, Lieutenant Commander Elwin F. Cutts in command. Pigeon in Chinese waters, circa the later 1920s, showing modifications made to fit her as a gunboat for use on the Yangtze River.Still classified a minesweeper, Pigeon departed Pearl Harbor 7 November 1923 and joined the Yangtze River Patrol Force at Shanghai, China, 26 November 1923. For half a decade she served in the famous patrol protecting American citizens and commerce during the revolution that swept China. She began serving Submarine Division 16, U.S. Asiatic Fleet in September 1928. After ranging from the Philippines to the China coast, she fitted out as a Submarine Salvage Vessel at the Cavite Naval Station AprilJuly 1929. She sailed from Manila Bay 13 July to cruise with Asiatic Fleet Submarines along the China Coast until returning to Manila 11 September. The following day she was reclas... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=11507225 ... Read more

Product Description
Three years after the tragic sinking of the Titanic, another luxury liner went to a watery grave beneath the icy depths of the North Atlantic. The sinking of the Lusitania, torpedoed by a German U-boat in a sneak attack off the coast of Ireland, was one of the most pivotal and universally condemned acts of World War I.

Diana Preston chronicles the shipboard experiences of three children who were on that fateful voyage. Eleven-year-old Frank Hook, a third-class passenger, was moving to England with his father and older sister. Twelve-year-old Avis Dolphin, a second-class passenger, was being sent to an English boarding school with a chaperone. And five-month-old Audrey Pearl was traveling in luxurious first class with her parents, three siblings, and two nannies.

From different walks of life and varied circumstances, these three children shared a common bond-they all survived one of the most disastrous shipwrecks in history. Their stories, taken from firsthand accounts, personal interviews, and historical documents, provide a riveting look at one of the most tragic and significant events of World War I. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Absolutely wonderful book on the Lusitania!
Pass by any other book on the Lusitania because this is the only one you will need.Complete, thorough, and so very interesting.Our son (9 yrs. old) could not put it down even when the rest of the family wanted to watch a movie together.We called to him and he asked us to please let him finish because he just could not stop reading right then.It's 89 pages of edge of your seat "can't put it down" excitement.The photographs and illustrations bring you even closer to the tragedy.I would recommend this book for 4th grade to adult.Our son took his own money and bought the book so he could read it anytime.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants the complete story on the Lusitania.

Lusitania: An Epic Trajedy by Diane Preston
Don't take the age range given here on Amazon (9-12) seriously; this is an adult book.I am immensely impressed with the depth and breadth of Ms Preston's research.I have read other books on the Lusitania and none compare to hers, not only for the quality of the research, but for the beautifully flowing writing that makes it a true pleasure to read.I have already ordered her book on the Boxer Rebellion and others based on the impression I got from the Lusitania Book.If you think you have read all about the disaster, think again and get this book; I'm glad I did! ... Read more

Product Description
The submarine revolutionized naval warfare, progressing from the crude, steam-driven craft of the American Civil War to the silent nuclear machines that can cruise for months underwater without surfacing -- only limited by the endurance of their crews -- and carry intercontinental missiles mounting multiple nuclear warheads. Submarines and Deep-Sea Vehicles traces the history of these vessels, starting with the earliest submersible craft, to the stealthy nuclear giants of the modern age. Since the end of programs for the exploration and exploitation of space, man has turned his attention to a frontier much closer to home, the ocean. This is a highly illustrated examination of the remarkable technology that has been developed to enable man to explore a hidden world tens of thousands of feet deep, in conditions just as extreme as those found in space. The sea offers man numerous resources and is the medium for a wide range of activities, spawning an equally diverse array of vessels to exploit them. Ranging from the military stealth submarines of the Cold War to biological research vessels, to the latest remotely-operated machines, Submarines and Deep-Sea Vehicles is a stunning guide to man's exploration and exploitation of the fascinating world under the ocean and still our greatest frontier. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Active Merchant Ships of Norway, Active Submarines of Norway, Mv Tampa, Ula Class Submarine, Hnoms Pol Iii, Ms Berge Stahl, Taiko, Rs Sjøfareren, Epos Library Ship, Mv Granvin. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 24. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The Ula class is a Norwegian submarine type which was assembled in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The class, consisting of 6 vessels, is currently the only submarine type in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy. The ordering of a new Norwegian submersible design stemmed from a 1972 decision to modernize the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) submarine flotilla, which then consisted of the aging Kobben class submarines. The construction of the vessels was an international project. The combat systems were made in Norway by Kongsberg, the attack sonar is German and the flank sonars French. The hull sections were produced in Norway, and then assembled in Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke, Emden. In Germany, the design is known as the U-Boot-Klasse 210. When commissioned Ulas were the first Norwegian submarines with bedding for the entire crew and a shower. The Ula class submarines are among the most silent and maneuverable submarines in the world. This, in combination with the relatively small size, makes them difficult to detect from surface vessels and ideal for operations in coastal areas. The Ula class submarines are regarded as both the most effective and cost-effective weapons in the RNoN. In recent years, several submarines of the Ula class have been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea in support of the NATO Operation Active Endeavour, where their intelligence gathering ability have surpassed expectations. Their operational availability proved to be the highest of all the ships taking part in the operation. However, this de...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=1040025 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book for kids
Great book for kids under 10 years old,East to read and great information about submarines ... Read more

Product Description
An illustrated account of how the modern submarine fleets came to be, from the very first underwater vessel that crossed the Thames in 1620, to the ultra-computerized nuclear submarine that functions as the strategic linchpin for most of today's advanced navies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

From the first sub in 1620 to computerized nuclear subs
This military coverage of the attack submarine provides a fine account of how modern sub fleets came to be an important part of the military; from the first sub in 1620 to computerized nuclear subs of today. Submarine Book appears in a new edition which provides a new chapter updating technology and history.

A great resource for submarine enthusiasts
This book is perfect for those wishing they could live aboard a submarine. In shows an in-depth view of life aboard a sub, and includes a detailed history of the submarine, from peace-time exploration to the fierce battles of WWII.It describes how the U.S. Navy first refused the idea of a submarine, and how the dedicated researchers never gave up.This is an excellent book for submariner-hopefuls and will appeal to any readers of naval or military history.

Also covers the contemporary problems creating by submarines
Now in a substantially revised and updated edition, Chuck Lawliss' The Submarine Book provides the reader with a superbly researched, written, and up to date history of the attack submarine. From the first underwater vessel to cross the Thames River in 1620 to the multi-billion-dollar modern submarines, this unique class of vessels has had a compelling and fascinating history. Lawliss also covers the contemporary problems creating by submarines, such as the 120 decommissioned Russian subs off the coast of Murmansk. If they sink, nuclear waste will ruin the environment. Highly recommended reading for military buffs, The Submarine Book offers a detailed portrait of life aboard today's subs in a concise, readable, and fully-illustrated account.

Glaring Error in the First Few Pages
Normally I research an author's background before buying a book on a technical subject such as submarines, but in this case since I was waiting for a plane and was desperate for something to read, I got this book. It initially appealed to me since it was profusely illustrated and even included mention of the "Kursk" incident, but when I saw the rather wide (almost double-) spacing between the lines, I was a little suspicious.

Admittedly, I've only read through the first dozen or so pages so far, but this one error I found really bothers me (especially for a "revised and updated" edition). The world's first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus (SSN 571), was launched in 1954 (January 21st, to be exact), not 1962 as the book states.

In skimming the rest of the book, I came across a photograph of Adm. Hyman Rickover on page 115 "on the deck of a submarine headed out to sea." The submarine's number is clearly visible on the conning tower: 571. It's obviously the Nautilus; why the author would not identify this historic vessel as such or even by name instead of just labeling it as "a submarine" is beyond me. As I finish the rest of the book, I know I'm going to be uncomfortable with any more of this author's assertions.

I think any submarine enthusiast getting this book should use it as an exercise in checking for errors; anyone wanting to learn about submarines should go to a more credible source such as "Submarine Design and Development" by Norman Friedman of the U. S. Naval Institute, books by Norman Polmar also of USNI, or any edition of "Jane's Fighting Ships." ... Read more

Product Description
For almost a century, submarines have patrolled the world's oceans.Their missions, even their construction, have been cloaked in secrecy.Now, we'll take you where cameras have never been allowed before, to witness the incredible birth of a modern nuclear submarine about to embark on a potentially dangerous mission.This is the story of the most complex military machine of the 20th Century, a superstructure called Seawolf. ... Read more