Customer Reviews

Aircraft Carriers of the World, 1914 to the Present

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has every aircraft carrier built and most if not all of them planned up to its publication. It includes all US escort carriers and other carriers converted from merchant ships. The book goes to the mid 1980's so it does not include the very latest carriers such as the new French and other carriers but it includes everything up to then, such as the US Nimitz class. The new Russian carrier is missing also. It has all but the last half dozen carriers. If you are looking for an encyclopedia of aircraft carriers through the 20th century then look no further

Roger Chesneau's Aircraft Carriers of the World (1914 to the Present), is excellent.
It has all the elements that a good warship reference ought to have: black and white images of the ships, top-side line drawings of the vessels, and detailed specifications of each class in a quick reference box. The information on each of the major aircraft carrier types is concise, relevant, and to the point. The data given is useful and utilitarian rather than glossy or fluffy.
Carriers of the World is a "nuts-and-bolts" reference book of 5 star quality.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their naval warship library.

This is a really terrific reference book and contains a wealth of information and knowledge about the world's aircraft carriers.

The fifty-page Preface contains numerous photographs and diagrams to accompany a history of the origin, development, role and evolution of the carrier. After that, the book is organized by country in alphabetical order. The United States, Great Britain and Japan consume the bulk of the pages by virtue of the World War II carriers built and deployed. The photos and layouts continue generously in this section along with construction data for the various classes of carriers built.

The book is fully indexed with a robust bibliography, a very helpful glossary and contains a list of all the aircraft carrier builders throughout the world.

My version was published in the 80s so the newer carriers are not depicted but for anyone who desires to understand the origins and role of this unique class of naval ship, especially how they performed in World War II at the zenith of their influence and power, this book has no equal. It was indispensable in the research for my own historical novel.

John E. Nevola
Author of The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II
Some proceeds donated to assist families of fallen soldiers

This book seems to be the best standard reference of its type on aircraft carrires available. The other reviewers have listed its merits, however I yearn for a single volume account about aircraft carriers of World War Two similar to the books written by M J Whitley. Until then, this will have to do.