All The World's Battleships: 1906 to the Present (Conway Classics) [Hardcover]

Ian Sturton (Editor), Przemyslaw Budzbon (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1996

All the World's Battleships provides the technical data, gives the design background and outlines the careers of the world's battleships and battlecruisers. The information has been revised and expanded from Conway's renowned 'Fighting Ships' series. Organized by nation, type, and class, each battleship is described in detail and every page is illustrated with plans and historic photographs, many shown across double pages so that the fascinating details can be appreciated. The ship histories include references to important technical and political developments in the various navies of the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Conway Maritime Press (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851776914
• ISBN-13: 978-0851776910
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,974,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating but dated classic, September 9, 1999

By 

John Stedman ([e-mail]) (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All The World's Battleships: 1906 to the Present (Conway Classics) (Hardcover)

As a compendium of all the battleships and battlecruisers built from 1906 onwards, Ian Sturton's book is an essential reference. But the line drawings are rather basic and only show a profile of each ship, and the photgraphs although well chosen are poorly printed and lack contrast and detail. There are better sources of information and debate, but as a collection of often esoteric vessels this deserves a look

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent, but not outstanding, January 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: All The World's Battleships: 1906 to the Present (Conway Classics) (Hardcover)

You get what you pay for.

Pros: Inexpensive, somewhat comprehensive in detail and scope (especially regards to "might-have-been ships such as the Owari, G3, and Lexington classes)

Cons: Weak editing in a few glaring cases (Bungo Straights, furore, calbier), black and white photos, line drawings only.
Inconsistent attention to detail (section on German ships went into detail on turret types, but this is not repeated with other nationalities).

Other notes:
1)Could be made more succesful if they included articles on various battleship related topics such as Washington Treaty, pre-dreadnought race, influence of politics upon battleship development, etc. The book has only a short intro before they begin talking about the various ships.

2) Useful as a reference book in conjunction with other books, but would not rely solely on this book as a reference.

Would recommend this as a "buy", but be aware of its limitations.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What you see is what you get., July 9, 2004

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: All The World's Battleships: 1906 to the Present (Conway Classics) (Hardcover)

Towards the end of the 19th Century, the world's first great arms race was running a full speed. As either Britain or Germany (the two largest navies in the world at that time) built a big battleship - so the other side would simply design one that was even bigger. This attitude towards supremacy in weapons became infectious and, as far as battleships were concerned, continued right up to 1937 with the design and building of the ultimate Battleship of all time - the Yamato with it's 18.1in guns.

Conway Maritime Press are well known for their factual books on ships - especially warships, in which they provide the finest technical documentation. "All the World's Battleships - 1906 to Present" is hard-back measuring 11¼" x 8¾" with 190 pages of detailed and factual information. Commencing with Argentina all the world's battleships are listed by country - under which heading they are then displayed by "class of ship" commencing with the oldest vessels and ending with the latest. For each class there is one or more of those profile line drawings for which Conway's books have become so well known. These are followed by all the usual technical details such as; Displacement, dimensions, machinery, armour, armament and complement followed by the names of each ship within that class and it's builder, date laid down, date completed and fate. Next is a very "readable" potted history from which we learn of any political intrigue, variations between vessels, refits, new equipment, whatever defects or other problems that may have beset either the class or a specific ship and a short résumé of the fate of each vessel.

Finally, the book is well illustrated with an excellent selection of black and white photographs throughout with at least one photograph on almost every page.

On reading some of the criticisms voiced in earlier reviews, I would not be put off from buying this book just because a few wretched typographical errors may have crept in (I didn't notice them.). Nor would be put off just because one or two of the photographs may not be as sharp as we have come to expect in this day and age. Those photographs which are not pin-sharp are included because they are the only photographs which exist and they come from an age when (a) cameras were not widely available, (b) all photography was in black and white and (c) even photography itself was in it's infancy. As for the comment about drabness - it does not describe the book I have just reviewed.

Furthermore, at £15:00, I consider this to be one of the best deals I have come across in a long time.

NM