Customer Reviews

Anti-Submarine Warfare in World War I: British Naval Aviation and the Defeat of the U-Boats (Cass Series: Naval Policy and History)

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On the surface, it might seem a little strange that a senior officer in the United States Air Force would address the topic of naval aviation -- and British naval aviation at that. However, it takes the reading of only a few pages to realize that this book was a labor of love for this military pilot and professional historian. This is a totally fresh look at this campaign, wherein Colonel Abbatiello examines the pioneering British air efforts used toward defeating the German unrestricted submarine campaign of 1917-1918. "Anti-Submarine Warfare in World War I" is truly an exceptional piece of scholarship. It will stand for many years as the definitive study of the subject. As one might expect, from an author holding a Ph.D. from King's College, it's completely authoritative -- yet it's also highly readable for both the scholar and the lay person. I give it my highest, unqualified recommendation to anyone at all interested in naval history, airpower history, or the history of World War I.

If I did have any criticism, it's that the publisher has done the author and the book a disservice in setting the purchase price of this hardbound book terribly high; yet, I've just discovered that a new, paperback edition has just come out, with a completely affordable price. It is also on Amazon, but in a separate entry (but same title).