Battleship Arizona: An Illustrated History [Hardcover]

Paul Stillwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1991

A full history of the famous warship's twenty-five year career, including riveting stories from the survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This study of Pearl Harbor's most famous casualty is less a biography of a warship than a sympathetic profile of the crew and their activities. Military hardware buffs may be disappointed with the lack of nuts-and-bolts technical detail about hull and weapon systems, but the story of the ship's career is presented in profusely illustrated detail. Stillwell conducted numerous interviews with Arizona veterans and ends up with a captivating group portrait of officers and enlisted men. He also provides highly readable insight into the swagger and professionalism that made up the once-invincible "Battleship Navy." Previewed in "The Day of Infamy in Print," LJ 9/1/91, p. 206-207.
- Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force His tory Prog., Los Angeles
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 404 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (November 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870210238
• ISBN-13: 978-0870210235
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #625,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for every Naval historian, May 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Battleship Arizona: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

Again, Paul Stillwell brings you the true heart of a Battleship: the men who sailed her and (in this case) the men who died with her. The only thing that can make you feel more solemn is to visit the ARIZONA memorial yourself. No, this book is not all doom and gloom. It is filled with pages of the earlier glory days of that fine ship. But the ship's ultimate fate is appropriately handled with Paul's expert hand. I had misgivings about the MISSOURI being transferred to Pearl Harbor as a museum/memorial ship because I thought it would detract from the reverence due to ARIZONA. But, as I understand it, the two ships will be several hundred yards apart with ARIZONA still under the care of the National Parks Service. This is as it should be. But before going there, read Paul's book. Richard Landgraff DREADNAUGHT CONSULTING Long Beach, California

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good book, January 13, 2004

By 

Tom (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battleship Arizona: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

I chose to read The Illustrated History of the Battleship Arizona, written by Paul Stillwell. This is not the first book of this format that he has written The Illustrated History of the Battleship Missouri, follows the same format as well. The book started in the shipyard as the U.S.S. Arizona was being built then the author takes you through the daily routine of the ship as if you were a sailor on the great battleship. You feel as though you're in the middle of Pearl Harbor looking over the Arizona as the battle is taking place. The ship was built in 1918, and was the pride of the Pacific fleet threw out the 20's. The Arizona was featured in a Famous movie called, Here Comes the Navy. After Pearl Harbor the ship was made into a now world famous memorial.

This had been one of the best books I had ever been able to read there is so much information given on this great ship, and the pictures make the ship come alive. I would suggest this book to anyone who has an interest in ships and the way they run, or a fan of history. I have not read any other books that Paul Stillwell has written, but if they are half as good as this one I would recommend it to anyone.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy tribute to the U.S.S. Arizona, June 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Battleship Arizona: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

To many of us, our knowledge of the Arizona begins and ends at Pearl Harbor. The book not only brings alive the rich history of the ship during her 25 years of service, but provides a wealth of information about Navy life between the world wars. The rare pictures of the ship and her crew also bring one closer to the Arizona experience as no other single source can.