Customer Reviews

The Discovery of the Bismarck: Germany's Greatest Battleship Surrenders Her Secrets

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Hello!, I'm an enthusiast of the Kriegsmarine, I was waiting for the book, I've searhcing it for months, and finally it came!!!, as I expected from the Ballard's books, this is an amazing book. I began to be intrested in the Battleship Bismarck since I was 7 years old, and one day of 1989 I hear that: "the man who found Titanic, now has found the Battleship Bismarck". Since then I was looking for the book.
It shows the aspect of the wreck and a lot of information about the ship. It also has a nice paints, which represents the descicive moments of the battle. A book that must be in the library of every one intrested in this subject.

In 1989, Robert Ballard, Discoverer of the Titanic, located the legendary German warship Bismarck three miles below the Atlantic. This book includes some excellent photos of the the ship as she origanally appeared and of the ship as she appears today. Also includes much info about the sea chase (About half the book as a matter of fact). What's most amazing is that Bismarck took so much damage but yet is shown well preserved in these photos. The only problem is there is no reprint. A second expedition to the wreck would also be nice. Oh Well!

Not satisfied with having found the Titanic, this great explorer of Oceans set off in search of what many people believe to be the greatest Battleship ever built - the Bismarck.

Whilst we are treated, once again to excellent illustrations by Ken Marschall of the wreck itself, my own favourite series of images are across pages 218/9 and show the Bismarck sinking, how it turned upside down allowing the big guns to fall away from their mountings, how it then turned right side up as it continued it's voyage - 3 miles down, until it came to rest creating a massive underwater landslide. It is because there are no currents down there that that landslide was found - exactly as it was on the day it was created by this great ship in May 1941.

Having the achieved yet another outstanding feat of finding a famous - but elusive ship so far beneath the ocean's surface, Dr Ballard has, once again put together the most complete account of that search, discovery and final success. He also includes an extremely detailed, accurate and well portrayed account of the life and death of the ship itself. As with the Titanic, all the facts and historic photographs are there and, as I know from researching lesser ships, he really has done the most thorough job of work on all fronts.

From the book's front cover onwards we are, once again, treated to the most "outstanding" collection of artwork created by Ken Marschall. From thousands of photographic images taken far below the surface, Bob Ballard created montage after montage of the various sections and profiles of this great ship so that Mr Marschall was able to provide us with paintings which are as accurate as colour photographs.

Once again (and it will not be for the last time!) I congratulate Dr Ballard on an excellent and professional job of work. Altogether, the most outstanding book for which 5 stars are not enough.

NM

The discovery of the wreck by Bob Ballard once again only demonstrated what an incredible explorer of our oceans Bob is.

The Bismarck class of battleships were amongst the largest warships built in nazi Germany (superseded only by the Kriegsmarine aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin in length) and were both formidable and beautiful.

The story of the persuit and subsequent sinking of this, the most powerful of Hitler's battleships is one of the great maritime naratives of the second world war.

An awesome piece of writing, the book is an excellent combination of history and adventure; the story of the discovery and exploration of Bismarck being almost as exciting as the story of her persuit!

Definately worth a read. 10/10!

this book is full of awesome pictures and it tells a great deal about the Bismarck. Its a must have.

Featuring a nice synopsis of the Bismarck's short history and some excellent period photos this book really shines in the details of finding the wreck and the assorted problems that crop up during this kind of expedition; everything from financing, storms, provisions, personality conflict, equipment malfunctions, and the seafloor itself. Not to mention piecing together pre-GPS navigation & position logs written from notes hastily scribbled during action.

Also extremely interesting is how convincing opinions can form in the face of limited evidence as when the first expedition discovered not Bismarck but a schooner wreck.

I couldnt agree more..great book and great information. But I was expecting more photos of Bismark (at its current state).