Customer Reviews

The Encyclopedia of Weapons of WWII: The Comprehensive Guide to over 1,500 Weapons Systems, Including Tanks, Small Arms, Warplanes, Artillery, Ships, and Submarines

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Thie repeat is to add a little more and to correct one part of my previous review. I tried to edit my last review 4 times but it never showed up: [Correction - The 40mm Bofors is included but has no artwork or pictures and the information on the most lethal medium range AA gun of the war is barely adequate.] This book is a mixed bag. Its well organized and easy to follow and read with above average numbers of very nice color plates and pictures. However, dont expect *every* weapon that played a part in the war, or very well could have, to be included yet some weapons were included that didnt even take part. On the naval side it lacks a lot! Missing ship classes: BC Dunkerques, BB Queen Elizebath (which includes the BB Warspite which had a very active career), BC Hood, BC Andrea Doria, BC Caio Duilio, CA Baltimore, SS Salmon/Sargo, CL Atlanta, BC Kongo, BB Nagato, BB Ise, BB Tennessee, BB New Mexico, BB Nevada, etc..etc.. Dont expect much in the naval sections at all except some repetitive entries of the same class of ship and skimpy numbers of entries for the rest. On the land weapons side its not bad but not spectacular. Some entries are included that are very interesting and not often seen in other books but other critical entries left out and another part that was missing that I feel should have been included are naval anti-aircraft guns which, like usual in many books, are ignored even though they were VERY critical in the war. The details are not bad for what IS included but it is DEFINITELY not (as shown on the cover fold) "the most detailed" of its class of military book... not even close. This book is very much like slapping together a bunch of general purpose military weapons books covering single topics that are NOT comprehensive and putting them in one book. The details are about the same as in any other general purpose weapons book.. no better. It is also not the most comprehensive. In the end this is a book that is worth about $20 as a general purpose book for a WW2 weapons enthusiast. On a scale of A-F its a C+ at best. Note: I have been researching military weapons for over 20 years and own a wide range of books of varying detail level levels and quality. Thanks for your time in reading this review.

It simply contains EVERYTHING. And very well organized by categories, so that you have all the weapons of the same category and origin grouped together.

In additon to all the 'common' weapons you'd expect to find (tanks, aircraft, guns, etc), there are also detailed entries for everything else. From flamethrowers and anti-tank weapons to german radio-guided missiles and even a photo of a german heavy jet bomber with a forward-swept wing during a test flight. From patrol boats to battleships, and from mortars to anti-aircraft guns. It's simply ALL there.

There are well-written detailed historical/technical texts and specs for each entry. Almost each entry has a color drawing, and most have one wartime photo or more.

The quality of each entry's text is not compromised by the wide scope of the book. It's simply a BIG book. I have learned something new and interesting from almost every entry I read.

A real all-in-one major reference.

Overall this book is very good for the novice or advanced World War 2 history buff alike. The entries are arranged by country of origin for the particular weapon and type of weapon. All catagories are covered, from heavy tanks and self-propelled guns to rifles and even flamethrowers. I have found obscure weapons in this book that I have not seen in other, less concise reference books. The entries themselves are well-written, with few errors to be found. Detailed information about the history and the models, along with a brief summary of the war career of the weapon is given.
There are some ommisions that are rather unexpected though. I have looked through the book thoroughly and I have not been able to find the Fletcher class destroyer, the B-25 medium bomber, the Bf-109, or, incredibly enough, the Jeep! One would think that if the book had the Horton Ho IX (a prototype, flying-wing, jet bomber), it would have the most famous Nazi fighter plane, or the symbol of American strength, the Jeep. The glossary leaves much to be desired as well, it has the name of virtually every piece of equipment in the war and yet gives no page number. While this book has some faults, it is an excellent all in one book for World War 2 weapons and equipment. Buy it today, it's worth it.

This is not just another glossy coffee-table type book. The detail packed into this volume is impressive,both text and illustration.Lots of info on obscure weapons as well as the
well-known make this an important addition to the library of
the advanced ww2 buff.

For a firearms afficionado -- modern or historical --, The Encyclopedia of Weapons of WW2 is a godsend. The book covers everything from service pistols to the obscure German half-bikes personal transports.

While it does have some fairly popular weapons missing from its pages, the book stands as a very coherent guide for any type of weaponry found in the bloodiest battle.

One of the best coffee table books I can think of, though you might get some odd looks with this bad boy adorning your java bench.

If someone intends to compile a book of this magnitude with a title such as "Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II",either publish it COMPLETE or don't publish it at all!! First of all, there's an entire chapter missing on "Allied Destroyers". Secondly, the famous North American B-25 Mitchell bomber, an instrumental weapon in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns, not to mention one of the most exported aircraft in the post-war MAP program, is omitted--a crime in my book!! An entry on the world-renowned U.S.JEEP is missing, too!! A full-color profile of the famous German Schnellbooten (E-Boat)torpedo boat would have been nice! Additionally, there are a few entries with summaries--but no photographs/color profiles of any kind. Some, albeit little of it, of the photography of the weapons, although nice and sharp,sometimes do not completely define what you are looking at --i.e. ships. You get a partial picture at times, or one taken of the ship's bow from the bridge---what lousy choices. Overall, the book is atttractive, I'll give it that. The technical artwork, photos and page quality are outstanding, but, as I mentioned, a half-assed attempt on a book which could have otherwise been an A+++ work should the authors "gone all the way", as I WOULD HAVE!!! WHAT A WASTE!!

I only just started looking over this book- which I find exciting- but I already noticed something I'm totally confused by. Namely, that the in/famous Messerschmitt Bf 109 is not listed or shown. Sure there's several honorable mentions but no photos or full entry. I looked in all the aviation chapters- I keep thinking and hoping it will show up. If anyone knows where I can find this missing miracle machine that the best aces of the war loved please let me know? Seriously, I'm still looking.

Also- I don't understand why the editors list several experimental non-operation Ally jet aircraft. They even mention their non-use and uselessness in the war.

This is an outstanding reference for any WW2 fan. I would definately suggest it to anyone.

This book is a mixed bag. Its well organized and easy to follow and read with above average numbers of very nice color plates and pictures. However, dont expect *every* weapon that played a part in the war, or very well could have, to be included as some weapons were included that didnt even take part. On the naval side it lacks a lot.. for example the book leaves out the following ship classes: BC Dunkerque, BB Queen Elizabeth (the BB Warspite had a very active career), BC Hood, BC Andrea Doria, BC Caio Duilio, CA Baltimore, CL Atlanta, BB Nevada, BB New Mexico, CB Alaska, BB Nagato, BB Ise, BC Kongo, SS Salmon/Sargo, etc..etc.. Dont expect much in the naval sections at all except some repetitive entries of the same class of ship and skimpy numbers of entries for the rest. On the land weapons side its not bad but not spectacular. Some entries are included that are very interesting and not often seen in other books but other critical entries left out and another part that was missing that I feel should have been included are naval anti-aircraft guns which, like usual in many books, are ignored even though they were VERY critical in the war. The details are not bad for what IS included but it is DEFINITELY not (as shown on the cover fold) "the most detailed" of its class of military book... not even close. This book is very much like slapping together a bunch of general purpose military weapons books covering single topics that are NOT comprehensive and putting them in one book. The details are about the same as in any other general purpose weapons book.. no better. It is also not the most comprehensive. In the end this is a book that is worth about $20 as a general purpose book for a WW2 weapons enthusiast. On a scale of A-F its a C+ at best and that is only due to some moderately good sections covering aircraft and land weapons. Note: I have been researching military weapons for over 20 years and own a wide range of books of varying detail level levels and quality. Thanks for your time in reading this review.

This big book is the perfect compliment to the World War 2 buff. When watching a documentary, feature film, playing WW2 PC games etc. it makes a great reference point to look up information. I was looking for information on German tanks and came across it. It has tanks and much more. It has plenty of facts and pictures on everything you could want. It is the best all in one weapon book I have come across and makes for interesting reading anytime. Everything is laid out very well but could have used an index in the back. Other than that it is well worth the purchase.
Now I know what I am looking at on TV and the movies, and it makes for a better historical experience. Model builders and WW2 Wargamers would appreciate it as a big help.