The Imperial War Museum Book of the War at Sea [Paperback]

Julian Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997 | ISBN-10: 0283063084 | ISBN-13: 978-0283063084

The story of nearly six years war at sea during World War II, as seen by British sailors, from Ordinary Seamen to Admirals, in their memoirs, diaries, letters, and taped interviews. This book is part of a series published in co-operation with the Imperial War Museum.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Soon our shots were exploding all over the cruiser. So short became the range that we could see our projectiles exploding on the target. Ben Smyth, our trainer, stopped the gun following the target, saying "It's bloody murder, Bill," shouting at the gunlayer who was firing' - Boy Seaman Hayward on the capsizing of the Blucher, Battle of Dogger Bank" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

After a distinguished career in the Royal Marines, General Julian Thompson is now visiting professor in the Dept of War Studies, Kings College. He is the author of nine other works of military history. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Trans-Atlantic Pubns (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0283063084
• ISBN-13: 978-0283063084
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,511,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book Having Rare Photos, June 24, 2000

By 

BURAK ÇINAR - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Imperial War Museum Book of the War at Sea: The Royal Navy in the Second World War (Hardcover)

Julian Thompson's "The War at Sea" is an excellent study for all World War-II collectors as well as researchers. In the book, there are selected memories which were taken from major and minor naval actions during the Second World War. The book has a valuable photo-archive of Royal Navy, including some opponents' photos. Although the information level was shadowed by book's visual effects (also have some color paintings), you can find good statistics. Ten chapters of book were formed in the chronological way, having struggle of Royal Navy, not only in the Atlantic and Mediterranean but also in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, there are only five basic maps showing main naval bases and a detailed diagram. In sum, excellent and different.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daily Life Aboard Ship in Fisher's Royal Navy, November 14, 2007

By 

George Coppedge (Czech Republic) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Imperial War Museum Book of the War at Sea 1914-1918: The Face of Battle Revealed in the Words of the Men Who Fought (Paperback)

During the four years of WWI while battles raged across the European continent, the Royal Navy quietly transformed itself from a largely amateurish, unskilled, and unimaginatively led force into a highly professional, increasingly technical, and totally dominant juggernaut. Very quickly political appointees ran aground in the wartime environment and were replaced by confident, daring commanders. These changes became immediately apparent to the officers and men serving aboard RN ships, whose fascinating letters we read throughout the book.

The book starts by describing the life of prospective officers attending naval cadet school and later their (typical) traumas serving as midshipmen - basically one hazing after another until they became sub-lieutenants. However difficult midshipmen had it generally paled in comparison to the subservient, demeaning, and physically demanding life many common sailors led. The captain unquestionably remained God aboard ship with dire consequences for those who fell foul of him. Fisher's navy was extraordinarily class-conscious and overly centralized (with commanders often awaiting orders from distant superiors in the midst of desperate battle).

Julian Thompson, the author, summarizes all the Royal Navy's main actions in the book - Heligoland, Coronel, the Falklands, Gallipoli, Jutland, Zeebrugge/Ostend - using both narration and eyewitness sources. But beyond these well-known actions, Thompson takes us aboard tin cans shipping hurricane-strength seas during U-boat patrols, flying recon & bombing runs over the North Sea & Germany, and audaciously torpedoing enemy warships in their home waters. These accounts are absolutely fascinating - especially the zeppelin hunting expeditions over the North Sea and the trials (and failures) of early naval aviation. Ever heard of launching a plane off of a lighter (barge) pulled by a destroyer? They did it!

For landlubbers, the book also has a naval glossary, a list of naval rankings & ratings, and a few general area maps. Also included are some rarely seen photos and an extensive bibliography with notes. Having read lots about WWI, I was happily surprised that I found much fresh material in this book. It was a pleasure to read, too. I highly recommend it!