Customer Reviews

Spanish Galleon 1530-1690 (New Vanguard)

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In the 150 years between the first quarter of the 15th C. and the last quarter of the 16th, a revolution in shipbuilding and sailing techniques and technology occurred which has dwarfed, certainly in its effects and consequences, all subsequent developments, even that which saw the evolution from wind-powered, wooden ships to steam-powered, metal ones, and yet the number of books and articles covering that development is exasperatingly small (and much of it is old and outdated, despite an ever increasing body of archaeological evidence which would support a massive analysis and reassessment). In detailing the development of the "Galleon" type vessel, this book captures the last part of that revolution. If it is a bit unsatisfying then that is not due to any defect in the book itself, but rather is a reflection of the fact that it lacks the necessary prologue, detailing the progression from cog, to caravel, to carrack, which preceded the development of the galleon. One hopes that Osprey plans on remedying that lack with future releases covering those types and their development into the modern ship.

That said, in all other ways, this is a very satisfying, typical Osprey offering. The illustrations are superb. The technical information, so far as the scope of the work allows, is more than adequate. It offers a decent primer on the development of the galleon type and an excellent presentation on its subsequent development. Its chief weakness exists only because the book cannot present the galleon in its historical context, a job which only additional volumes, covering the evolution of sailing technology and ship types, can remedy.

If this is an area of interest, then, by all means, buy the book and hope for more, hopefully from this same author and illustrator.