U.S. Submarines Through 1945 : An Illustrated Design History [Hardcover]

Norman Friedman (Author), Andrew Friedman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1995

This series offers detailed descriptions of the evolution of all classes of the principal U.S. combatant types. Each of the seven volumes is fully illustrated with deck plans, outboard profiles, sketches from major design studies, and numerous detailed photographs. The appendixes contain a wealth of information on ship characteristics and equipment.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 379 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557502633
• ISBN-13: 978-1557502636
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #888,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding treatise, April 15, 2001

By 

Claudio Bompadre - See all my reviews

This review is from: U.S. Submarines Through 1945 : An Illustrated Design History (Hardcover)

If this is not the definitive book, it must come pretty close. As one of the most respected naval analyst, the author covers the birth and development of submersible ships and submarines with minute details from their inceptions to the II WW latest types.

The text is extraordinarily well researched, reflecting its scholar-like approach to the subject; nevertheless it is an easy and relaxing read, expecially if you take into account the deep level of accuracy and precise reconstruction of historical events. Specific aspects of submarine technology are carefully dissected: the naval yard organization, the US Navy Bureaus capacity and their (obviously) rivalry in design competence, the development of powerplants and hulls. A particular attention is dedicated to submarine perfomances evolution, how they were estimated conducting tradeoff studies and inspecting foreign submarines and equipment. In a well orchestrated narration, the book provides a detailed insight into technical and political machinations of subs building programs, explaining the different (to tell the truth I should say conflicting) opinions of political leadership, Staff strategic conceptions for the Arm, service Bureaus technical management and , last but not the least, the real requisites of Commanding Officers, the ultimate users ( and the one that took the risks in combat). A true gem in the volume is the data provided in appendices.They cover mainly submarine propulsion and periscope development: since they are vital technologies, shaping the sub operative capability and seagoing perfomance, full studies are presented giving a clear picture of design and manifacturing practices as demanded by the Navy. Weapons, fire control, sonars, tactics, instruments and systems innovations are also covered. For each of them, the author delivers a clarifying view of "how" scientist and builders achieved leaping technological solutions to enhance fighting capabilities. This authoritative content is supported by a fascinating collection of photographs, complemented by extensive use of cross sections, inboard profiles plus drawings and sketches of abortive designs.

There is no doubt at all, this beatiful hardcover volume will adorn your bookcase, barely withstanding the heavy use it will unquestionably get as a reference source.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative, comprehensive reference, December 2, 1999

By 

Spencer K. Stephens (Rockville, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: U.S. Submarines Through 1945 : An Illustrated Design History (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for the serious student of submarine history. It is perhaps the most authoritative reference book on the subject of post WWII submarines. Not only is it detailed and fully illustrated, it contains excellent tables comparing performance, size, etc. of various American submarine classes. One of its most valuable features is its descriptions of the performance characteristics of each generation of submarine and descriptions of how the designers of each successive generation attempted to improve performance. It explores, in depth, the characteristics of various generations of submarine devices, most notably sonar. It is fully footnoted and the footnotes often contain remarkable bits of info.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If it's US submarines you be wanting, maty, this be it!, September 17, 2009

By 

Gregory P. Kretchmer (Provo Ut USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: U.S. Submarines Through 1945 : An Illustrated Design History (Hardcover)

In the early 60's, I was able to take a tour of the USS Steelhead before it was decommissioned at San Diego. This book does not show me standing there, but it comes very close. The book documents submarines from the start to the second war in detail. It includes problems, solutions, working with a government that had to have congressional approval for hiring one draftsman and how far motivated people can go in the space of 10 years driven by dreams and not greed. To business... The book is very heavy on facts and backs them up with pictures. It lacks section views for model makers but the side diagrams are excellent. The facts are presented in a technical manor and appears to be a lifetime collection of information by a dedicated author. All the facts can make it a hard read later in the book, but press on to get to the surprise ending about periscopes! The book claims to cover every stinking submarine from the start to 1945, in extreme detail, and it does!