Product Description

Ten years have passed since the two-volume "Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1982" was published and in that time, profound changes have occurred in the make-up of the world's navies, and the aftermath of the break up of the Warsaw Pact represents an opportune time to revise the work and bring it up to date. Particularly relevant to the updating of this volume has been the release of new information which has come about as a result of: the break-up of the Warsaw Pact; the unification of Germany and the take-over of ex-East German ships; and over all navies there now hangs the question mark over their role in the post-Cold War era and the sceptre of defence cuts. A whole range of recent technical developments are chronicled including: the commissioning in the USSR of the first large-deck carriers; the arrival in Britain, Holland, Sweden and Japan of a new generation of high-tech conventional submarines; the revival of interest in close-in air and missile defences, and the adoption of stealth technology at sea. It covers the Gulf War which involved the biggest naval deployment since 1945. All these developments, and all associated launchings and commissionings are covered, and so bring this title up to date to make it a core reference book for all those who follow naval affairs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #728586 in Books
• Published on: 1995-12-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 672 pages

Customer Reviews

A later edition now covers the period 1947-1995.
This was the fourth and originally intended to be the final book in a series which, as the title suggests, lists all the worlds fighting ships built during the years in question. A later edition has extended this work to 1995. Nevertheless, as the title suggests, this tome lists all the worlds fighting ships built during the years in question. Beginning in the post-WW2 years at a time when the principle navies of the world were assessing and assimilating the many lessons learned and the new technological developed over the preceding time of conflict. From now on, the Aircraft Carrier would reign supreme and none more so than the mightiest of all which are found in the US Navy.

Conway Maritime Press are well known for their factual books on ships - especially warships, in which they provide the finest technical documentation. This is a large hard-backed book packed full of detailed and factual information. After a brief foreword and an explanation of abbreviations used, those countries of the world which possess a navy - however small, are then listed in strict alphabetical order. Each country then commences with an introduction to the naval situation surrounding that country. Ships are then displayed by "class" commencing with the largest capital ships and progressing all the way down to the smallest fast attack craft (or whatever) with the oldest vessels appearing first. In almost every case, for each class there is one or more of those profile line drawings which have become Conway's trademark. These are followed by all the usual technical details such as; Displacement, dimensions, machinery, armour, armament and complement followed by the names of each ship within that class - it's builder, date laid down, date completed and fate. They are accompanied by a very "readable" text from which we learn of the political intrigue of the day, variations between vessels, refits, new equipment, whatever defects or other problems that may have beset either the class or a specific ship and a short résumé of the fate of each vessel.

The book is well illustrated with an excellent selection of historic black and white original photographs throughout with at least one picture on almost every page.

In summary, this is an excellent technical work of reference and one which will continue to stand the test of time. Put another way, this is one of those books you will wish you had bought - after it becomes out of print.

NM

An excellent reference
All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995 is a very recommendable reference work on the naval units of the period covered. Because of the historical perspective it gives an insight into many stories about the ships covered that you would not find by going through the issues of Jane's from the same period.

It also contain an overview on the naval policies and a brief history of each of the countries represented. Depending on the size of the navy these chapters are more or less verboose.

The scope of the volume has been limited to actual combatant vessel, so usually no information is found about auxilliaries. That is a pity, but a fair enough priority. The book is quite large as it is. Perhaps Conway's Maritime would consider splitting the next edition e.g. 1947-82 and 1982-2004 and then adding the auxilliaries. Illustrations in colour could also be nice in a later edition.

All together: If you need a reference volume for the figthing ships of the postwar period I don't know a choice that would give you better value for your money.