Warships of the World

by Gino Galuppini

Book Overview

Oversize hardcover with dust jacket; title written on bottom outside edge of pages; two small tears on dust jacket edge, back side (vs) This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812911296
• ISBN13: 9780812911299
• Release Date: September 1986
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 5.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Tons of Information and Diagrams on History of Warships

From Front Jacket: "This lavishly illustrated encyclopedia presents a history of the development of warships, from ancient times to the present--from the oar-powered ships of the Punic Wars to the nuclear-powered destroyers and submarines of today. Rear Admiral Gino Galuppini, former head of the Italian Navy's Historical Department and a member of the NATO Mediterranean Command, shows how the warship has evolved through a combination of technological advances and historical necessity. The text is supplemented by 544 color drawings and over 1,000 scale drawings in black-and-white. An extensive appendix, which includes charts, ground plans of each unit, and the relevant technical data, is also provided. The eleven chapters reveal the evolution of the fighting ships, encompassing Classical Antiquity, Oared Warships, Sailing Warships, the Age of Steam, Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, Cruisers, Torpedo Boats, Destroyers, and Frigates and Corvettes. We see how the ships of each age had characteristics specific to the time -- for instance, the Middle Ages placed its emphasis on the evolution of the naval battle and the oarsmen, while the 16th and 17th centuries saw the development of sailing ships, carracks, galleons, and brigantines. Galuppini shows how, with the advent of steam-powered ships, the tactics of naval warfare were altered, and how when ships were built of iron, their names were changed according to their use, with the terms battleship, aircraft carrier, and submarine the result. The latter are now the most powerfully armed of all vessels. The threat posed by their missiles, armed with nuclear warheads, has led to the development of craft specially equipped to seek them out and destroy them: cruisers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes. 'Warships of the World' is a fascinating introduction to the history of the class, an invaluable reference source, and a work of art."

Illustrations wonderful

Although not comprehensive as far as listing all subcategories in all the major categories, as far as warships, the incredibly beautiful illustrations (the most beautful i've seen) in the book make up for any shortcomings that it might have in any other area. Highly recommended.