Book Description
The USS Ranger (CV-4) was the U.S. Navy’s first aircraft carrier to be built assuch from the keel up. The RANGER helped maintain the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration’s Good Neighbor Policy, served as a platform for the development of new methods for the operation of carriers and carrier aircraft, continued the Navy’s work in cold-weather flight operations, pioneered director-controlled antiaircraft fire, and trained many naval aviators. During World War II, the Ranger occupied center stage in Operation Torch (against the Vichy French positions in North Africa in 1942) and Operation Leader (against German shipping in 1943), which was the Navy’s only carrier operation above the Arctic Circle during the war. In both instances, the ship’s air group faced the requirement to hit legitimate military targets while minimizing civilian casualties, a problem the United States would confront again in later conflicts. Robert J. Cressman’s emphasis on the human element in both peace and war reinforces his observation that carriers, like people, have multifaceted personalities, represented by not only the ship and its company but also the air group for which it serves as a home.
Customer Reviews:
Almost there.......2007-01-24
While it fills a glaring hole in US carrier history, this book falls down on lack of detail on the ship itself. In the course of the text, things like hull strength and vulnerability to torpedo attacks are mentioned, no real detailed analysis is given of the ship as a design or how her shortcomings limited her to use in the Atlantic.
Sometimes the lack of detail screams. While much information on the planes and crew members participating in the Raid on Bodo is given, I could not find an actual list of what the airgroup accomplished? Were the ships hit actually sunk? What was the strategic response by the Germans?
Good naval books are either heavy on design and shipbuilding detail (Friedman's Design history books) or have a multiplicity of personal stories that flesh out an operational history (Musicant's history of the USS Washington). This book does neither- giving a rundown of air operations and, in my opinion, way too much detail on every little air op mishap that occured. Unfortunately we are unlikely to see another book on this unique ship, so the holes may stay unfilled.
Lots of information on the air group, not much on the ship.......2006-06-17
Ranger was the first large, fast fleet carrier built as such by any navy (as opposed to being converted from an existing hull), and the impressive thing is how much her designers got right, despite the limitations on her size because of funding.
Unfortunately, Mr. Cressman does not really address how Ranger compared to her peers - or at least the other "keel-up" designs - in the IJN (Ryujo and Soryu) and RN (Hermes and Ark Royal); the book is lacking because of it.
Robert Cressmanýs USS Ranger..........2004-01-19
...1934 - 1946 is simply superb. This impressive and sizeable volume devotes as much text to the USN's first purpose built carrier as Norman Friedman devotes to the entire class in his excellent design history, "U.S. Aircraft Carriers." By his own admission, Mr. Cressman has written what is, in large measure, an operational history of Ranger, her crew and her air department at some expense to a definition of the genesis and design of the ship. Otherwise, there must be little in the career of this extraordinarily active vessel which escapes the author's account. In addition, the book is supplemented with over 250 pictures which depict every stage of Ranger's carreer with equal emphasis upon man, machine and event.
The reader is provided with a virtual who's who and what's what of early USN aviation and the development of the US naval air arm in the 1930's. Cheerfully welcomed by planners, officers and pilots alike, Ranger was instrumental in defining and developing doctrine which provided a basis and broad outline for the operational employment of aircraft carriers and aircraft in the coming war. The reader will find a virtual travelogue of naval aviation and experimentation which is lively by comparison with drier recitations found in more conventional histories. Especially emphasized are the operations of the various airgroups and individual aircraft which flew from Ranger's deck.
Ranger's wartime employment is not overlooked by any means. She was quite profitably employed in the Atlantic where she found herself opposed by Vichy and German forces alike. It is a great testimony to her crew and her air groups that so much was accomplished in North Africa and Norway against an often resourceful and enterprising foe. While scarcely on the scale of Pacific operations, Ranger nevertheless acquitted herself well and Cressman's narrative is both exciting and informative. Especially interesting are the numerous photographs found in this section showing air-to-air and air-to-surface action. Cressman's efforts in supplying his book with well-rounded and fresh photography is a particularly encouraging development challenging future historians to similar efforts at providing the reader with something more than the same stale stable of photography.
As noted above, this is no design history but Mr. Cressman does reveal the very serious shortcomings of Ranger and why she was never transferred to combat in the Pacific. While many wonder why, and others speculate that she would have fared well against the Japanese, Cressman's account spares little concerning Ranger's weaknesses. In short, the hostile environment of the Pacific in 1942 would have presented a distinct and serious threat to Ranger. Among other points, Ranger was hampered by elevator characteristics, a weak flight deck, vulnerable gasoline storage, a lack of stability, poor sea handling qualities and weak construction. As Admiral Gerald Bogan pointed out in reference to planned modifications, Ranger would probably be lost to a single torpedo hit and would likely have broken in two following a torpedo hit amidships. This was, as Cressman writes, "...a fact of life..." for Ranger and known throughout the Navy. In this regard, it is amazing how superior the following USS Wasp was on virtually the same tonnage.
By 1944 Ranger was relegated to duty as a training carrier but again she acquitted herself well. Eventually she would record over 92,000 landings, an impressive amount and testimony to the needs of the fleet she served so well. But with the arrival of massive wartime construction and post war cutbacks it was inevitable that the old warrior would head for the breakers. And there her career ended. Yet Robert Cressman has ably brought Ranger and her achievements back to life. As with all of Mr. Cressman's works this book is highly recommended for those who enjoy an authoritative and entertaining read. By all means purchase this book, you will not regret it.
Book Description
Now you don't need to be a soldier to experience the thrill of the front in one of the toughest vehicles ever designed! Hunker down for adventure with The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles.
• This big, illustrated volume examines all of the significant tanks and armored vehicles of the world, from the very first tanks of World War One to modern combat engineer vehicles.
• Divided into three easy-to-use sections, you're sure to find the information you're looking for quickly. Select from World War One and World War Two, The Cold War, and The Modern Era.
• Each section is meticulously arranged by type: Tanks, armored vehicles, light vehicles, amphibious vehicles and half tracks.
• Roll across Europe in a relentless Panther! Defend the Iron Curtain in a Russian T-10! Conduct modern warfare in the Gulf from a tough Bradley M2!
• Also included are profiles of famous military transport like Tiger and Sherman Tanks, Rolls-Royce armored cars, and Scorpion recon tanks.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book on Tanks & Armored Vehicles.......2007-08-06
Excellent reference resources. Good pictures and discussion. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the development of armored vehicles.
Essential for Tank buffs.......2007-04-05
This is truly a complete encyclopedia of Tanks from WWI to the Present Day. I own the Christopher Foss encyclopedia (Nov. 2002) and this encyclopedia is a lot more updated than that volume. For example, there is a lot more information and more recent photographs on the latest Chinese MBT, the type 98 tank. This volume also describes the latest Merkava Mk 4 tank. The most recent Russian tank, the type 90 is given a lot fuller treatment.
What I enjoyed the most are the wonderful photographs / color plates and descriptions for each tank and AFV. Notable tanks are given a feature article, such as the Panther, the Sherman, the Centurion, the Challenger I, the Abrams Tank, etc. I really enjoyed some of the feature articles that described the combat performance of these notable tanks. For example, for both the British Challenger I and the Abrams tanks, there was a brief feature article about how each performed during the 1st Gulf War.
Besides covering tanks, this reference also describes the various armored personnel carriers, light tanks, motorized gun carriages, along with specialized vehicles.
It is truly a monumental work. Tank buffs and modelers will love this reference!
If you are a fanatic about the world wars............2007-02-07
My husband is infatuated with army tanks (and anything else related to)from WW I and WW II. There is not a week that goes by that he is not reading about the war or watching the Military Channel. If you have any interest in the war, this book is very informative and the photographs are very well preserved. Educational at best!
Over 300 tanks and vehicles are presented in a pairing of vintage and action photos.......2006-10-15
Two outstanding references are top picks, packing in pages of value for their price tags and providing a wide-ranging history. Chris Bishop edits ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TANKS & ARMORED FIGHTING VEHICLES FROM WW I TO THE PRESENT DAY (159223626X): an exhaustive reference that may appeal to general readers, but is a special pick for military collections. Over 300 tanks and vehicles are presented in a pairing of vintage and action photos and detailed drawings, with descriptions including extensive and in-depth service histories of specs and tanks.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Average customer rating:
- A good reference on the P-61 and other USAAF night fighters.
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Queen of the Midnight Skies: The Story of America's Air Force Night Fighters
Garry R. Pape , and
Ronald C. Harrison
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0887404154 |
Book Description
This new book chronicles not only the aptly named P-61 "Black Widow", but also the Douglas P-70 series, the P-38 night fighter variants, the Bristol Beaufighter, B-25s and the DeHavilland Mosquito - the proposed XA-26A and the P-39 nightfighters are also discussed. Historical accounts of American night fighter pilots, as well as the complets history of all night fighter squadrons formed during World War II are included, as is the development of radar and modern air defenses. This book is the product of over twenty years of study and research. Its sources include the National Archives, Northrop Aircraft archived, the U.S. Air Force Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and interviews with P-61 test pilots, designers and engineers. Garry Pape's previous works include books on the P-61 and the P-38 night-fighter versions. He is currently employed by Northrop, after years with Hughes and Lockheed, and lives in California. Brig. Gen. Ronald Harrison is an F-16 Wing Commander in the Air Force Reserves, and lives in Georgia as an attorney., over 700 b/w and color photographs, maps, 8 1/2" x 11", Squadron victory listing
Customer Reviews:
A good reference on the P-61 and other USAAF night fighters........1999-10-26
Here is a thorough history of American Army Air Force night fighters (the forerunners of all-weather fighters) in WW II. The book begins with a history of American airbone radar development, then moves on to the aircraft to carry the radar. The authors cover the "interim" night fighter aircraft: the P-70s (modified A-20s), the field modified P-38s and their combat usage. Night fighter concept aircraft are also discussed, including a little known Bell P-39 night fighter mockup and the Douglas XA-26A. It would have been interesting to know the performance (or anticipated performance) of this aircraft as it was a potential competitor of the P-61. Crew training is covered and it is amazing that with all the reorganization that went on anyone had time to fight a war. Lacking a suitable aircraft (while waiting for the P-61) the Americans attempted to arrange a reverse "lend-lease" program whereby the British provided Bristol Beaufighters (the Yanks hated the "Bristol Bastard"), and later DeHaviland Mosquitos. The British were good at making commitments to do this but rather poor in actually following through. The Northrop P-61 Black Widow (ostensibly the Queen of the title) was America's purpose built night fighter and its development and usage are well covered. This information alone would make the book worth the purchase price. An interesting point involving the P-61's combat usage is that RAF Mosquitos intercepted P-61s (a distinctive plane unlike any German aircraft the "Mossies" might be expecting) and fired on them, apparently on a number of occasions. There is no evidence of reverse mistakes from the American P-61s. Also included are a wealth of photos, unit statistics and ending the book is a comprehensive bibliography. This book makes an excellent companion to author Gary Pape's other book on the P-61 ("Northrop P-61 The Complete History and Combat Record") and is possibly the definitive work on USAAF night fighting aircraft and men.
Customer Reviews:
Social as opposed to battle history.......2000-08-10
An excellent picture of the Army between the World Wars. It offers an especially detailed view of the Army school system of the time. HIghly recommended for anyone interested in US Cavalry, or the military in the inter-war period.
Book Description
Wings of Honor is a compilation of all United States pilots, observers, gunners and mechanics who flew against the enemy in World War I. Covered are Americans who flew with the French and British air services, U.S. Navy aviators, the 103rd Pursuit Squardron, the 1st Balloon Group, the 1st Pursuit Group, the 1st Corps Observation Group, American bomber units, the 2nd Pursuit Squardron, the 3rd Pursuit Group, and all other units in which Americans flew. James J. Sloan is a founding member of the American Aviation Historical Society, as well as a charter member of the Society of World War I Aero Historians. He lives in Salinas, CA.
, over 350 b/w photos, 8 1\2 x 11", index
Book Description
Here is the most comprehensive, detailed and accurate story of these exotic aircraft ever written. It covers all manufacturers and their planes and provides important information on armament, flying units and more. Line iIlustrations in standard scales (1/48 and 1/72) make this a must purchase for modelers as well.
Customer Reviews:
Finest example of aviation hystory publication.......2007-02-03
Excellent book. Comprehensive research, good photographs and scale drawings, exhaustive list of Austro-Hungarian aircraft designed, produced and flown during the First World War. Authors decided to remove colour profiles from the second edition on the basis on doubts about colour interpretation. Nevertheless, this book is amongst the finest examples of aviation history publications.
The Anatomy of Failure.......2005-05-21
Why buy an expensive book about the air force of a country that doesn't exist anymore and was already in a state of terminal decline when the Wright Brothers first flew? For one thing, the Dual Monarchy produced a surprising number of airplane designs with interesting technical quirks (like a V-12 engine mounted sideways and driving outboard propellers from both ends of the crankshaft). For another, it had several brilliant minds in its technical branch (like von Karman who later created the Jet Propulsion Lab).
But as a student of technical and managerial failure in aerospace, I found the most interesting parts of this book to be the discussions of the disastrous mistakes that the Habsburg bureaucrats made in design and production of aircraft. Just about any mistake that could be made was made, sometimes several times -- and in the space of only about 8 years.
Politicalization of procurement decisions. Incompetent design by Herr Doctorprofessors obsessed with numerical theory. Shoddy workmanship by conscripted peasants. Blind conservatism of an entrenched aristocracy. Monopoly capitalists organizing a secret cartel. Ethnic quotas in the allocation of contracts and scarce materials. This book is practically a text on how to wreck a whole industry and loose a war. Everybody at NASA should read it.
Customer Reviews:
Bottom line: It's the only game in town!.......2006-09-24
I got this massive work at a used book store. I traded practically an SUV full of books for credit and this is what I got. Why should you care about that fact? The reason I explain this is because this is pretty much the only way I ever would have wound up with a copy. The book is like a lot of Schiffer books; ongodly expensive.
Now, that being said, there is next to nothing on the US Army in WW1. There was a small collector's guide in the 80s, and now this. I don't think anyone's even tried a book like this before, and for that alone, I highly praise the author for taking it on.
I do, however, have issues with it. The author makes some pretty poor statements, showing some very bad research (such as the modern Army only issuing dress blue uniforms to "specialty" troops. It will soon be the ONLY dress uniform the Army has, for everyone). Once he gets into his topic, though, I found very few errors.
He does an admirable job of going through other people's collections to get photos of surviving items. Good job, there. But the quality of photography is extremely poor in many cases, and I'd guess he took some of the photos with his "point and click" camera. The flash photography is THAT bad in some places.
And I find it very odd that many of the "re-enacting" shots (and there are a great deal of these) aren't marked as such. But I'd guess anyone buying this book would know those photos aren't original. I must ask one thing of anyone thinking of writing such a book of their own:
PLEASE, for the love of all that is holy, don't put yourself in photos in your own book!
There are a curious number of lapses in some items. Not an original "trench" shotgun is shown in the book? C'mon, he can find over a dozen original boots, but not an original WW1 trench shotgun? I know several collectors (myself included) who have them in their gun safes!
I must give the author credit also for leaving out the exceptions for the most part. Far too often, people want to include the "cool" stuff that ha sno bearing on the topic. The author here pretty much avoids that trap.
In the end, I want it known that I did not feel cheated by getting this work. The author did a fine (yet mildly self-serving) job. For me the bottom line is this; Can I find a better work than this? NO, I can't. For that reason, and that reason chiefly, I now have it in my bookshelf.
If you're really into WW1 American stuff, you should have this right beside Canfield's book on WW1 weapons.
Book Description
Have globalization, virulent ethnic differences, and globally operating insurgents fundamentally changed the nature of war in the last decades? Interpretations of war as driven by politics and state rationale, formulated most importantly by the nineteenth century practitioner Carl von Clausewitz, have received strong criticism. Political explanations have been said to fall short in explaining conflicts in the Balkans, Africa, Asia and the attacks of 11 September 2001 in the United States.
This book aims to re-evaluate these criticisms by not only carefully scrutinizing Clausewitz's arguments and their applicability, but also by a careful reading of the criticism itself. In doing so, the contributions on this book present empirical evidence on the basis of several case studies, addressing various aspects of modern war, such as the actors, conduct and purposes of war.
The book concludes that while the debate on the nature of war has far from run its course, the interpretation of war as postulatedby Clausewitz is not as inapplicable as some have claimed. Furthermore, the label a war receives, such as civil war, does not necessarily say much about the way this war is fought. Civil wars are not always irregular or unconventional wars. Changes in the conduct of war have unmistakably occurred but change should not overshadow the important continuities that exist in the nature of war and warfare.
Customer Reviews:
Profound Thinking for the New Century.......2005-04-08
There have been numerous attempts to analyze war and the reasons for war. Clausewitz's On War, and Sun Tzu's Art of War are just two of the best known examples.
These books generally cover how and why countries go to war. They are not much help in make more sense of things like ethnic clensing in the Balkans, another genocide in Rwanda, or the 9/11 attacks. Another fundamental shift is the moving of wars away from the major powers to the developing world.
The conclusions reached by a wide selection of researchers and professors of international relations, military theory are mixed. It rather depends on how you intrepret On War, not the easiest book to read. But in any case this book provides some profound thinking on the nature of war at the beginning of the new century. All but two of the contributors are based in Europe. This brings an additional international aspect to the writing.
Book Description
A chronological account of both sides of the fighting, resulting in an over-view of events in the air in World War I. The account deals not just with the deaths, but also with the missing, the wounded, the POWs, and with aces both great and small.
Customer Reviews:
The Good with the Bad.......2001-11-11
I decided against giving the book 4 stars because, while it represents a worthy achievement, it also has its warts.
Consisting entirely of tabular data, the book lists every attack claim and places it alongside the actual results--plenty of ore you'll be mining for a long time.
On the downside, a half-hearted translation leaves a platoon of opaque abbreviations--"le" for Latvian, "-DP" for passenger liner, etc--so be prepared to memorize the German shorthand.
A book of this nature should be more eager to stay open when you lay it flat on your desk to compare with your notes.
The author at times is overly dogmatic in cases of conflicting claims. On the flip side, the sparse textual content occasionally leaves matters unclear.
I am glad I made the purchase, but I suggest you do as I did--wait for a sale.
RAW DATA.......2001-09-11
I passed up this book in a 75% off bin in Ottawa recently.
At first I was very enthused,but when I saw the contents I passed. The book reads like a computer data printout.
The book may be for you if its your 25th WW2 sub book.
Bursting with data.......2000-07-15
This is a data-book, pure and simple. It contains details of each attack made by Allied submarines in the ETO (as the title suggests).
Information on each attack is: Date and time of attack (reported by submarine and target); Nationality of attacking submarine; Number or name of attacking submarine; Name of commanding officer of submarine; target type (as reported by the submarine, and actual); Tonnage of target (reported and actual); Result of the attack (reported and actual); Weapon used in attack; Position of attack (as reported by submarine and target); Nationality of attacked ship; Name of attacked ship.
There are also short notes on many of the attacks, expanding on the raw data.
The chapters are divided in to region (Arctic, Black Sea etc), and an index is provided of all submarines, commanding officers and attacked ships.
This book is a must-have for those interested in the raw data. If you're after a narrative then this book is certainly not for you.
apolitical point of rferement.......2000-04-09
This book, writed by a famous historian, is indicated at the people that are interested in date and number historical referement If you are a researcher of world war 2, this book is for you
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