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The Navy Times Book of Submarines: A Political, Social, and Military History |  | Authors: Brayton Harris, Walter J. Boyne
Category: Book
List Price: $31.95
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Seller: planetbooksandmusic
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 3746173
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 398
Number Of Items: 1
Dimensions (in): 19 x 13 x 7
ASIN: B00007D03C
Publication Date: December 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Here is an engaging, informative, and sometimes startling history of the men and the machines that dared to go beneath the surface of the water to enter combat. In his careful reconstruction of events, Brayton Harris combines his extraordinary sense of humor with intensive research, to present a compelling history of the submarine, from conception, to gestation, to birth during World War I, to the genesis of the mighty nuclear submarine. In his excursion through the political, social, and military history of the submarine, Harris refutes many popular myths that grew out of eyewitness accounts and copies of copies-and sets the record straight with wit and insight. A fascinating exploration of the steps and stumbles during development, a rousing tribute to the heroes who fought and died, and a powerful study of the submarine's impact on America, The Navy Times Book of Submarines is an unparalleled source for understanding the great equalizer, the beguiling boat, that decided the outcome of World War I-and changed the face of warfare forever.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 Highly recommended look at political and social issues June 8, 1999
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
While much of any history of submarines will focus on things mechanical, this book goes much farther and more than justifies its sub-title, "A Political, Social and Military History." I was fascinated to see that the political and social aspects of military systems -- or strategies -- have not changed much over the four hundred or so years covered by this book. A comment on comments of "Reader from Rochester" who offered an unflattering review -- where Reader found "superior attitude," I found (and enjoyed) sardonic humour. Be that as it may, Reader ought to hire-out as a professional copy editor, because the irritating errors he spotted (i.e., typos) obviously slid by the publisher's fact-checkers and proofreaders. As for the 3"/50 caliber deck gun -- that's a designation used for naval guns, where "caliber" is the length of the barrel measured as a multiple of the diameter of the bore. Thus, in this instance, a 3" bore and a 150" tube. Obviously, the publisher's copy editor didn't understand this, either, and stuck a period in front of the 50.
A fascinating look at a very mis-understood subject. December 5, 1998
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I picked up this title to round out my collection--and discovered that it seems to have made some portions of "my collection" obsolete. Following Harris's lead, I could see where a lot of other authors, including several who are very well-known today, seem to have been copying each other without making any apparent effort to check their facts. Oh, there may be some errors in this book; I found one--the WWII USS Nautilus probably did not "give the coup de grace to the crippled Japanese carrier Soryu," although a lot of authors have also said so. Whatever--this is not only a "must have" for any serious student of naval warfare--but is actually an enjoyable read.
From Publisher's Weekly 11/10/97 March 29, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
.. . Harris's overview proves a useful guide to a mass of data and doctrine frequently forbidding to nonspecialists. The book's strongest feature is its narratives of German U-boat operations in the world wars. These emphasize the submarine's role as an economy-of-force weapon for lesser naval powers and the contingency of allied victory in both campaigns. Harris later develops the subject of preparedness more directly, assessing innovations recently made by the Russians and insisting that nuclear boats remain inherently superior to even the best modern diesel designs and should therefore be central to the U.S. Navy's procurement program. Elsewhere, Harris downplays the "official" point of view. This fact enhances his study as a counterpoint to Dan van der Vat's British-accented Stealth at Sea and as a useful, if unbalanced, popular introduction to the subject.
Excellent Overview of the History of the Submarine November 13, 1998
Aussie Reader (Canberra, Australia)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have read nearly every decent book you can get on U-boats and submarine warfare during WWI and WWII. This new book is one of the better books that offers you a more complete understanding of their historical background and role. Most people know about the U-boats and the terrible campaign they waged against Merchant shipping during both World Wars but who knows about the very early submarines, their sometimes unfortunate crews and their inventors. This was a great story and I was unsure if I would find the history behind the submarine as interesting as its role in naval warfare but I did. The author tells a great story that never gets boring and keeps you reading page after page with interesting bits of information and first hand accounts of those involved. I found this book easy to read and it was a joy to lay back and read a few pages each night.
Surprisingly interesting for a non-specialist. October 10, 1998
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I gave this book to my father -- a World War II Merchant Mariner, who came under frequent U-boat attack. But I read it first, and was amazed at the range and depth of the material. I learned more about submarine -- and anti-submarine -- warfare from this book than I ever had in 25 years as a naval officer! And, I must say, I enjoyed the journey. Captain Kathleen Kelley, USNR
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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