FLEETS OF WORLD WAR II, by Richard Worth. Cambridge, Mass.: Da Capo Press, 2002. 388 pp. $35.00. [Internet: www.dacapopress.com] A useful alphabetical reference packed with information about the fleets of more than 60 nations that were participants in World War II. In addition to the fleet lists, Worth adds commentary about the naval operations of each nation, expounding upon ship and fleet weaknesses, strengths, design flaws, and wartime roles, for example. With abbreviations, selected bibliography, index, and black-and-white photography throughout.
KRIEGSMARINE: The Illustrated History of the German Navy in WWII, edited by Robert Jackson. Osceola, Wis.: MBI Publishing Company, 2001. 176 pp. $24.95. [Internet: www.motorbooks.com] A pictorial record of the rebuilding of the German Navy after the Treaty of Versailles. Jackson's first chapter, "Rebirth," provides a look at the men responsible for creating the Kreigsmarine, a force that, although relatively small, came close to bringing Britain to its knees in World War II and almost succeeded in defeating the Allied convoy system with its "wolf-pack" tactics and brilliant use of U-boats. The following six chapters cover the different classes of ships employed by the Third Reich. With index, and over 250 photographs, most of them never before published. Jackson is the author of more than 80 other books.
HISTORY OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Strategy, Money, and the New Look, 1953-1956, by Richard M. Leighton. Washington, D.C.: Historical Office, Secretary of Defense, 2001. 808 pp. $74.00. [Internet: http://bookstore.gpo.gov/index.html] Volume III of this award-winning series examines the role of OSD, and of Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson, in the transformation of U.S. national security policy during the first Eisenhower administration. Thirty chapters cover the first three years of that transformation, focusing primarily on national strategy and the defense budget. Leighton explores the connections between money, politics, technology, and strategy and the relationships among the key players--Wilson; Eisenhower, who had commanding military knowledge and experience; the members of an often-divided Joint Chiefs of Staff; and a Congress that was becoming increasingly involved in national-security affairs. With list of abbreviations, notes, bibliography, index, two charts, 13 tables, and 16 pages of black-and-white photography.
SUN TZU AND THE ART OF MODERN WARFARE, by Mark McNeilly. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 2001. 316 pp. $27.50. [Internet: www.oup-usa.org] Military leaders through the ages have admired Sun Tzu's classic text. The original text, however, can be somewhat daunting to the modern reader. McNeilly uses historical examples to show how knowledge of and adherence to Tzu's famous "six principles"--Win Without Fighting; Avoid Strength, Attack Weakness; Deception and Foreknowledge; Speed and Preparation; Shaping the Enemy; and Character-based Leadership--would be helpful to today's military decision makers. A translation of Tzu's original text is provided, and includes cross-references to the quotes in McNeilly's own work. The end result makes the concepts in The Art of War easy both to understand and to apply to current military and geopolitical situations. With notes, a translation of the original, bibliography, and index.
THE BATTLESHIPS, by Ian Johnston and Rob McAuley. Osceola, Wis.: MBI Publishing Company, 2001. (Originally published in 2000 as a companion to the television series "The Battleships.") 192 pp. $29.95. [Internet: www.motorbooks.com] Johnston and McAuley examine the evolution of the battleship from canvas to steam, from timber to steel, and from muzzle-loading cannons to 18-inch guns to rocket launchers and missiles. The battleship was for decades the global symbol of supremacy but the evolving technological advancements in warfare that started in World War I put the role of the battleship itself under fire. The added advances in submarine warfare and airpower completed before World War II brought devastating losses to most of the world's battleship fleets. As a result, only the four U.S. Iowa-class battleships played a significant role in any of the wars in the latter part of the 20th century. With glossary, index, bibliography, and numerous illustrations throughout.
SAN DIEGO'S NAVY: An Illustrated History, by Bruce Linder. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 2001. 256 pp. $45.00. [Internet: www.NavalInstitute.org] In a mutual love story of sorts that started with the seizure of San Diego in the opening days of the Mexican War, the U.S. Navy has been part of the city's rich and vibrant maritime history for more than 150 years. San Diego witnessed both the birth of naval aviation and the "perfection" of aircraft carrier and destroyer tactics--a perfection that is still evolving, though Linder's well-researched text is an integral and particularly useful companion to the carefully selected photos in this illustrated history. With notes, bibliography, index, two appendixes, two maps, and 179 photographs.
SAIPAN: Oral Histories of the Pacific War, by Bruce M. Petty. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2002. 216 pp. $55.00. [Internet: www.mcfarlandpub.com] Petty gives the survivors of this particularly horrendous battle the opportunity to tell their stories in their own words in this book. The introduction provides a compact history of the Mariana Islands and other parts of Micronesia. In the first five chapters are the oral histories of the Pacific Islanders who witnessed and survived the battle. The second half of the book includes five chapters of oral histories of members from each branch of the U.S. military; the final chapter is devoted to their families at home. Even recent photographs of the famous but now forgotten island are grainy and of poor quality and therefore not as interesting as the author probably hoped. Petty spent five years in Saipan researching the book. With index, maps, and 96 photographs.
TWELVE HANDKERCHIEFS: The Global Journey of Alice Wood Bulkeley Through World War II and the Twentieth Century with an American Navy Hero, Joan Bulkeley Stade. Tucson, Ariz.: The Patrice Press, 2001. 170 pp. $25.00. [Internet: www.patricepress.com] Vice Admiral John Duncan Bulkeley was one of the nation's greatest World War II heroes. Behind the hero was his wife--a woman of perseverance and abiding faith. Drawing on extensive family archives, Stade presents the "other half" of the Bulkeley legend--her mother, Alice Wood Bulkeley. The 12 handkerchiefs of the title were a final gift to Alice from her father, Cecil Wood. Stade felt that their symbolism and her mother's story should be told. Her book is an easy read and a loving tribute to a dynamic woman who endured much and stood by her husband at all times, providing unfailing support. Alice Bulkeley will celebrate her 90th birthday later this year. With bibliography, index, four appendixes, and photographs throughout.
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