- Paperback: 128 pages
- Publisher: The History Press LTD; illustrated edition edition (1 Mar 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 075241755X
- ISBN-13: 978-0752417554
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 18.6 x 0.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,017,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The first submarines to be commissioned by the British Admiralty were five 'Holland' class boats in 1900. Arriving in 1901, they heralded a new age of naval warfare. However, due to naval rivalries and hierarchies and an institutional misinterpretation of submarine tactics and strategy, the British submarine service took a long time to grow. The First World War saw German success with U-Boat warfare but the British response was more inventive than effective - it included feasibility studies into the employment of sea lions and gulls to defeat the underwater menace. Full realisation of the submarine's fighting capabilities did not come until the Second World War. The advent of sonar, radar and the application of air power changed both the tools and tactics of war. In the post-war period submarines went 'nuclear' and played a pivotal role in the stratagems of the Cold War. This knowledgeable and passionate account of submarine history is complimented by nearly 200 illustrations, from the crude beginnings to the highly technological present, and will appeal to those interested in the tactics and politics of war as well as those with a specialist interest in the submarine.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
PETER LAWRENCE is a photographer and a journalist. He has also written British Built Submarines for The History Press. He lives in South Norwood, London
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As First Lord of the Admiralty (professional head of the Royal Navy), Jackie Fisher is universally accepted as being the father of the modern Royal Navy although, at the time, he had to drag everyone and anyone connected with modernisation kicking and screaming into the 20th Century.
In those days, Britain's navy was the largest in the world and the size was deliberately maintained at equivalent to the next two navies in the world so that if any two should join forces against Britain, her men and ships were equal to the task. The last major sea battle had been Trafalgar 200 year earlier where Nelson defeated the joint French and Spanish fleets. Perhaps more important, as far as this book is concerned, is the pace at which technology was advancing. With aircraft having yet to evolve, this was the era of the big battleship - many of which were being regarded as obsolete before they were even completed.
Such advances - especially in marine engines, begged for a new weapon of war and, although dismissed by many naval experts of the day, the submarine was to become that weapon. Famously dismissed as very un-British, it was Jackie Fisher who saw a limited potential for the submarine which led to 5 Holland class boats (submarines are boats not ships) entering service in 1901.
Whilst Germany went on to become the world expert as far as submarine technology, design and function were concerned, they only had limited success in WW1. Nevertheless, it was that which brought about a world-wide realisation as far as potential was concerned and, although eclipsed by Germany's successes of WW2, all major navies went on to adopt the weapon in time for WW2. Indeed, with a total of 62 boats entering service, the British `S' class submarine will forever remain the largest number of vessels of a single class ever to serve the Royal Navy.
Set out under 5 general chapter headings; Early Days, War, The Second World War, Turnham Green and Today and Tomorrow, this engaging work gives anyone with an interest in the overall subject a competent and readable appraisal of the history of the submarine - without becoming bogged down with the technical specifications and minor variations of specific craft.
This is the story of the submarine, written in an easy-to-read style supported by almost 200 fascinating historic photographs and is thoroughly recommended. My only criticism is a lack of index - something which always makes future research much easier.
NM
In those days, Britain's navy was the largest in the world and the size was deliberately maintained at equivalent to the next two navies in the world so that if any two should join forces against Britain, her men and ships were equal to the task. The last major sea battle had been Trafalgar 200 year earlier where Nelson defeated the joint French and Spanish fleets. Perhaps more important, as far as this book is concerned, is the pace at which technology was advancing. With aircraft having yet to evolve, this was the era of the big battleship - many of which were being regarded as obsolete before they were even completed.
Such advances - especially in marine engines, begged for a new weapon of war and, although dismissed by many naval experts of the day, the submarine was to become that weapon. Famously dismissed as very un-British, it was Jackie Fisher who saw a limited potential for the submarine which led to 5 Holland class boats (submarines are boats not ships) entering service in 1901.
Whilst Germany went on to become the world expert as far as submarine technology, design and function were concerned, they only had limited success in WW1. Nevertheless, it was that which brought about a world-wide realisation as far as potential was concerned and, although eclipsed by Germany's successes of WW2, all major navies went on to adopt the weapon in time for WW2. Indeed, with a total of 62 boats entering service, the British `S' class submarine will forever remain the largest number of vessels of a single class ever to serve the Royal Navy.
Set out under 5 general chapter headings; Early Days, War, The Second World War, Turnham Green and Today and Tomorrow, this engaging work gives anyone with an interest in the overall subject a competent and readable appraisal of the history of the submarine - without becoming bogged down with the technical specifications and minor variations of specific craft.
This is the story of the submarine, written in an easy-to-read style supported by almost 200 fascinating historic photographs and is thoroughly recommended. My only criticism is a lack of index - something which always makes future research much easier.
NM
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a very interesting read, not too detailed and worth the price.
Recommended.
Recommended.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Peter Lawrence is an historian, not of words, but of images. He collects and studies old photographs, postcards, and other popular images, and then weaves them into original works of unquestionable brilliance.
A century of submarines grew out of one such collection.
The history of the British submariner is in some ways a history that has never been told, largely because it has never been written down. There are few enough accounts of life on board a submarine in war or peace, and most of these have been written by officers. What about the ratings?
The view of life beneath the waves in most available histories is likely to be coloured by how close to the periscope you slept. Having read dozens of these undoubtedly fascinating accounts, I can safely say that I have yet to come across any text written by anyone below the rank of lieutenant. For this reason, there is always an air of officialdom in the available biographies and histories.
What's so refreshing about Lawrence's account of life below the waves is that it is, quite literally, a snapshot of much that is unofficial. As such, it is an essential read and, more importantly, an essential visual account of the first 100 years of submarines and the men who have served in them.
Read this book if you have any interest in naval history, social history, photographic history, picture postcards, pictorial accounts of war, or if you have any interest in how men interact in a close-knit and compact community.
Ray Taylor
A century of submarines grew out of one such collection.
The history of the British submariner is in some ways a history that has never been told, largely because it has never been written down. There are few enough accounts of life on board a submarine in war or peace, and most of these have been written by officers. What about the ratings?
The view of life beneath the waves in most available histories is likely to be coloured by how close to the periscope you slept. Having read dozens of these undoubtedly fascinating accounts, I can safely say that I have yet to come across any text written by anyone below the rank of lieutenant. For this reason, there is always an air of officialdom in the available biographies and histories.
What's so refreshing about Lawrence's account of life below the waves is that it is, quite literally, a snapshot of much that is unofficial. As such, it is an essential read and, more importantly, an essential visual account of the first 100 years of submarines and the men who have served in them.
Read this book if you have any interest in naval history, social history, photographic history, picture postcards, pictorial accounts of war, or if you have any interest in how men interact in a close-knit and compact community.
Ray Taylor
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