Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events, Volume 1: 1909-1945
“A detailed history of the development of these ships that professional officers, aviation enthusiasts, and historians alike can appreciate.”“The account of carrier operations during the Second World War is both thorough and sound; the narrative is enhanced by many new photographs, some of which are previously unpublished.”"It is an authoritative and admirable history. . . ."“ . . . a very well-written, comprehensive primer on the operational history of American carriers.”"This is a truly outstanding reference work. . . .this is a must-have book for those who want to know more about the development of naval aviation.""Aircraft Carriersoffers a definitive history of world aircraft carrier development and operations. Chapters analyze the first half of the 20th century and offer much in-depth analysis that is key to any serious military collection's holdings."“Much more than a simple update of the original book published by Doubleday in 1969, this long-awaited opus takes advantage of the nearly 40 intervening years to present new information and photos that were not previously available. Now planned as a two-volume set, of which this book is the first, Norman Polmar’s work will deservedly become the quintessential reference on carrier aviation. Polmar has kept many of the photos from the 1969 edition but has also added new ones. . . . This new book has some truly marvelous views that greatly complement the text. . . . Students of carrier aviation will find the new edition an indispensable addition to their libraries. Polmar’s penchant for scrupulous detail truly makes this large book—and no doubt the oncoming second volume—a major publishing event, especially considering the bargain price in today’s market. I eagerly await the second volume in this seminal set.”"A substantial revision and expansion . . . Polmar, a long-respected naval historian and consultant, includes extensive material on the development and (for the time) near-perfection of the sea-air combination during the 1920s and 1930s. . . . Polmar's account is fascinating and well written with the sure touch of an acknowledged authority. With its forthcoming second volume (much of which will be totally new given the long passage of time from the book's first edition), it will surely regain its premier place as the definitive and well-illustrated (photos, maps, diagrams) treatment of a fascinating naval merger of sea and sky.""About courageous and colourful mariners and aviators, as well as truly remarkable and in some cases bizarre ships and planes. . . . This book is an historical reference, a statistical compendium, full of interesting facts."COMMENTS ON THE FIRST EDITION OF AIRCRAFT CARRIERS"An excellent book.""A classic in aviation history.""I particularly like the idea of an updatedAircraft Carriers. My 1969 edition is nearly worn out.""Norman Polmar’sAircraft Carriershas been the bible about flattops and their operations for thirty-five years. I have no doubt that his ‘new testament’ will be received as enthusiastically as the ‘old,’ and will prove just as long-lived."ADVANCE PRAISE FORAIRCRAFT CARRIERS"Aircraft carriers, conceived nearly a century ago as floating airfields, have evolved into infinitely flexible pieces of mobile sovereign real estate available to project power offensively and defensively anywhere in the globe. . . . Norman Polmar has produced the unique and essential source book for naval persons and future policy makers who will be called upon to employ these platforms to ensure global security in the century ahead.""Using a judicious blend of primary and secondary sources, Polmar’s book provides a wealth of detail, from the first tentative flights from ships at anchor, to so-called seaplane carriers, and finally to the first true aircraft carriers in Britain, Japan, and the United States. The book brings together operational history, personalities, politics, planning, and strategy, all revolving around the technological development of the aircraft carrier. It serves as a reminder of the historical significance of the aircraft carrier and naval aviation, nearly a century old yet still an arbiter of war at sea and a means of power projection ashore.""Norman Polmar’sAircraft Carriersis the most authoritative study ever produced of the aircraft carrier, its aircraft, and those who flew from it. Meticulously researched, it is packed with information, technical data, and anecdotes depicting the historical events that highlighted the development of carrier aviation. Polmar deserves an A+ for this superb volume."