Sacred Vessels: The Cult of the Battleship and the Rise of the U.S. Navy
In this cautionary policy study of the battleship and its role in the development of the U.S. Navy, O'Connell ( Of Arms and Men: A History of War, Weapons, and Aggression , LJ 12/88)ok -KRAD provides a disturbing view of weapons technology and the human element. Although people and technology should be integrated, O'Connell says, when it comes to battleships they have simply coexisted, resulting in naval tactical underachievement. Moreover, he adds, battleships have failed the acid test of providing maximum "bang for the buck." Readers should also see Norman Friedman's U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History (Naval Inst. Pr., 1985)no LJ -KRAD for technical details of battleship development and one of the excellent individual ship histories such as Jonathan G. Utley's recently published An American Battleship at Peace and War: The U.S.S. "Tennessee" ( LJ 5/15/91) for details of battleship life. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries. (Photos, notes, and appendixes not seen.)-- Harold N. Boyer, Marple P.L., Broomall, Pa.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.