Title: The fighting ships of the Rising Sun :
Authors: Howarth, Stephen.
Date: 1983
Publisher: Atheneum,
Physical description: xii, 398 pages, 20 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 25 cm
Language: English
LC classification: V
Abstract: The Imperial Navy of Japan is the only world-class navy in history which had a definite beginning and an equally definite end, covering a span of nearly fifty-one years. Despite its brief life, the Imperial Navy rapidly achieved the status of the world's third greatest navy, and in its last years almost won an even higher position - but instead, in the final contest, lost everything -- [Pref.].
Contents: pt. 1. The darkness before dawn 1853-1894 -- A new precedent ... inconceivably disastrous to mankind -- pt. 2. The sun rising 1894-1905. 'Slow to learn ... but very sure' -- 'These bright dreams, these illusions' -- 'A great feeling of exhilaration' -- 'Allies, arms and intelligence' -- 'The national pleasure of building ships' -- 'Distant thunder ... death is near' -- 'A collection of stage properties' -- 'The day is fine, but the sea is high' -- pt. 3. Sun over the yard arm 1906-1920. 'Bellicose rumours' -- 'To hold its own against any enemy' -- 'Signal success' -- 'Two formidable new powers' -- pt. 4. Eclipse 1921-1946. 'Pacific intentions' -- 'Why should there be a war with Japan?' -- 'Different ideas of peace' -- 'Japan has never lost a war' -- 'Clouds over the sea' -- pt. 5. Zenith 1937-1942. 'Dangerous toys' -- 'Paddling against the rapids' -- 'I shall run wild' -- 'The proper application of overwhelming force' -- 'The Imperial Navy takes this territory' -- 'The enemy is unaware of our presence' -- pt. 6. The tropical twilight 1942-1945. 'These bright ministers of death' -- 'Change target!' -- 'Our chief objective is to kill the enemy' -- 'I have grave news' -- 'The fate of the Empire' -- 'This proud success' -- 'This ultimate assignment' -- 'The fiercest serpent' -- Epilogue : The four seas in brotherhood. 'Grim reflections ... ominous of change' -- 'Evening faces'.
Notes: "Published in Great Britain under the title: Morning glory"--T.p. verso. Includes index.
Subject headings (LCSH): Japan--History, Naval.; Japan. Kaigun--History.