The Ship Model Forum

Jorit jogged my memory about this new book.

So I thought I'd post some info so you can all get buying, I say get it now while the price is low!

British Destroyers and Frigates: The Second World War and After

By Norman Friedman, A.D. Baker is the Illustrator.

It will be in 2 parts in total with Part 1 due out next month and that being 320 pages long.

Here's the Sypnosis, thank you Amazon!

Synopsis

"Very well known author with a real following. The most comprehensive design history yet of modern British surface warships. Full technical details, with much new information and insight; many plans and photographs Since the Second World War the old categories of destroyer and frigate have tended to merge, a process that this book traces back to the radically different 'Tribal' class destroyers of 1936. It deals with the development of all the modern destroyer classes that fought the war, looks at the emergency programmes that produced vast numbers of trade protection vessels - sloops, corvettes and frigates - then analyses the pressures that shaped the post-war fleet, and continued to dominate design down to recent years. Norman Friedman is renowned for his ability to explain the policy and strategy changes that drive design decisions, and his latest book lives up to this reputation. Not content to merely describe the many classes in full technical detail, he uses previously unpublished material from his research in many archives to draw a new and convincing picture of British naval policy over the previous half-century and more. This is a book that everyone with a more than passing interest in British warships will want to read, and nobody professionally involved with navies can afford to miss."

Well, this certainly is the collaberation of two "rock stars" of naval science.

Hopefully, Friedman will benefit from a better editor than the earlier USNI publications.

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If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.

-- "A Nation at Risk" (1983)

It just makes me shiver that we have to rely on a American physist to tell us about our own ships!

Though I suppose John Roberts is still working on his encyclopedia!

I'd LOVE to know what Part 2 contains....will it be a continuation of the post-war timeline of development, or will it be a "prequel", covering pre-war destroyers from Ambuscade, forward?

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Danny DON'T "waterline"...!

I spoke to the publishers today about this book they are expecting it to be released mid-June now, more delays!!!!

How much is the expected retail price ????

.

This is typical in the hardback industry. I have participated in books which were delayed more than a year from the original publication date.

On the other hand, they usually do not object to changes and additions to the materials in the intervening period, so the book can improve during the interval.

As to price, I would bet in the range of $US 70.

_________________
If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.

-- "A Nation at Risk" (1983)

Werner it was delayed form last year to April this year now delayed again!

The price I paid for my preorder was £32.80 inc VAT and free postage I see the vultures at Amazon have it down for £42.75!!!

My advice if your out of the UK buy the USNI version as Chatham's version from my experience will always be more expensive!

[quote="Lozza1981

My advice if your out of the UK buy the USNI version as Chatham's version from my experience will always be more expensive![/quote]

This is true. But I must say that often the USNI press does a rather poor job in reprinting British books. I mean the paper and photo reproduction is many times not as good as the edition printed in the UK. Now, I hate to say that, as I am a 40 year member of the USNI and own many of their books. A real good price for members too, but I often was less than pleased with the actual hard copy production. This can best be seen in alot of the WARSHIP volumes. UK edition compared to USNI edition. Cheaper paper and poorer photo reproduction. I often go for a UK book at the higher price myself.

Bob B.

This is true. But I must say that often the USNI press does a rather poor job in reprinting British books. I mean the paper and photo reproduction is many times not as good as the edition printed in the UK. Now, I hate to say that, as I am a 40 year member of the USNI and own many of their books. A real good price for members too, but I often was less than pleased with the actual hard copy production. This can best be seen in alot of the WARSHIP volumes. UK edition compared to USNI edition. Cheaper paper and poorer photo reproduction. I often go for a UK book at the higher price myself.

Bob B.[/quote]
I absolutely agree, Many books are rendered useless by the poor reproduction.

_________________
If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.

-- "A Nation at Risk" (1983)

Really well I stand corrected, you would think such a 'prestigous' publisher would take more care!

If reproduction and paper quality is poorer then of course buy Chatham's as the price difference won't be massive, in fact everyone buy the UK version, come on its the Queen's birthday, help the economy some more

Dan the only thing I know for sure was the last ship plans Friedman was studying at Woolwich Arsenal where those of River Class Frigates.

So its my opinion he will be doing Part 1 WW2 era and just after.

Then Part 2 continuing from there onwards, but we'll have to wait and see I suppose.

He's been working on it off and on since the early 90s so it better be good or else I shall write to my MP!

I've located a picture of the front cover:-




If he's going to show a type 23 on the front cover does this not suggest this is very much going to be focused post war???

wr comments please!

Aren't the three insets WW.II ships?

I bet as usual the authors had no input into jacket design.

(My favorite in this area is a collection of professional papers from a seminar covered with cutsie pictures and titled Dinosaur Eggs and Babies by the editor).

_________________
If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.

-- "A Nation at Risk" (1983)

Yeah they look like WW2 frigates to me certainly the top one but the 3rd maybe a destroyer.

Lets hope for plenty of plans!

So, will there still be a part 2, and what time period would it cover? I wish the coverage began earlier, rather than just starting with WWII. Hmm.

Best,
Ted

I'm told there will be Part 2 but it will just be post-war stuff.

The complete manuscript was split into 2 parts.

One assumes it will come out next year.

I think he's also included frigates with destroyers IMHO as a commercial decision as it means it will appeal (he thinks) to buyers in the States more as it will cover things like the Captains class frigates.

So, it appears we get yet another postwar-oriented tech book, leaving any decently in-depth A-I and Hunt class coverage mired in past-press, rare and collectible literature---if it appears on the market, at all (like English's book).

Oh well, I guess I should count myself lucky to have what I do in the way of interwar and prewar data, but I sure would like to see some of the older books reprinted---even if it comes from USNI.

Dan

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Danny DON'T "waterline"...!

No I didn't get anything on that, that's a new on me!!! Please enlighten me

A-I classes I've love to write a big fat beefy book of those 70 or so ships!

My apologies....got the books mixed-round when I posted this...I bought two books, the one on Somerville/Force H was published about a year ago.

The pre-order is a new aircraft carrier book due out in June/July, I pre-ordered with the Somerville book: Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events, Vol. 1, by Norman Polmar.

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Danny DON'T "waterline"...!