British Battleships in WW2 by Raven

griffiths · Post by **griffiths** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:25 am

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if this book is worth getting as I have the chance on purchasing one for �80.
Thanks
Mark

Ship Model Gallery · Post by **MartinJQuinn** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:34 am

griffiths wrote:Hi,
Can anyone tell me if this book is worth getting as I have the chance on purchasing one for �80.
Thanks
Mark

IMO, yes, it's worth it. Great book with lots of great info, pictures and drawings.

That's just MY opinion, and I'm glad I picked one up when it was first published!

bengtsson · Post by **bengtsson** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:15 pm

Yes, for sure I would pay that price. Some are priced much.much higher. You will not be disappointed with the book and a reprint coming out any time soon seems very doubtful. Buy it before some beats you to it

Bob B.

linux · Post by **linux** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:01 pm

That book seems to have risen in value lately. A year or two ago it could be won on eBay for �60 or less, but today it's �100 or more. If your copy is in good condition then �80 seems a reasonable price. And if you don't like it you can always auction it!

RNfanDan · Post by **RNfanDan** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:11 pm

This is one of the top ten warship-related books ever printed. Unlike many lesser tomes, BBoWW2 retains virtually all of its original integrity and relevance today, decades after its original printing.

It has a "sibling" of similar stature---British Cruisers---and one can safely apply my statement to this book, as well...

�80 is a decent price, considering that some volumes are floating about the used book circuits for well-over USD $300.

linux · Post by **linux** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:37 am

RNfanDan wrote:Unlike many lesser tomes, BBoWW2 retains virtually all of its original integrity and relevance today, decades after its original printing.

Totally agreed. This perhaps explains why the subject has not been revisited since (though Burt's subsequent books did partially overlap).

I almost forgot, anybody wanting this book just for the drawings and photographs - or who can read German - can buy the German language edition new for 49 euros (�33):

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/3763762299

Why can the German language edition be reprinted while the English language edition evidently cannot? The world wonders.

griffiths · Post by **griffiths** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 1:35 pm

Hi
Thanks to all the members whom took the time to reply to my question.
I did purchase the book for �80 inc postage and it seems that I've made a good purchase.
Thanks
Mark Griffiths

Laurence Batchelor · Post by **Laurence Batchelor** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 2:36 pm

griffiths wrote:Hi,
Can anyone tell me if this book is worth getting as I have the chance on purchasing one for �80.
Thanks
Mark

Mark buy it!

To give both authors their respectful credit it was co-authored by Alan Raven (did lots of the drawings and appearance changes) & John Roberts (who wrote lots of the text), a perfect team

It's the most comprehensive study of British Battleships and Battlecruisers in WW2 ever undertaken. The format those 2 authors present their information in was (in the 70s) and still is refreshing.
It has many large multi-page fold-out plans of the ships in various wartime fits where official plans don't eixst and the authors have used documentary and photographic evidence to paint the canvass as it were.

It is filled with many data tables and large photographs and some excellent chapters in there making it the first 'port of call' for info on any british battleship & battlecruiser in ww2. It is also written in easy to read plain english not scientific techno-babble!

Even considering its age the qualities I've mentioned make it still the definitive work and why it has held up for 30 years and commands a high price.

I've tried to no avail so far to get it reprinted and I won't hold my breath! If anyone see's a well priced good condition copy, and you don't own it, buy it if you can afford it you will be overjoyed and use it for the rest of your life

Dave Martin · Post by **Dave Martin** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:47 pm

I dearly hope so!

I've just blown �100UK on a copy.

2nd printing edition.

Dave

Laurence Batchelor · Post by **Laurence Batchelor** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:53 pm

Dave Martin wrote:I dearly hope so!

I've just blown �100UK on a copy.

2nd printing edition.

Dave

�100 well spent then

Dave Martin · Post by **Dave Martin** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 5:03 pm

Now for the Cruisers of World War Two edition!

Is it any good?

PS - I hope so - just bought one at �81 inc p+p!

Hope she doesn't find out.......

Dave

Foeth · Post by **Foeth** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 5:20 pm

Money well spent! I paid slightly more, a fine for being impatient

Laurence Batchelor · Post by **Laurence Batchelor** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 5:32 pm

Dave Martin wrote:Now for the Cruisers of World War Two edition!

Is it any good?

PS - I hope so - just bought one at �81 inc p+p!

Hope she doesn't find out.......

Dave

Of course indespenseable, however there are as with anything some gaps, can't remember off the top of my head but I was looking up the AA fit of a particular cruiser in the appendex at the back and that particular ship was completelly omitted which was a major faux pas!

As with anything published new bits of information have come to light on some of the ships since the 1970s, but the work contained within is sound and holds up today in both of these excellent books.

Foeth · Post by **Foeth** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:50 am

Hmm, you mean a faux pas?

Laurence Batchelor · Post by **Laurence Batchelor** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 5:55 am

EJ Foeth wrote:Hmm, you mean a faux pas?

Indeed

Dave Martin · Post by **Dave Martin** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:09 pm

RE: 'British Cruisers Of World War Two' by Raven/Roberts.

Well, that's 3 times I've had the knock-back from so-called 'online bookseller's'.

Thought I'd struck lucky with Albris last night but had an email today informing me that the item had already been sold.

Then I found a copy on Amazon US. - Went through the motions only to get a 'Sorry - this item is not available for shipping outside the US'

So what's that all about?

Next came Biblio - online purchase, acknowledgement, then 'Sorry - this item has already been sold'.

Final one was SeaOcean Books. There it was for offer online - clicked the 'Buy now' button, entered all the required info - email 1/2 an hour ago - 'Sorry! This book was sold last year'.

Anyone else had the run-around from so-called 'International booksellers'?

Yours (Extremely fed-up!)

Dave

Laurence Batchelor · Post by **Laurence Batchelor** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:20 pm

Dave I've had it often, most booksellers which have such large stocks and catalogues list on multiple websites and always forget to delete listings that have already sold.

I assume this book was too pricey on abebooks then? Maybe hang fire and try eBay but search eBay Germany, France etc often the prices for these never get too high on those!

and they ship overseas usually

Dave Martin · Post by **Dave Martin** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:23 pm

There's one on Amazon UK at the moment for - wait for it - �244-odd!

Methinks they're taking the proverbial - or are flying an extremely optimistic kite........

Are the ebay.DE ones all in German though?

PS - Have just bought a copy of M J Whitely's Cruisers of World War Two - an international encyclopaedia for �8.83 inc p+p from UK ebay.

Is this one any good?.

Dave

Laurence Batchelor · Post by **Laurence Batchelor** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:45 pm

Dave Martin wrote:There's one on Amazon UK at the moment for - wait for it - �244-odd!

Methinks they're taking the proverbial - or are flying an extremely optimistic kite........

Are the ebay.DE ones all in German though?

PS - Have just bought a copy of M J Whitely's Cruisers of World War Two - an international encyclopaedia for �8.83 inc p+p from UK ebay.

Is this one any good?.

Dave

Yes its very good!

No as long as you can find eBay auctions which show pictures the newer German reprint version has a different dustcover and the seller should state if its the English or German version and the English version are from 1977 with the cruiser one 1980ish I think.

Buy John Roberts British Battlecruisers book also from Amazon Marketplace, I noticed a very cheap new edition on there a few days ago, something near �8 delivered!!!

Dave Martin · Post by **Dave Martin** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 5:00 pm

Had a quick nosey on the German site but no joy.

I did however find German Capital Ships of World War Two by
Whitley, M.J.

What is this one like?

Seems it covers 7 of the Kriegsmarine's principle vessels according to the accompanying blurb.

Dave

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British Battleships in WW2 by Raven

British Battleships in WW2 by Raven

Re: British Battleships in WW2 by Raven

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Re: British Battleships in WW2 by Raven