MichelB wrote:
Try Robert K. Massie's 'Dreadnought'. It's quite political about the naval race between Germany and England, but gives a good account of important developments in the field (or on the waves, in this case). His other work 'Castles of Steel' is recommended as well, but deals more with WWI itself.
Picking up a cheap copy of Jane's Warships of World War I also helps as a general reference. (most ships of WWI were built between 1890 and 1914 of course).
I agree about Massie's two books.
For the lead up to WWI they are wonderful books.
For a very in depth look at the Royal Navy and it's naval programs as they related to foreign navie's warship programs in the 1880 to 1905 period ,Arthur Marder's book "The Anatomy of British Sea Power". 'A History of British Naval Policy in the Pre-Dreadnought Era 1880 - 1905' is by far the best. It talks much about building programs of all the major powers but is focused most on the RN. Sad to say the book was last published in 1972 with the first printing in 1940. It is pretty expensive to get a copy. but if a library exchange program turns one up, try to borrow it for a good read.
Bob B.
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