Military Model Scene

Title: United States Navy Destroyers
Author: Michael Green
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-52675-854-5

Another book in the Images of War series from author Michael Green, and this time he has produced a fine overview of the story of US Navy destroyers, from the first Torpedo Boat Destroyer, the USS Bainbridge, which was laid down in 1899 all the way through to the latest futuristic looking USS Zumwalt class, all packed into this 208-page soft-cover book.
The book is divided into 5 chapters, starting with Early Developments, and moving on through Interwar Destroyers, Second World War Destroyers, Cold War Destroyers and finally Post-Cold War Destroyers. Each one starts with some pages of very informative text, outlining the different classes of vessel, their differences and the details of elements such as powerplants, radars and of course weaponry. Classes covered include the early Wickes and Clemson classes and on to the Fletcher and Gearing classes of WW2. Post-WW2 there are more, such as Gearing, Forrest Sherman and Arleigh Burke classes, leading up to the unusual looking Zumwalt class, of which problems have led to just three being built after an initial plan for 32.
The story takes us through a whole series of naval warships, and the changes in their armament over the years, changing to reflect the changes in technologies and the roles that these ships fulfil.
An interesting read, backed up with a very good collection of detailed images, all with more useful information held in their helpful captions.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for our review copy.

Robin