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H.M.S. Warspite: The Story of a Famous Battleship
Originally published in 1957 by William Collins & Sons Ltd., this reprint of the story of a British WWII warship includes an introduction on the background of the ship and the author's education and career. Contains b&w photos, maps, and illustrations. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
- GenresMilitary History
319 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
22 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Wentworth Roskill
35 books6 followersCaptain Stephen Wentworth Roskill, CBE, DSC, FBA, DLitt, was a career officer in the Royal Navy, serving during the Second World War and, after his enforced medical retirement, served as the official historian of the Royal Navy from 1949 to 1960. He is now chiefly remembered as a prodigious author of books on British maritime history.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 25, 2024
I found this book quite interesting. Nominally, it's about the HMS Warspite, a battleship that served in both World War I and World War II.
The first third of the book, though, tells us the history of the six previous vessels that bore the name HMS Warspite, starting in 1596. The author doesn't attempt to tell the whole stories of the various wars the ship fought in, but does a creditable job summarizing the ship's actions.
The First World War is covered in about fifty pages. The centerpiece of this part of the book is the Battle of Jutland. I haven't studied WW I and knew nothing of this battle (other than the name and its importance) before reading this account. The battle is described from the viewpoint of the Warspite, so it's not a comprehensive telling of the engagement but it fits the nature of this book.
After a chapter covering the period between the wars, the book ends with the Warspite's World War II actions.
The author makes a couple of interesting and informative side trips that cover the organization of the RN at the time, as well as a virtual tour of the ship herself.
Includes photos, index, and notes but no bibliography.
The first third of the book, though, tells us the history of the six previous vessels that bore the name HMS Warspite, starting in 1596. The author doesn't attempt to tell the whole stories of the various wars the ship fought in, but does a creditable job summarizing the ship's actions.
The First World War is covered in about fifty pages. The centerpiece of this part of the book is the Battle of Jutland. I haven't studied WW I and knew nothing of this battle (other than the name and its importance) before reading this account. The battle is described from the viewpoint of the Warspite, so it's not a comprehensive telling of the engagement but it fits the nature of this book.
After a chapter covering the period between the wars, the book ends with the Warspite's World War II actions.
The author makes a couple of interesting and informative side trips that cover the organization of the RN at the time, as well as a virtual tour of the ship herself.
Includes photos, index, and notes but no bibliography.
Displaying 1 of 1 review