Customer Reviews:
As if it was just the gold that built the german empire.......2004-01-14
The book gives you the idea that if you can find a banker who can finance you, you can build an empire, regardless of who you are, and what type of a nation you have!!
A Poignant Portrait of an Embattled Financier and His Times.......2004-01-12
The first major work expounding on Bismarck's pecuniary relationship with the prominent Prussian banker Gerson von Bleichroder, Gold and Iron is truly a seminal study about the rise of the German nation. It splendidly explores the creation of the Prusso-Germanic empire through the lens of Bismarck, its architect, and Bleichroder, his Jewish financier.
Bleichroder became useful to Bismarck in many ways. He was embroiled in affaires d'Etat as well as Bismarck's affaires de famille. He managed the Chancellor's personal portfolio, helped finance wars against Denmark and Austria, and served as an intermediary for the massive indemnity levied against the French in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War. Bleichroder's remarkable and long-running relationship with the Rothschilds made his services doubly worthwhile to both Bismarck and Germany. However, Stern makes the poignant observation that while Bleichroder's success won him access to the corridors of power everywhere, his very success prevented him from being truly free. He became a kind of Tantalus, always seeking out recognition and confirmation of his accomplishments without really attaining what he was reaching for: a position at parity, if not becoming primus inter pares, vis-à-vis his peers and contemporaries.
Ponderous the book may be, but readers who are deeply interested in the political economy of Europe and in the crucial role played by embattled financiers in the rise of empires will be exceedingly enlightened--and entertained--by this monumental tome.
An Historical Masterpiece.......2002-01-25
Stern's magnificent work is one of the best pieces of historical research and writing of the last century. A strikingly original work, which transcends it specific topic, 'Gold & Iron' is a fascinating study of economics, politics and power and the relation between the three.
Required reading for any self-respecting student of history.
Good book, bad spelling in your entry.......1999-05-22
A classic work, as is usual from Stern. Unfortunately, the Amazon entry is garbled. Bismarck's banker's name was Bleichr[o with unlaut]der.
Very informative; a little repetitive.......1996-09-13
A tremendous research job, revealing a lot about the way the world really worked. Bismarck was a bad, bad
guy. My only complaint is that it got a little repetitive; editing out 10-15% of the text would make it much more readable.
Book Description
Treating Bismarck as a man of his time, the author surveys his political policy and actions as well as investigating the psychology of a man whose life and achievements continue to be a source of controversy.
Customer Reviews:
I love these types of books........2007-09-22
I really love books like this one. Now this book may not be the definitive, authoritative biography of Bismarck and it certainly leaves out some key points, but the book is only 288 pages. The book is not supposed to be the definitive work on Bismarck's life. I don't see how someone could pick up a book that is less than 300 pages and think that it will have everything they need to know about one of the greatest politicians the world has ever seen.
So why do I like this book enough to give it five stars? The book is very well written and Mr. Taylor has a nice style so the book is entertaining and easy to read. It is also filled with very good information and, for its size, the book does a very good job hitting the major highlights of a very important historical figure. I think the book does a fantastic job giving the reader a lot of information for the pages read.
I really like these short, well written books on history. They make reading about a topic that is outside one's course of study or interest accessible. The relative small size of the book means it isn't as intimidating as other works and hopefully gives the book a wider audience.
The main thing is know what you're buying here and you won't be disappointed. You cannot get a definitive biography of Bismarck into 300 pages or less, but you can get a really good book that is informative and fun to read. I really liked this book and I think others will enjoy it as well.
Bismarck , Europe and Politics in general.......2006-04-15
Bismarck may be read by high school students,housewives and educated men and women...A.J.P Taylor wrote to several audiences at once. So I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a well written book and wants learn about the facts of Bismarck's accomplishments. Furthermore "Bismarck" is a great example of what politicians do and say. The Difference between what constituents want to hear and what great politicians actually do. Examples are when British politicians make anti-Euro currency declarations in order to gain votes, while at the same time quietly adopting European integration measures. Conversely Italian politicians agreeing quickly to sound pro-European Integration,while all the while in practice stalling every European integration measure so as not to loose voters. This book is a great introduction into Parliamentary and extra parliamentary manoevuring,the basics on Right,Center,Left and the Grand coalition,or all party initiatives for US readers.
Summing up,Bismarck is a pre-requisite to understand European politics and history as well as great lessons in practical politics.
Great History Book.......2006-03-04
Entertaining to a fault, Taylor's book is more of a history book with a very Bismarck and German slant then a strict autobiography. It is an easy read and gives one a really good sense of what was going on at the time.
Bismarck as only Taylor can write him.......2006-02-25
Taylor's thesis is not meant to be an all inclusive telling of Bismarck's life from beginning to end; rather it highlights the most important events which made him famous, often notorious. As with The Second World War, Taylor takes a controversial stance in presenting his topic in order to disclaim the common misperceptions of Bismarck as a warmonger and tyrant bent on German dominance. By using reliable first-hand sources, Taylor shows how Bismarck often opted to go against popular opinion to assure peace in Europe. While this may sound entirely contradictory to contemporary historical record, Taylor does show how every goal set and made by Bismarck was ultimately to his advantage.
Taylor's Bismarck is a concise look at arguably the most influential statesman in Germany if not the world. No noticeable bias is present in Taylor's portrayal of Bismarck as he shows strength and weakness, success and failure in equal portions. While it is not all inclusive and is written for an audience with a certain level of prior knowledge of 19th Century German history, Bismarck is well composed, easy to follow and educational.
Great Statesman is Really Ordinary Guy.......2005-03-24
This is a remarkable book of history. I was surprised to find myself reading it from cover to cover. Usually I read a book like this for a while, read a mystery or adventure or science fiction, then read some more, but not this time. While I am not up on my German history and this book expects some knowledge to be had, it was still very interesting. At times you feel that the author is an apologist for Count Von Bismarck, but other times, you can see he is just giving a true to life account, warts and all. Count Bismarck may need someone to apologize for his excesses, because he would not do it, and because he was a very great man, who should be remembered for his greatness.
The politics of the day are a bit hard to understand for me (I just do not understand why certain wars are fought or not: why were the Balkans so important to Austria-Hungary? Was it defensive? Was it land and people power (income from the farms and woodlands, etc.)? Was it social, id est, families and clans fighting for each other?), but to read about the philosophical and personal interplay of Count Von Bismarck and the other heads of state, brings to life some of the challenges the politics of the day. It also brought to light the real start of the German Federation. No one ever taught me that Germany was not a country before because it was like the United States before the constitution was adopted, as opposed to France or England, who had royalty overseeing the whole of the country. It is no wonder it did not have colonies before 1860 or so.
Customer Reviews:
Bismarck the statesman!.......2006-12-15
Bismarck is one of the most dominant statesman in Europe and Eyck brings out his character in this short but good biography. While my one compliant is that a lot more time then I felt necessary was spent on his childhood years the rest of the book is great. He analyzes the political struggles and economic rises of Germany and gives compelling and well cited arguments for all of it. It is a little hard to read if you don't have knowledge of German history but it can be read without and still enjoyed. The prose is very good but a little dry in the beginning like most biographies.
Bismarck & The German Empire.......2006-08-08
Very excellent and timely service - the book was in the advertised condition and the delivery was timely - I am a satisfied customer.
Cheers PJA
The Master of Europe.......2006-03-05
This book on the great Prussian and later German Chancellor Bismarck by mr. Eyck, written in the 60's still holds the grasp of the imagination and facts to this day. This is important reading leading up to WWI because all the causes of that war can be seen by reading the history of the great Chancellor. Although that is of course touched on much later in the book it is worth noting that this book lays down very clearly that Bismarck valued the stability of Germany with a King over everything and would only wage war if it did not interfere with those facts.
This book starts out with the early life of Bismarck, his failures and later achivements. He credits his mother with his intelligence and his father only for his title as a Junker or Elite in German society. People trying to read European History have to read this book because Prussia WAS involved in everything in Europe after the revolutions of 1848. From becoming a unifided country, to competing for lands in Africa to finally the Kaiser wrestling control from Bismarck. That is how the book ends. But all the causes for the great war can be seen started in the Bismarck time period. The Franco-Prussian war, how it started and the final unification on Germany. The Austro-Prussian war and how it put Austria out of German affairs. Also it is interesting to read to Bismarck Manipualted every one he was in contact with, most easily the Kaiser at the time. Very interesting.
The Great War was inevitable I belive and the causes of it were mostly Economic. As Germany Unified they were threatening Britain as the leader in manufactured goods. They were cutting deeper and deeper into the British control of world trade. The Armamemnt race just was the subject that pushed everything forward. Lest not forget that before the U.S ruled in world dominance it was Britain who led the way for more than 200 years. Germany or the Kaiser's Germany made mistakes as well. Bismarck left a complicated system behind of treaties and alliances. The Kaiser chose to ignore them.
Bismarck was the leader of leaders and an Icon in Prussian and German Diplomacy. The one thing to understand is that one can't live forever and once a man dies most likely his work dies with him.
A perceptive view of a formidable man.......2001-11-07
Erich Eyck has written a history of the political career of Otto von Bismarck , explaining how Bismarck united the loose collection of weak German states during the mid 1800s by skillfully manipulating international relations and domestic politics. We see how Bismarck recklessly used his understanding of the desires and weaknesses of those around him. This perceptive understanding rarely failed Bismarck.
Erich Eyck tells only enough of Bismarck's early life to display his self confidence. Eyck tells how in his early life Bismarck declined to work in the Prussian government, because, as Bismarck explains, "The Prussian official is like a member in an orchestra, but I want play only the music which I myself like, or no music at all." Eventually Bismarck got the chance to play the music he wanted to play, even if no one else but the king wanted to hear it.
Bismarck became the preeminent individual in international politics. Bismarck was also the master of German domestic politics, manipulating the various parties for his own ends. Eventually no one in Europe would dare leave Bismarck out of their calculations. But Bismarck finally wore out his welcome when the times he had created changed and he did not change with them.
Bismarck had gaps in his understanding. Bismarck could not understand anything he could not control or manipulate. He could not understand economics. He could not understand that someone could act from purely altruistic reasons, what he called humanitarian rubbish.
Erich Eyck writing contains much shrewd analysis, although this makes his writing as labyrinthine as Bismarck's tactics.
Bismarck and the German Empire.......2001-07-25
Erich Eyck's Bismarck and the German Empire is a thorough analysis of German history that demonstrates how Bismarck emerged as the premier European statesman of his day and what that meant to German development. Eyck's book is not biographical, but rather shows how Bismarck permeated every aspect of German politics.. At times Eyck's writing is as complex as Bismarckian diplomacy, but the reader will find this an indispensable addition to understanding German history.
Eyck illustrates Bismarck's genius in working to unify Germany under Prussian leadership, but is not afraid to criticize Bismarck when warranted (he even uses a using biblical reference to chastise Bismarck at one point). Bismarck used alliances with Austria, France, Italy, and Russia at various times to further Prussian or German objectives, then subsequently dissolved many such alliances as Bismarck's ambitions changed. Eyck suggests that European history would have been vastly different had Bismarck pursued a similar alliance with Britain. But because Bismarck could never dominate British diplomats like he did those from the continent, such an alliance proved impossible. However, part of Bismarck's genius was knowing when to stop wars of aggression (Bismarck did not fight a war after he defeated France in 1871) and opt instead to pursue diplomatic channels.
Eyck works Bismarck's career to its natural conclusion when he came into conflict with the new emperor, Wilhelm II. The old chancellor is portrayed as having outlived his effectiveness and alienated most Germans in his attempts to retain power.
Eyck's writing style is at times cumbersome, but more importantly is the confusing editing. Many times foreign phrases are not translated, particularly lengthy sentences that are part of some important point. However, several short phrases are translated, even those that are quite self-explanatory. But Eyck remains a credible scholar proven by the fact that this volume is still in print in spite of the fact that it is nearly forty years old.
Book Description
Late in the morning of May 27th, 1941, the German battleship Bismarck was sunk by an overwhelming British armada in a fierce battle that lasted ninety minutes. Admiral Günther Lütjens, Captain Ernst Lindemann and 2,206 men of her crew were lost; only 115 survived.
Five days earlier, at 5:00 p.m. on May 22nd, an RAF reconnaissance plane flying low off the coast of Norway spotted four large warships in the sea below. At 32,000 tons apiece, the sight of the battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau was shocking enough; even more so was the sight of the 42,000-ton sister ships— the pride of the German navy—Bismarck and Tirpitz, ships shrouded in myth, awesome and mysterious behemoth's of destruction. Their purpose in these waters was obvious and chilling: the German navy was sending this powerful four- battleship task force to seize control of the North Atlantic sea lanes. What was at stake in the late spring of 1941 was nothing less than the survival of a free Britain. With almost all of Europe under Hitler's thumb, and the United States still frustratingly neutral, Britain alone was left to fight Germany. The only hope lay in the convoy route across the North Atlantic to the United States—the "arsenal of democracy"—and the promise of its vast industrial might and agricultural bounty. The fate of Britain and the United States—the fate of the free world—hung in the balance as the German flotilla made for the open seas. All knew that the destruction of the Bismarck would be a dramatic turning point in the war.
Noted historians Bercuson and Herwig have uncovered much new information on the Bismarck, including a close examination of the wreck itself, discovered on the ocean floor only in 1989. In addition, hitherto closed British and United States diplomatic files have been opened, revealing secret diplomatic maneuverings between Churchill and Roosevelt. This new information has allowed them to tell the full story of the Bismarck for the first time, from the key strategic decisions of the national leaders, to the gripping hour-by-hour account of the battle. This is history of the best sort, at once vivid and authoritative—the definitive account of one of the most dramatic and momentous events of the Second World War.
Customer Reviews:
Internally Inconsistant.......2007-01-28
I did not finish this book. Some paragraphs, such as about the radar equipment on the Bismarck, I read a couple of times before realizing that the problem was not my understanding, but contradictory statements in the writing.
The Sinking of Germany's Supership.......2004-03-01
In May, 1941, Germany unleashed a terror in the Atlantic; the battleship Bismarck. At over 50,000 tons and armed with 15 inch main guns, the Bismarck was the most powerful battleship afloat at the time. Germany's objective was to unleash the Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in the Atlantic through the Denmark Strait against the vulnerable British convoys making their way across the Atlantic. These convoys were usually guarded by destroyers and corvettes, which would be no match for the heavy guns of the German ships. The transports would be slaughtered.
Due to information received by Swedish spies, the British were alerted to the Germans' plans. Two British Spitfires were sent to fly over a Norwegian fijord to discover if the Bismarck was at anchor. Sure enough, the Spitfires spotted the German ships. However, the Germans were still able to proceed into the Atlantic while the British were left trying to decide how to deal with them.
The British had two cruisers stationed near the Denmark Strait, and they eventually made radar contact with the German ships. The British managed to shadow the German ships and maintain radar contact while alerting other British forces to the location of the Bismarck. Two British battleships, the Hood and Prince of Wales, set course for the Bismarck. The Hood was the pride of the British fleet. She had the same size guns as the Bismarck, but much thinner armor. The British captain made several errors which, in the end, would turn out to be fatal. Instead of allowing each ship to fight independently of one another, both were forced to move in conjunction together. This allowed the Germans to "cross the T", allowing full broadsides to bear on the British, while the British ships could only fire with their forward guns. The Germans' fire support radar was also superior to the British, and soon the Bismarck had the range. In under six minutes, the Bismarck destroyed the Hood and severely damaged the Prince of Wales. Only three men survived from the Hood.
The chase continued for several more days and several thousand miles of ocean, with the Germans losing the British, and the British finally finding the Germans again. Other units of the Royal Navy had been following the Bismarck, and finally were close enough to launch an air attack against her. The only planes the British had available were obsolete Swordfish torpedo bombers, but they bravely took off from the aircraft carrier Ark Royal to attack the Bismarck. The Bismarck put up an umbrella of anti-aircraft fire, but the Bismarck suffered a torpedo hit in her most vital area; her steering gear. Now only able to manuver in a circle, the Bismarck became easy prey for the other pursuing warships. The following day, the British battleships attacked, and soon the Bismarck was a flaming wreck. Torpedoes finally put an end to her, and she disappeared under the waves of the Atlantic.
This book gives a very good account of the Bismarck chase. From the description of the German commanders, Admiral Lutjens and Captain Lindemann as well as the British commanders Pound and Tovey, to the sinking itself, the reader is drawn in by the excitement of the hunt. Lindemann and Lutjens never got along. Lutjens was a strict by the book commander who very rarely shared any information with anyone, while Lindemann was well-liked by his crew and loved his ship and continually feuded with Lutjens, all the while saying he would not have his ship "shot out from under him". Indeed, it was Lutjens and his constant radio messages to the German command that enabled the British to find the Bismarck in the first place.
One aspect of the book that I found intriguing was the participation by the United States in the hunt for the Bismarck. I was unaware that an American coast guard cutter could have directed British torpedo planes toward the Bismarck.
The chase and sinking are presented in great hour-by-hour detail throughout the book, as well as secret manuverings between Churchill and Roosevelt. Read this book and discover the story about one of the dramatic turning points of World War II.
The Destruction of the BISMARCK.......2003-06-21
This book is disappointing. It has factual errors and tries to interjecta "subplot," as it were, of considerable American involvement in the BISMARCK operation. An American officer was flying a patrol plane that spotted BISMARCK, and the American Coast Guard cutter MODOC encounteredBISMARCK and pursuing British ships.Some "American involvement," huh?Let me sum up: If you know nothing at all about the BISMARCK operation, there's only two books you need to read: Battleship BISMARCK: A Survivor's Story by Mullenheim-Rechberg, and Pursuit: The Chase and Sinking of the Battleship BISMARCK by Ludovic Kennedy.
great book.......2003-04-11
I have just finished this book and it rates at least 4 star.
The book covers a lot of ground including personalities, and
interesting details such as activities of secondary ships.
It informed me of some of the naval strategies and history
which added to the experience. The authors style is very readable
and I finished it in short order.
Too much speculation........2003-02-19
Although good in parts, this book has numerous problems, the most annoying of which (for me) was the intrusion of speculation into what is supposed to be a historical work. The authors over-play the US involvement in the hunt for the Bismarck - yes, Churchill was trying to bring the US in to the war, yes, FDR was doing his best to help despite opposition at home, and this is an interesting area to explore, but the US involvement in this particular episode was negligible. The Bismarck (while being tailed by British warships) was overflown by US planes and spotted by one US coastguard vessel, but the authors present no evidence of active support or even of the sightings being reported, despite implying that the coast guard cutter directed a British torpedo bomber attack. Similarly, they spend a great deal of time discussing the presence of an old US battleship patroling the western Atlantic, ignoring the fact that at its closest it was 2100 miles away and took no part in the hunt. Their attempt to suggest that it was ordered to help in the search is undermined by their tacit admission that there is no evidence of any such order. I can only conclude that the authors added this material to try to attract US readers - something the story could do by itself if they had written a better book.
Book Description
In the turbulent history of modern Germany the name of Moltke has stood for military power and also enduring moral strength. In the Franco-Prussian War and then World Wars I and II, in each a Moltke was a key figure, culminating in the arrest and execution for conspiracy by the Gestapo of Count Helmuth James von Moltke, the great-great-nephew of Field Marshal von Moltke, who had defeated the Austrians, then besieged and conquered Paris in 1871, and made Germany the dominant power in Europe. The Field Marshal's nephew, Helmuth Johannes Ludwig von Moltke, was Chief of Staff of the German armies in 1914. With his armies on the Maine only twenty miles from Paris, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was removed from command. And Helmuth James, working for Admiral Wilhelm Canaris in German intelligence and leader of the underground resistance to Hitler, was arrested by the Gestapo and tried and executed for treason in the last months of the war. At every major crisis in more than a century of German history the von Moltke family has played a critical role. The history of the family is thus a way of perceiving and assessing the history of modem Germany. For the Germany of the von Moltkes was also the Germany of Bismarck and Hitler, Wagner and Strauss, Nietzsche, Mann, and Brecht. Friedrich's vivid and knowledgeable style makes this an absorbing historical chronicle full of characters and events on a broad canvas along with personal histories, anecdotes, and gossip within and without the corndors of power.
Customer Reviews:
Count Helmuth James Von Moltke the Martyr.......2007-02-07
This was an excellent book, easy to read but full of very good detail. The Franco-Prussian war was well done, and would make a good survey to move onto Michael Howard's book should one wish. The only flaw I noticed was that the Count seemed rather two dimensional. His early life was not described that well, and it was hard for me to get a handle on how he arrived at his opposition to the regime. But, highly recommended none the less!
Germany's interesting history as told through one family.......2005-09-06
It's a fascinating book that looks at one family's enormous impact on the history and psyche of Germany from the late 1800s through the WW II. Looking at three men from three generations of German (Prussian) nobles, you can trace the ascendency of Germany in the 1800s, its near domination of Europe during WW I, and then the seeds of its downfall during WW II.
I bought the book because I was moving to Germany and wanted to know more than the basic history known by most Americans. I found this book at Powells and read it with great enjoyment. The author, former Time's editor I believe, did an excellent job balancing details with the flow of the writing.
From Bismarck to Hitler the Von Moltke Family's Impact on German History.......2005-09-04
Book in wonderful condition, very rapid delivery
The field marshal, the 'nervous nephew,' and the martyr.......2002-03-01
In the relatively brief history of Germany as a unitary state (131 years old this year), few non-royal families have played as important a role as the von Moltke family. In a time when the 'sweeping family saga' is a popular fiction genre, the fact that this story isn't only true, but also extremely well written, should commend it to any reader with an interest in European history.
Of course, the von Moltke family's impact actually reaches back before the Reich into the history of Prussia. The first of three men Otto Friedrich focuses on, Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke (1800-1891), was Prussia's key military strategist during the Franco-Prussian War, and possibly Germany's greatest strategist ever, surpassing even his friend and mentor, Clausewitz. His nephew and namesake, General Helmuth von Moltke (1848-1916), on the other hand, was nervous, indecisive, and largely unable to deal with the responsibilities of command that came to him in part due to his famous name. The third Helmuth, Count Helmuth James von Moltke (1907-1945), was one of nature's noblemen. A liberal (in the European sense), he was actively involved in the opposition to Hitler and Nazism -- a fact that led to his execution shortly before the Reich's own collapse. The letters Helmuth James wrote from prison, to his wife most notably, but to others as well, are deeply moving, and filled with a Christian spirit that reminded me of St Paul's own epistles from prison.
Otto Friedrich is a tremendously skilled historian, and also an excellent writer. 'Blood and Iron' is well documented, logically presented, and also very readable. Plus, he's not afraid to share his opinions and interpretations, most particularly in 'A Note on Sources' following the close of the narrative. His insights there on other documents and histories are well worth reading. As, indeed, is this entire book. I recommend it very highly.
The Good, the Relatively Good and the Mediocre.......2001-09-25
A recurrent feature of Hollywood war movies of the sixties and seventies was the "good German" - the anti-hero (often played by a Max Schell type, though James Mason as Rommel was another attempt) who, despite his allegiance, was essentially humane. Subsequent literature (e.g. Hitler's Willing Executioners) has largely exploded the myth that the Reich was riddled with conscientious objectors. Nevertheless, some Germans truly were on the side of the angels, and among them Helmuth James von Molke, who met his end in the aftermath of the briefcase bombing, was especially heroic. The last third of this book is devoted to his underground campaign to overthrow Hitler and establish a peaceful model for the future. The first subject of the book is his great-uncle, Helmuth von Molke of the Prussian General Staff, who masterminded Prussia's triumph over Denmark and then victory in the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars of the 1860s and 1870s. Despite his association with Prussian militarism, old von Moltke was driven by a firm sense of personal ethics, and for all the pain associated with his wars, at least they were brief. The same cannot be said for his nephew, the hapless Helmuth Johannes von Moltke, appointed Chief of the German General Staff in the lead up to World War One. Faced with the challenge of updating the already-flawed Schlieffen Plan, he actually managed to make it worse, dooming Germany, France, Belgium and Britain to four years of trench warfare. The von Moltkes are modern Prussia's most remarkable clan, and in the concluding chapter we are treated to a "Where Are They Now" of its surviving members.
Customer Reviews:
A fine book....but not the best.......2007-10-11
The first book in the Anatomy Of The Ship series described HMS HOOD (published 1982), the British battlecruiser sunk in a brief, violent and spectacular battle with the German battleship BISMARCK. That first book set the standard for the series, and is one which the series rarely matched. Here, of course, we are comparing the excellent with the merely very good. HMS HOOD established the format for the series with a brief but detailed history, a few pages of the best available photographs printed in large size, and a magnificent set of almost one hundred pages of detailed drawings depicting every possible element of the ship. Along with the scale plans and profiles were numerous three-dimensional perspective drawings which aided the reader in relating the geometrical drawings and giving some idea of the machinery, weapons, equipment and living spaces. BISMARCK follows the same format,does it well, but falls short of the highest standard. The technical description is thorough and the photographs large and clear, although all frequently published in other books. The drawings are crisp, uncluttered and clear. Captions are good with occasional errors (a head/toilet named as a mess space, some cryptic names which give no sense of the location's use). There are no 3D drawings at all, which makes interpretation of the plans an analytical process without the helpful perspective drawings of HOOD and other books in the series. Crucially, the main cutaway side profile showing the ship's interior does not name the numerous decks whose plan drawings take up many of the following pages, making it again an analytical exercise to determine the locations of various internal spaces.
This book is a fine adjunct to a collection of titles on the great battleships and BISMARCK in particular. Read in conjuction with other books named in the bibliography it provides useful insight into the ship's structure and layout. It fails, however, to give the reader any real "feel" for the ship, how it was put together, how spaces and equipment were related in this complex three-dimension naval mechanism. Highly recommended, particularly for the modeller, however the definitive book on the BISMARCK has yet to be written.
The Battleship Bismarck.......2007-07-07
An excellent publication, as are all the books in the "Anatomy of the Ship " series, with excellent and clear drawings. These show not only the overall layout of each deck but details of the guns, general equipment and boats etc. An ideal reference for the model maker, illustrator or any marine historian. Text and photographs further enhance the presentation.
Present US publisher has maintained the fine standards of original UK publishers.
Bismarck's book.......2007-06-27
Well, firstly i wanna to say the books of this series Anatomy of Ship as always well made books.
About the book o f Bismarck is interesting to say wich the many drawings help to know about
internal arrangements of the ship. Many things i don't know what is are explained with the legends etc..
the drawings are good but in some cases i think the drawings have some failures(a personal view of a man wich work with drawings) but nothing to depreciate the book.
The texts are clear and the history of the ship overall all parts are excellent. Many, many drawings and a small scale plan can help to do a model of this Ship.
I have a lot of these books and i always purchased one new cause i know i don't loss money with these excellents books. i am ship modeller and always looking for good drawings to do a model or know about a ship. Five stars for me is a good note for this book.
Regards
Norberto
Detailed Photographs and Drawings of the Ship.......2005-11-01
Among the superlatives you can quote about the Bismark is that she (and her sister ship 'Tirpitz') was the largest and heaviest warships ever completed in Europe. And arguably, she had the shortest working life. Her one battle cruise is obviously the stuff of legends. The sinking of the 'Hood' in just a couple of salvos. In turn her getting hit by a torpedo in exactly the place where it would cripple her.
This book is one of the 'Anatomy' series by the Naval Institute Press. It has a fairly complete description of the ship. For instance, the three types of armour were classified as KC, Wh, and Ww. KC armour was made by Krupp, was face hardened armour steel containing 0.34% carbon, 3.78% nickel, 0.32% manganese, 0.2% molybdenum and 2.06% chrome.
Most of the book, however, is composed of drawings, hundreds of drawings showing every aspect of the ship. Even the inside of the books dust jacket is used for a large outline drawing. It's a beautiful book.
Customer Reviews:
More Information About an Old Friend.......2002-02-25
Maria Weller, as I knew her in Boston in the early 1970's, was a marvellous person who worked with me at Honeywell Information Systems. My wife and I became good friends of Maria's and saw her frequently both before and during her illness. We knew her two sons and her daughter.
Ruth-Alice Von Bismark, Maria's sister, came to visit us after Maria's death to find our more about Maria's life in Boston and about her Boston friends.
I found the book fascinating, both for the letters and for Ruth-Alice historical notes that helped me to better understand Maria and Dietrich Bonhoffer.
An Excellent Look into Devotion.......2002-01-29
I had a difficult time reading this book. It is quite time-consuming (because of it's unusual format) and emotionally difficult due to its content. However, I'm glad I've read this book. It gave me a wonderful insight into a couple's very devoted relationship even though they were separated very soon into their relationship. The way their story plays out is heart-wrenching and difficult to read. But because this was an actual relationship, it's very worth-while.
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Structural Dynamics in Aeronautical Engineering (Aiaa Education Series)
Maher N. Bismarck-Nasr
Manufacturer: AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics & Ast
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ASIN: 1563473232 |
Book Description
Structural Dynamics in Aeronautical Engineering is a comprehensive introduction to the modern methods of dynamic analysis of aeronautical structures. The text is particularly suitable for undergraduate students. For advanced students, the text provides numerous references on seminal work on structural dynamics that can be used for graduate level research.
The text represents carefully developed course materials, beginning with an introductory chapter on matrix algebra and methods for numerical computations, followed by a series of chapters discussing specific aeronautical applications. In this way, the student can be guided from the simple concept of a single-degree-of-freedom structural system to the more complex multidegree-of-freedom and continuous systems, including random vibrations, nonlinear systems, and aeroelastic phenomena. Among the various examples used in the text, the chapter on aeroelasticity of flight vehicles is particularly noteworthy with its clear presentation of the phenomena and its mathematical formulation for structural and aerodynamic loads.
Customer Reviews:
An Epic Battle, An Epic Search.......2004-07-25
On May 24, 1941, HMS Prince of Wales and the battlecruiser HMS Hood, pride of the British navy, intercepted the German battleship Bismarck and her escort in the Denmark Strait near Greenland. In just a few moments, Hood was blown up by shell fire from the Bismarck and the Prince of Wales was heavily damaged. Despite the wrenching loss of its flagship, the Royal Navy maintained its dogged pursuit of the Bismarck, fatally damaging and finally sinking her a few days later.
The chapters in Hood and Bismarck alternate between an historical description of the two ships and their battle and the assembly of a modern expedition to search for both of them. Bismarck had been located by Dr. Robert Ballard's team in 1989, but the location was kept secret; Hood remained lost in the cold waters of the North Atlantic.
The expedition lead by David Mearns successfully relocated the wreck of the Bismarck and then went on to find the shattered remains of the Hood. The description of how the wrecks were found makes very interesting reading, and the evidence gathered by the expedition offers some interesting perspectives on some old questions: why did the Hood explode and sink so quickly, and was the Bismarck scuttled by her crew or sunk by her opponents?
The book lacks the remarkable artist's conceptions of the "shipwreck as a whole" that are customary in Dr. Ballard's books (in particular, his "The Discovery of the Bismarck", published in 1990). On the whole, however, Hood and Bismarck is very well-researched and written and the analysis and crisp photographs make up for the missing "big picture" paintings. Moreover, the book successfully captures the very human dimension of the struggle between the Royal Navy and the Kriegsmarine--the very few survivors of the Hood and the Bismarck play a moving role in the search for these sunken ships and in the laying of memorial plaques on their remains. Highly recommended!
Book Description
This spectacular fifteen-volume series that charts the U.S. Naval operations during World War II with an insider's perspective. Morison, a Harvard professor, was given a special rank and writing post by FDR. He had active duty aboard eleven different ships, allowing him to witness many crucial battles in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Volume Six - the fourth in this history to deal with the naval action in the Pacific-describes the action that led to the colossal victory in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, in which twelve Japanese ships, over 3000 men and twenty to thirty planes were destroyed at a cost of only two American bombers and three fighters. Filled with many maps and file photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Naval and Military History of the Highest Quality.......2003-10-08
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For a multitude of reasons, this book can be considered the best of the 15 volumes in this series - and that's high praise considering the quality of research and writing throughout Morison's masterpiece. A prior reviewer stated a number of sound reasons why such an assessment should be accepted, and I will not reiterate them.
If the student of military history is interested in understanding why the war in the Pacific has been correctly described as having been fought "on a shoestring" in terms of men and materiel, however, no single text in my memory brings the subject home with greater eloquence, or provides such a wealth of depth and detail, than does this volume of Morison's.
Before the Pacific Fleet could roll across the watery eastern boundaries of the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere, and stand on the Japanese doorstep with Operation Downfall in train, the enemy's offensive operations had to be decisively broken. Here we see a superb and economical detailing of the ways in which limited resources were matched against strategic exigencies by commanders whose work can only be described as plain damned operational genius.
Here you will find the turning point of World War II in the Pacific. The battles of Coral Sea and Midway were wholly defensive in nature, as was the Guadalcanal campaign. It was only in the breaking of the Bismarks Barrier that the United States and our allies truly went over to the offensive, ensuring not only that Imperial Japan could not win the war but that the Empire's defeat was absolutely inevitable.
No one has yet done a better job of making this picture plain than has Morison's research and writing team, and here you will find the finest single example of their work.
The Island Hopping Campaign Begins.......2002-12-11
After the successful capture of Guadalcanal, the United States forces began to drive up the Solomon chain and into the Bismarcks. Rather than attacking each island individually, it became the policy of the United States to "hop" over some of the islands, thus leaving the defending Japanese to "wither on the vine". In effect, they were completely cut off from reinforcement and resupply. An excellent example of this tactic was employed against the great Japanese base at Rabaul. With over 100,000 Japanese troops defending the area, the Americans simply captured the islands surrounding Rabaul and strangled it to death.
This excellent work by Samuel Eliot Morison tells the heroic tale of the battles fought in and around the Bismarcks. Some of these battles included the battle of the Bismarck Sea, where the Japanese lost a dozen ships, thousands of men, and a large amount of aircraft, while the Americans lost only 5 planes. Admiral Yamamoto's last flight is told in vivid detail, and the other invasions are brought to life, as well. Interestingly, this campaign was fought largely without aircraft carriers. Destroyers, Cruisers, and PT boats helped win the day for the Americans.
As with other volumes in this series, this book contains helpful charts and maps to help the reader. I knew very little about this particular area of the Pacific campaign, but Morison's book opened a new chapter in the Pacific for me. I highly recommend this book. Its very helpful in describing the beginning of the long road toward Tokyo and final victory.
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