THE BOOKS OF PETER C. SMITH
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H/B(1) 1977 (ISBN 0 718 0175 7). H/B(2)
A feast of information about the role played by the battleships and battle-cruisers of the Royal Navy in World War II. These ships were usually derided in post-war histories and documentaries as obsolete and not contributing much to the war at sea, with their losses continually highlighted as typical. This very detailed study highlights the true and complete story of the part played by these capital ships, which is very different indeed to that hitherto presented.
Deliberately drawing on previous published sources to highlight the inanities of many of the criticisms made of their role, this book for the first time presented the full story of the major part played by these great ships before they finally faded into history.
The Royal United Services Institute
Journal wrote of this book: "Mr Smith has set out to explode a
myth...has undoubtedly disproved any suggestion that battleships were idle or
ineffective, and in so doing he pays a long overdue tribute to those who fought
in these great ships." Skip Ruddertail stated on Amazon.com that:
"Peter Smith writes what is probably the best book available on the
British battleship, and by extension, the battleship in general. I pride myself
on my knowledge of British naval operations, but was surprised to learn a great
deal" Similar views were expressed in Russia, where the translation won
the National Literature Award, the Belyaev's Medal for the translator and where
the book was called, " the best book such kind." Reviewing the new
English-language edition Heather L Paris in the
American critic Larry B. Stern wrote that:- "This book is probably the best book on WWII Battleships I have read. I have several books (like a dozen) on WWII Battleships, and this was the most informative on British Battleships and why they were the way they were, and why they were used the way they were, as well as the changes that aviation changed their use and actions." Awarding the book 5 stars, he ended: "I highly recommend this book." Another American, student of World War II history, Rene L Barreda, said that he had just finished reading what he called an "outstanding book", adding, "..I regret having waited so long to read it. It would have saved me the trouble of reading other books". The History Gamer’s reviewer, B. Musler, stated-“ …Smith’s history of battleships….offers a broad perspective on the important role they played before actually being obsolete. This is NOT the product of a blinkered enthusiast; it is a well-reasoned and comprehensive account of the substantive impact BBs had on all manner of naval operations.” He also stated that the author, “…makes this point with genuine authority….”. He concluded that the book, “..deserves space on your bookshelf as a worthwhile survey that serves to redress the premature ‘white elephant’ school of thought.”