"Max Newhart has created an excellent overview of American Battleships. His work provides the reader with basic technical and historical information on each American Battleship from the Maine to the Montana- class. This work enables students of naval warfare to follow the advancements in Battleship construction by simply turning the pages in chronological order. If you are seeking detailed information on individual ships you will need to look elsewhere. However, if you have a general interest in naval ships and you want to improve your knowledge of American Battleships this is a terrific book."
"American
Battleships" (2001) is a well-researched and informative 110-page paperback.
This text, destined to become a classic for naval research, offers at least
one black and white photo and a list of vital statistics for every US
battleship from the late 19th century prototypes (USS Maine and
USS Texas), to BB-71 USS Louisiana (cancelled in 1943). Actually,
author Max Newhart explains, BB-64 USS Wisconsin is the final US
battlewagon launched (seven additional ships where commissioned but later
canceled due to Cold War expenses and constraints). Newhart begins the book
with an informative chapter about the battleship's construction history. He
explains that these floating cities grew in size with the commission of each
new battleship class (crew compliments grew from 380 in 1889 to 1943's
2700!). He speaks to the US Navy's battleship presence in every ocean and
every major port. He describes each World War II Reserve Fleet's composition
(naming each battleship in those groups). Of particular interest are the
latest battleships' post-war service across the globe (BB-62 USS New
Jersey served in the 1983 Beirut Crisis, BB-63 USS Missouri and
BB-64 USS Wisconsin saw action in 1991's Desert Storm). The best
portion of this book is each battleship's statistical explanation. Newhart
lists each ship's facts and figures (launch date, displacement tons, crew
compliment, gun calibers, construction costs, etc.) from naval records. This
data is fascinating. The main guns on these war ships went from 4-10' 35
calibers in 1889 to the 1980s 8-MK 143 Tomahawks and ABL's 40 MK! (These
powerful ships make one re-appreciate "shock and awe".) Is it any wonder
that history's mightiest navy has sailed under the Stars and Stripes?
The original photos show these big ships in harbor, at war, and after
battle. They alone are worth the cost of this book. Newhart's writing style
is easy and instructive. He will teach you about American battleships. This
is a remarkable book and recommended to everyone."
