Fighting Ships 1850 -1950

Fighting Ships 1850-1950 presents a stunning collection of 150 large-scale paintings, drawings, photographs and ship plans that tell the story of naval warfare from the first iron and steam warships to the deadly U-boats of World War II.

Published in partnership with the National Maritime Museum, this new edition includes many updated images. The period's most significant naval engagements are depicted in striking detail - the bombardment of Sveaborg during the Crimean war, the attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as the evacuation of Dunkirk and the D-Day landings - revealing the glory and exhilaration of the last great age of marine warfare. Arranged chronologically, the ships illustrated include HMS Warrior, the first iron-hulled, heavily armoured warship; the battleship Aurora which ignited the Russian revolution; formidable German battle cruiser Bismarck; British aircraft carriers HMS Argus and Illustrious, and the Japanese Akagi, among many others.

This remarkable collection not only showcases updated images of some of the greatest naval artists of the period but also features powerful photographs, often taken by the sailors themselves. Each image is accompanied by Sam Willis's expert commentary, shedding light on the key naval conflicts of the era and the breathtaking complexity of the modern warship.