The French produced some of the most striking and innovatory interwar cruiser designs. A large amount of new information about these ships has become available over the past twenty years in France, but this book is the first to make this accessible to an English-speaking readership. Part I explains the design philosophy behind each of the classes built after 1922, and outlines the characteristics of each type, accompanied by detailed data tables and a comprehensive set of specially-drawn plans based on official documents, as well as carefully-selected photographs. Coverage includes the De Grasse, laid down in August 1939 and completed post-war as an AA cruiser, and also the heavy cruisers of the Saint Louis class intended to follow her, about which little has been published. Part II deals with the historical side, covering not only the eventful careers of these ships, but also explaining the peacetime organisation of the Marine Nationale, the complex politics of this turbulent period and their impact on the navy. Like its highly successful predecessor, French Battleships, this beautifully presented book subtly blends technical and historical analysis to produce what must become the standard reference work. AUTHOR: John Jordan is the Editor of the Warship annual and a lifelong student of French naval history. His previous book, French Battleships, was a critical and commercial success. Jean Moulin, his collaborator on this book, is a leading French authority on the ships of the Marine Nationale. SELLING POINT: ?The only comprehensive study of French cruisers in English ?Combines technical and historical coverage ?Heavily illustrated with photos and specially commissioned artwork 180 colour, b/w and line illustrations
