USS Iowa (BB-61): The Story of "The Big Stick" from 1940 to the Present (Legends of Warfare: Naval, 2)

A very informative and insightful book about BB-61 "The Big Stick" USS Iowa from her design in 1938 to her restoration as a current museum memorial warship that opened to the public in July 7, 2012 at the Port of Los Angeles. She carried president Roosevelt and many high ranking members of the Armed Forces to the Cairo and Tehran conferences in which she was modified especially for the President by having a elevator and specialized living area and bathroom constructed for him and was later constructed back into the original design before going to the Pacific Ocean. She was deployed to the Atlantic Ocean as a deterrent against the German battleship Tirpitz. Only ship of her class to serve in the Atlantic Ocean. In January of 1944 she deployed to the Pacific Ocean and earned 9 battle stars and served as William "Bull" Halseys Flag ship in Tokyo Bay during the Japanese surrender in September of 1945. The Iowa class remained in and out of service up to the early 1990s when the government announced the retirement of its battleships due to the advancements in naval warfare that made it obsolete. A great addition to any military enthusiasts book collection If battleships are a big interest for you like they are for me, then this book is for you.

The book is neither as objective, nor as informative, as I had hoped. It reads almost like promotional literature that had been edited and approved by the U.S. Navy's public relations department. For example, it pretty much glosses over one of the U.S Navy's most painful incidents - the Iowa's infamous 1989 turret explosion, with its terrible loss of life and controversial investigation.On the positive side, the book provides a great collection of photographs documenting the ship's history, especially its construction. In summary, it is not the definitive work about the Iowa; but a worthwhile addition to a book collection on the history of U.S Navy warships.

I purchased this book cause I like books on Naval Ships both American and Foreign!! Though a small book it had information that a beginner would appreciate to see the illustrations and cations on these huge ships! These ships were the Policy Makers of the US in the Twentieth Century only to be replaced by the Aircraft Carriers during World War II! Not technical in writing but in General with illustrations for anyone to browse through!!

Offers an excellent collection of color and black-and-white photos of the name ship (BB-61) of the final class of American battleships. Captions are brief and to the point. The book helps to balance the published record which seems to emphasize MISSOURI and NEW JERSEY above their sisters. Well worth the price . . .

Served on the Iowa in the fifties found this book very interesting and very well done great book about this amazing ship

This was a gift for a veteran who served on this ship in WW2.He enjoyed it very much.

Great book and a great author

Gift

I am pleased to own the book and intend to buy the series.In the olden days the publisher often settled for poor English. This has stopped.I doffed a star because there are no plans of the ship.

Ein schönes und gut gestaltetes Buch mit zahlreichen Abbildungen. Die Erklärungen sind, wie es sich für einen Bildband gehört, kurz und prägnant gehalten. Das Buch führt den Leser von der Bauwerft bis zur Außerdienststellung des Schlachtschiffes IOWA. Soweit so gut, dafür vergebe ich drei Sterne.Leider ist die Auswahl der Bilder -schlicht und einfach- mißglückt. Die wirklich interessanten Bau- und Innenaufnahmen sind deutlich in der Minderzahl, während die Standard-Außenaufnahmen (Schlachtschiff in der Totalen im Küsenvorfeld) Seite um Seite füllen. Einige wundervolle Farbaufnahmen vom Einbau der Geschütze drängeln sich zu viert auf einer Seite. Schade. Die Bilder sind zum Teil stark überbelichtet und insgesamt zu klein. Das hätte der Autor oder der Verlag doch merken müssen. Ich werde diesen Band zurücksenden und nach einem großformatigen Werk Ausschau halten.

Dieser Band bietet viele zum Teil unbekannte Fotos mit kurzen Beschreibungen. Sehr nützlich für den Modellbauer...

キール据付から記念艦である現在まで、アイオワの生涯を綴った写真集です。紙質がよく写真もかなり鮮明なものが多数掲載されています。・建造途中の艦橋の下地がジンクロ処理されているのが解るカラー写真は　結構貴重なものだと思います。（カラー写真も100枚程度掲載）・乗員視点の写真は比較的少なく、全景を写したものが多く、　戦時行動中のものよりも停泊中のような「静」状態が多いです。・図面は無く記述要素もほとんどありませんが、その分写真キャプションが充実しています。以上の特長などを踏まえ、アイオワ単体での資料としてお勧めです。