Submarines, The World Encyclopedia of

From Aristotle's description of a submersible chamber and experiments with an underwater capsule by Alexander the Great, inventors have pursued the dream of undersea travel. This fully illustrated book follows that dream, starting with examples of the earliest attempts to travel beneath the waves through to the very latest vessels at sea today. Beginning with a detailed history of the submarine, the book charts the events of more than 120 years of development, a period that saw global production for two World Wars and the threat posed by the Cold War, where opposing superpowers jostled for supremacy through the awesome capabilities of their armaments. The section concludes with an overview of modern nuclear-powered vessels, which are capable of circumnavigating the world 40 times without having to refuel, and which carry in a single boat more explosive power than all the bombs dropped during World War II combined. The second part of the book is a guide to over 150 submarines from around the world, providing an in-depth look at the sheer inventiveness and genius of the submarine builders. Specification panels for each submarine are included, detailing country of origin, length, displacement, speed, armaments, propulsion and complement. The book is illustrated with over 700 historical and modern photographs, and provides both enthusiasts and academics with key information about the world's submarines. It is an essential guide for anyone interested in naval history and warfare. An illustrated guide to over 150 submarines from around the world, including the Holland boats, Lusitania, Thetis, Torby, Seraph, Truculent, Thresher, Seawolf, Kursk and many more. Charts over a century of submarine development, from the earliest attempts to travel beneath the waves, two World Wars and the Cold War, through to the formidable machines in operation today. Specification boxes provide at-a-glance information about each submarine's country of origin, length, displacement, speed, armament, propulsion and complement. Features more than 700 historical and modern photographs illustrating each type of submarine, plus artworks of selected examples. Includes fascinating quotes from military leaders and a glossary explaining key naval terms and abbreviations.