audiobook Kaigun: Strategy; Tactics; and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy; 1887-1941 by David C. Evans; Mark R. Peattie in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic insight into the pre-WWII Imperial Japanese NavyBy ErinI love this book. It answered a number of questions I had about why the Japanese did things the way they did: such as ship design; holding back their battleships tactically and strategically; not cooperating with the Army; etc. In particular the long lasting effect that their victory at Tsushima had over their naval doctrine was very insightful and Evans and Peattie did a great job at showing how that constantly overshadowed their decisions leading up to WWII. It was also interesting to see how the IJN planned for war with the US and how that plan directly influenced their ship design and torpedo and aircraft focus. Again; it filled in a lot of missing gaps in my understanding of the Japanese navy. Lastly; this book makes it very apparent that the Japanese realistically had no chance of winning the war militarily; with regards to strategic resources like oil and naval building construction.I would say that this book is probably not for the average reader; but for anyone who loves naval history; especially that of the Pacific War; this book is fantastic. Despite containing a lot of dry information; the authors did a good job of keeping the text flowing and at times almost conversational (in a good way that keeps the text accessible and keeps you reading). I am very happy to own a copy of this book and definitely plan on reading it again soon.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent book about the prewar ideas of the Japanese navy.By Jonathan MattsonI loved this book; the depth and explanation they went into the Japanese navy's planning; ship building; and weapon building is amazing. The one thing that really stood out to me was when they referenced the shell designed. How they wanted their shells to be able to travel underwater for a hit if they missed short. Interesting concept where I have never heard of that before. Many more such tidbits are contained in this book.If you have any interest on the pacific naval war in world war two; this should be considered one of your must reads.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful clarifying masterpieceBy Carrosio RobertoThis book tells you the history of the Imperial Japanese Navy since her birth on 1887 until the beginning of WWII on 1941.It describes the evolution of the strategy; the tactics and the technologies of the Imperial Japanese Navy; from this book you will be able to understand how a small nation as Japan on 1894 and on 1904 has been able to defeat two huge empires as China and Russia and how Japan ; become an empire; has been able to throw himself into an unwinnable war against a huge coalition; failing completely to appreciate the real situation.Personally I was shocked to understand that until the real beginning of WWII on the Pacific Front; the Japanese Army considered the Soviet Union as the true enemy of the Japan and Siberia as the next target for the enlargement of the Japanese empire; while the Japanese Navy saw the South-East Asia as the "eldorado" for Japan.Here you will have a complete description of all the ships and weapon built and even the ones just planned but not built because of the Treaty of Washington.Wonderful; complete; absolutely clarifying.A masterpiece.