Internationally acknowledged as the best one-volume reference to the world's naval and paranaval forces; this popular Naval Institute guide is both comprehensive and affordable. Updated biennially since 1976; it has come to be relied on for all-inclusive; accurate; and up-to-date data on the ships; navies; coast guards; and naval aviation arms of more than 180 countries and territories. Large fleets and small maritime forces get equally thorough treatment as evidenced in this new edition; which highlights major and even minor developments that could have an impact on the world scene. A thorough indexing of material and a logical ship-typing system make the book easy to use and allow for quick comparisons between fleets.The guide continues to present timely; authoritative information supported by more than four thousand illustrations from correspondents throughout the world. From giant aircraft carriers and ballistic missile submarines to tugboats and launches; the characteristics and capabilities of ships large and small are reliably recorded. Complete descriptions of naval aircraft; weapons; weapon systems; and sensors are also provided along with useful commentary on organization; personnel strengths; and bases.
#704353 in Books Naval Institute Press 2013-10-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.99 x .63 x 6.10l; .88 #File Name: 159114339X240 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Important; little known pre-WWII battleBy Thomas AdamsIn 1939 the Japanese army in Manchukuo attacked Soviet Mongolia. Over 3 months of escalating warfare; the Soviet Army soundly defeated the Japanese. The Soviet general in charge was Georgy Zhukov; and this victory gave him the combat experience he later used to defeat the Nazis on the Soviet western front. When the Japanese northern attack failed; they turned to attack the south; to grab resources in Southeast Asia; and brought the USA into the war. I believe that in 1945 the Japanese remembered how badly they had been beaten by the Soviet army. The Soviets defeated the Japanese Kwangtung army again; overrunning all of Manchuria and Northern Korea in just 3 days in August 1945. This was the event - not the A-bombs - that led to the final surrender of Japan. So it turns out the USSR won WWII by defeating both the Nazis and the Japanese; with some help from the "free world."I would have given more stars because the story is important. But the writing is windy and academic - the book was originally a PhD thesis. I got the Audiobook; and don't care for the somewhat pompous tone of the narrator.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Goldman's work on the battle of Khalkhin ...By Zarg 4041I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Goldman's work on the battle of Khalkhin Gol. He makes a strong case that the "most important battle of World War II that you probably never heard of" was indeed an important puzzle piece in understanding the events that swept the world into war in 1939. He focuses on the battle from the perspective of the great powers; USSR; Japan; Germany; England; etc. One disappointment for me was the almost total lack of consideration given to the Mongolian People's Republic (MPR) and the impact the battle had on internal developments of this Soviet satellite. The name of Choibalsan; the MPR's autocratic ruler; is only mentioned once; for example. Nevertheless; the Japanese threat on Mongolia's eastern borders was one of the reasons Moscow tightened its grip on the central Asian country. Flooding the country with Soviet troops enabled Stalin to carry out violent purges of Mongolian politicians; buddhist monks; and other dissidents that mirrored what was happening in the USSR. Often innocent Mongolians were tortured and executed on the dubious charge of spying for the Japanese. Prime minister Genden was ultimately arrested and shot in Moscow because; bucking Stalin's control; he had hinted at forming an alliance with the Japanese.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Fascinating ReadBy oldgrumpIn 2008 I was bitten by the WW II bug after watching the History Channel's excellent series Battle 360 USS Enterprise. I realized how little I knew about the war in the Pacific and ordered a couple of books from . And then some more; and more after that. Each book whetted my appetite for more. I have now ordered and read over one hundred books whose subject matter is the war in Asia and the Pacific between 1931 and 1945. Almost all were interesting and informative; and a few have stood out as exceptional. These I have now read twice. "Nomonhan; 1939" is the only one I have read three times. Goldman's thoroughly researched and tautly written description of this little-known but history-changing battle in the middle of nowhere in the days just before Hitler attacked Poland is spellbinding. His detailed descriptions of the geopolitical maneuverings of Russia; Germany; England; France; China; and Japan are fascinating and enlightening. Each nation has its own motivations and self interest in this dance macabre and I must admit I acquired an uneasy respect for Joseph Stalin. He was a ruthless dictator with no respect for human life; not even the lives of his own people; but he was politically and militarily savvy; and managed to avoid his greatest fear: a two front war - something none of the other major belligerents accomplished. In all the other books I've read Nomonhan is not mentioned or is only casually referenced. Goldman's book reveals this back story to the events leading up to the Nazi invasion of Poland and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. (He also points out the major contributions of Soviet spy Richard Sorge - which prompted me to further reading.) The author's speculations on the importance of this battle are intriguing. He presents a plausible scenario that; had this confrontation on the Manchurian-Mongolian border not happened; we might all be speaking German today. This is truly a fascinating book that gets my highest recommendation.
