H. T. Lenton (1924–2009)

Mr. Lenton is at his best in handbooks that cover a specific area, and allow enough space for short essays on the variances between ship classes. Thus, a specific book on Cruisers of the commonwealth Navies is easily within his comfort zone. Lenton comes to grips with a serious problem in British shipbuilding. There was limited funds between the wars, and a cruiser is a large ship that requires about three years to build and commission. Thus an extensive building plan requires accurate show more forecasting in an area where innovation is likely. The RN came out of WWI with a cruiser component geared towards battle in the constricted waters of the North Sea, and the Mediterranean. However, the requirements of the Empire were for a force of seventy ships capable protecting the shipping lanes from surface raiders as well as the destroyer killing function necessary for Jutland style battles. There were many roles, and only a limited budget. Lenton's book shows that the inventiveness of the naval architects resulted in a cruiser suite capable of meeting all demands laid upon it. show less

A good handbook by Mr. Lenton. While the United States Navy had the advantage of the world's largest shipbuilding community, the RN did not. This book outlines the efforts made by a country with fewer financial resources to build a submarine arm capable of offensive action in Northern and Mediterranean waters while having some capacity for more defensive action in the Far east and Pacific. Eventually, the small "U" and "V" classes held the ring in the North, the Med. and the Baltic, while show more the "S" and "T" classes were a force in Eastern waters. While not so well publicized as the USN's efforts, respectable results were obtained. The statistical format is acceptable, and four interior layout drawings, along with the photographs resulted in a useful volume. show less

Another useful handbook from Mr. Lenton. The American Navy had the backing of the world's largest ship-building industry, and the rejigging of their WWI navy was accomplished in a remarkably short time. While the Cruisers are only photographed, and the carriers get an endplate profile and deck plan, the battleships are profiled and deck planned reasonably well, especially the WWI rebuilds. A very useful book and the cheapest way of appreciating the size of the American Naval effort.

A relatively well written introduction leads to a set of high quality handbooks for the Kriegsmarine. There are good side views for Graf Zeppelin, and the "Z" plan BBs, BCs, Cruisers and destroyers. The statistical readouts are uniform and good enough for historical and wargaming purposes. though there are no deck plans, I found these volumes value for money..