For 100 years; between 1850 and 1950; the cargo liner grew to dominate the world’s trade routes; providing regular services that merchants; shippers and importers could rely on; they carried much of the world’s higher value manufactured goods and raw materials and their services spread to most corners of the world. They were the tool of the world’s first phase of globalization.This new book; evocatively illustrated with a magnificent collection of more than 300 photographs; begins with the establishment of routes around Europe and across the North Atlantic in the 1850s. Not until the Liverpool ship owner and engineer; Alfred Holt; developed high-pressure compound engines were coal-powered vessels able to steam further afield; to the Far East and Australia. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cemented the dominance of the cargo liner and only with the appearance of the first container ship in the 1950s was that dominance finally overthrown.With its informative introductory texts and abundant photographs; this book will appeal to ship enthusiasts around the world and to all those who mourn the passing of the golden age of the steamship.
#1146248 in Books 2010-03-23 2010-03-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.89 x .1 x 7.20l; .58 #File Name: 184603943680 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Lightning was superior; flown by better pilots with better tactics.By Stone DogIn this Osprey "Duel" title; author Donald Nijboer gives us a very good comparison of the American P-38 Lightning and the Japanese Ki-61 codenamed "Tony" by the allies. As any book in the Duel series; it is lavishly illustrated and has excellent period photos.The book itself is a very attractive package with color plates representing the aircraft from various angles; in action shots as well as views of each respective cockpit. Excellent period photos are sprinkled through the book. The text covers each aircraft's development; technical specifications and introduction to service. The Lightning was a big; fast; powerful aircraft that; because of the turbo superchargers on each engine; could fly higher than any opponent. But; as a big aircraft; it wasn't very maneuverable. The "Tony" was a Japanese aircraft heavily influenced by German engine and aircraft design that included an in-line engine; armor; self-sealing fuel tanks and heavy cannon armament. But; even with these advantages; it had short range and since it was a new aircraft was mechanically unreliable.More than that; the author delves into the pilot training; tactics; lessons learned and logistics systems. There are a lot of first-person accounts - something I like to read. Pilots give the reader a rare view of how they flew their aircraft and worked with their fellows. As a matter of fact; the Americans developed much better "teamwork" while the Japanese were essentially all on their own; fighting personal duels - this is something Saburo Sakai; Japanese naval aviator; admits in his book Samurai!. The author also takes on the logistics side; noting that the Japanese couldn't repair their aircraft in the field and the HI-61's had to be flown back to Rabaul or Manilla for extensive repairs.If the book has a flaw; it is that author Donald Nijboer doesn't have as much in the way of first-person accounts and examples of tactics used by the Japanese as for the Americans. I have to defend the author to an extent simply because; as the author points out; so few "Tony" pilots or their accounts survived the war. There's simply not the same amount of material to draw from.Despite this flaw; "P-38 Lightning vs Ki-61 Tony: New Guinea 1943-1944" is a very good addition to the Osprey "Duel" series. I recommend it to those interested with four stars.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. P-38 Lightning VERSUS Ki-61 TonyBy AC CRAIG CASEYIncredible information and photo's on these two aircraft ; ------ > their pilots / their pilot training < ( The Strategic Situation ) . In depth discussion on a lot of aspects of each aircraft and how they compared to one another Performance wise .- Design and Development - Technical Specifications - Even Engine types tried - Further reading/viewing titles are even described !0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Decent enoughBy LafcadioI would have liked to see more accounts of individualized combat between these two aircraft. Maybe they don't exist? There is a list of top P-38 aces in the book with their Ki-61 kils; which don't seem to be that many. Could be that most Ki-61's were destroyed on the ground at Wewak and Hollandia by B-25's. Nevertheless; a decent little book; some cool pictures.
