By any standards; Admiral Sir John Treacher is an exceptional man who has had the fullest of lives. Old enough to have served and be sunk in the War; he went to be a naval aviator flying in the Korean War. His career took off too and he rose rapidly to be the captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle and soon after Commander in Chief Channel. To everyone's surprised he left the Navy when all the indications were that he was about to become First Sea Lord. For many this would have meant a quiet retirement. Not so here! A number of influential appointments quickly followed including controversially Chairmanship of Playboy Club UK at a critical time for their vital gaming interests. He was deeply embroiled in the highly political Westland drama which resulted in the resignation of Cabinet ministers. Today as he approaches 80 he is still an active and influential figure in the aeronautical industry.
#635677 in Books Osprey 2004-03-25 2004-03-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 247.65 x 3.56 x 7.25l; .37 #File Name: 184176637248 pagesReference Book
Review
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A Needful Piece of the PuzzleBy Henry S. PlouseIn the 150 years between the first quarter of the 15th C. and the last quarter of the 16th; a revolution in shipbuilding and sailing techniques and technology occurred which has dwarfed; certainly in its effects and consequences; all subsequent developments; even that which saw the evolution from wind-powered; wooden ships to steam-powered; metal ones; and yet the number of books and articles covering that development is exasperatingly small (and much of it is old and outdated; despite an ever increasing body of archaeological evidence which would support a massive analysis and reassessment). In detailing the development of the "Galleon" type vessel; this book captures the last part of that revolution. If it is a bit unsatisfying then that is not due to any defect in the book itself; but rather is a reflection of the fact that it lacks the necessary prologue; detailing the progression from cog; to caravel; to carrack; which preceded the development of the galleon. One hopes that Osprey plans on remedying that lack with future releases covering those types and their development into the modern ship.That said; in all other ways; this is a very satisfying; typical Osprey offering. The illustrations are superb. The technical information; so far as the scope of the work allows; is more than adequate. It offers a decent primer on the development of the galleon type and an excellent presentation on its subsequent development. Its chief weakness exists only because the book cannot present the galleon in its historical context; a job which only additional volumes; covering the evolution of sailing technology and ship types; can remedy.If this is an area of interest; then; by all means; buy the book and hope for more; hopefully from this same author and illustrator.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Osprey is great usually; but this book is NOT for a ...By Robert L.Osprey is great usually; but this book is NOT for a modeler. Pro: Great information; and well-written. Cons: Very few illustrations. The few illustrations in the book are small; hard to see and lack any detail or color. Even with young eyes and a very big magnifying glass; the illustrations would not be helpful as far as detail. The one big illustration is of a cut out of a typical Galleon. The drawing is blurry and dead in the center of the book. To see it completely you have to break the spine of the book. Kind of disappointed.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. You have to love OspreyBy CustomerThere are people out there who spend a LOT of time researching and writing about things I only want to know about ONCE. The other books on this topic are huge; out of print and if you can find them; EXPENSIVE. When my son chose the transition from oared ships to sailing ships as a history fair project...... only OSPREY helped us with accessible; affordable digestible information. AND DON'T TELL ME YOU CAN GET ALL THIS ON THE INTERNET. The internet is a lovely; wonderful MESS; and Osprey finds people who do real research and combine that with a great format and PICTURES and save you hours of wandering up blind internet alleys. As a cherry on this cake the author of this particular book answered questions my son had via email. (Mr. Konstam will probably hate me for putting that in here. )
