Dive into the fascinating naval history of the submarine with this comprehensive and detailed guide!

Submarines offers a highly illustrated guide to all the main classes of submarines to be used in naval warfare from the beginning of World War I to the present day. As you will learn throughout the book, the emergence of the submarine in 1914 as a major strategic weapon was swift and unexpected. On September 5th, 1914 a British Light cruiser, HMS Pathfinder, was sunk by a German submarine U-21, becoming the first victim of a free-fired torpedo. The basis of naval warfare had been changed forever.

Divided by era, campaign, and country, the book includes sections on; submarine forces in 1914, technical developments during the 1930s, the Atlantic convoy war during World War II, Soviet submarine development during the Cold War, the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, submarines of the Falklands War, and the latest ICBM carriers. Special emphasis is given to the U-Boats of World War II and arranged flotilla.

You will gain a vast knowledge of submarines, as all major models are included, from the World War I-era German U-1 and British F-class, through the Type VII U-boats and US Gato class of World War II, and coming up-to-date with the latest missile submarines, such as HMS Astute, USS Virginia, the Russian Borei class, the Chinese Shang class, and the INS Arihant.

David Ross specializes in maritime and railway history and has written and contributed to numerous books on these subjects. His most recent books include World's Greatest Battleships, Age of Steam, and Age of Sail.

Chris Bishop is the author of German Campaigns of World War II, The Rise of Hitler's Third Reich, SS: Hitler's Foreign Divisions, The Essential Tank Identification Guide: Wehrmacht Panzer Divisions, 1939-45, The Essential Aircraft Identification Guide: Luftwaffe Squadrons, 1939-45, and The Essential Submarine Identification Guide: Kriegsmarine U-Boats, 1939-45. Chris Bishop lives in England.