The Battleships

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Before the nuclear bomb, no weapon evoked as much fear as the battleship. Spanning almost two centuries, from the Battle of Trafalgar to the Gulf War, this history explores the rapid evolution of battleship deployment, effectiveness, and design from canvas to steam, timber to steel armor, muzzle-loading cannons to missiles. Special attention is given to the post-World War I arms race that witnessed the United States, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan vying for maritime dominance. Also examined are the effects of advanced submarine and aviation technologies on the battleship, and the results of specific instances like the sinking of the Hood by the Bismarck and the attack on Pearl Harbor.