Seapower

My son loves browsing this gigantic hardcover. It's a totally majestic volume of photos that lays on our den coffee table as an impressive reminder of our naval seapower.

Seapower is visually stunning, with page after page of pictures that show both the physical might of the Navy, as well as the hard work that its ships' crews undertake to make it all work. Much like previous coffee table books on submarines and aircraft carriers, the book has little text, but relies instead on imagery to be worthwile. In doing so, they succeeded. Most modern classes of U.S. Naval warships are displayed, from the carriers, to the AEGIS cruisers, Arleigh Burke and Spruance destroyers, the Perry class frigates, battleships of the past, and support vessels. The pictures range from action shots to tranquil silhouettes against the setting sun, and the selected pictures leave a reader with a strong sense of the worldwide commitment and flexibility that makes the U.S. Navy the envy of the world. This is not a history of the Navy, and doesn't encompass much in the way of naval aviation, training, and so forth. This is simply the raw, brute strength of the tip of the spear, and for those with an interest in the modern Navy, required bookshelf reference material.