Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War

Rating:
Summary: Great Analysis, Little Synthesis
Review: Despite the effort to write this mammoth book (at 880 pages the largest in its class, requiring 50 years of research) the bottom line seems to be missing. It is a bottomless pit of facts, but lacks conclusions about the overall effectiveness of these warships, either against each other or against comparable ships of rival navies. Now I know how much a forward 8" gun director of the Atago weighed, but I still don't know how that director was integrated into the fire control system of the ship or how it contibuted to the net effectiveness of the ship. There is also no synthesis among the classes, that is, an evaluation of the overall results of the Japanese cruiser building program, rated against the programs of other navies. For a book this substantial, a Conclusions Chapter is a "must", and the fact that it is not there accounts for my low rating. However, the pure technical detail of the book was tremendous and the pictures and line drawings were superb. Now, can I find a place for it on my shelf?

Rating:
Summary: Great detail.
Review: Great detail--maybe a little too much detail. Great reading! Excellent design.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous! A work of art.
Review: I purchased this book without realizing that it was 850+ pages, a full 7.5 lbs, jam packed with everything anyone could ever want to know about these vessels. I have read a lot of books claiming to be a thorough histories of a county's vessels of a given type and I can honestly say, there isn't even a book this detailed in the U.S. about the U.S.Navy's Cruisers! I cannot imagine how long this information must have taken to collect. For the current price it is a bargain. Japanese cruisers were not at the top of my list as far as interests go, and I loved it.
I highly recommend this book, not only as good reading, but as an example to be followed by any would be author that would like to write books on American, British, or German warship types.
Simply outstanding! If these authors collaberate on another work, I'm buying without waiting for reviews.

Rating:
Summary: Buy the Book.
Review: I'll state outright that this is the finest warship reference I have seen published to date. The authors have covered their subject more completely than I thought possible; there is no fluff in the 850 pages. Armor schematics, design histories, superstructure details, lists of modifications, boiler specs, naming conventions--you'll find what you need, whether you're a modeler, a Pacific War researcher, a naval enthusiast, or whatever. The only wrinkle I've seen is the occasional glitch in the operational histories: incorrectly listing a CO as going down with his ship, mistaking the caliber of some shell hits, etc--minor issues at most. If you're waiting for a perfect reference, buy this one, because it's as close as you're going to get.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous! A work of art.
Review: This book is one of the best English language works on a specific subject, that of the cruisers of the Japanese Navy during World War 2. During the early phases of World War 2, Japanese cruisers posted an impressive combat record. The authors are experts on the IJN and many of the sources are unavailable outside Japan

For the modeler and historian, all aspects of Japanese heavy and light cruisers are illustrated, including armament, profile drawings, and operational histories. Some of the successes and failures of Japanese design, including the Takao class, possibly the most successful Japanese heavy cruisers to the Mogaim class, which attempted to place a heavy armament on a lightly constructed hull and were considerably overweight and later rebuilt, are explained in great detail

The profile drawings are well detailed, albeit extremely small; however they are useful in showing the arrangements of the ships. For the modeler and naval historian, this is a must book. With the recent proliferation of better detailed IJN cruiser models, this book is needed in any naval library.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most indispensible resources on the IJN
Review: This book is one of the best English language works on a specific subject, that of the cruisers of the Japanese Navy during World War 2. During the early phases of World War 2, Japanese cruisers posted an impressive combat record. The authors are experts on the IJN and many of the sources are unavailable outside Japan

For the modeler and historian, all aspects of Japanese heavy and light cruisers are illustrated, including armament, profile drawings, and operational histories. Some of the successes and failures of Japanese design, including the Takao class, possibly the most successful Japanese heavy cruisers to the Mogaim class, which attempted to place a heavy armament on a lightly constructed hull and were considerably overweight and later rebuilt, are explained in great detail

The profile drawings are well detailed, albeit extremely small; however they are useful in showing the arrangements of the ships. For the modeler and naval historian, this is a must book. With the recent proliferation of better detailed IJN cruiser models, this book is needed in any naval library.

Rating:
Summary: The final book about IJN cruisers in WWII
Review: This book should be considered the best book about IJN cruisers. The leading author, Dr. Lacroix, is considered the leading authority in the topic.The amount of data enclosed in its many pages is simply overwhelming. Pictures and drawings have been perfectly reproduced. Everything known about these fine ships is written in this book. Do not expect personal arguments or conclusions. This text is absolutely objective. It is one of the best books in my personal library.

Rating:
Summary: WAY TOO MUCH INFO.
Review: This is one of the best bathroom reads I have seen in a long time. ...Stuff like the average thickness of every plate of every cruiser in the Japanese Imperial Navy makes this something that you just cannot put down.

It is the Mother of All Reference Books on Japanese Cruisers. There is nothing to compare with it.

It is quite simply stupendous and will garner more than few stares from inquisitive guests.

Rating:
Summary: The Best IJN Book in English
Review: This is possibly the best book on a specific aspect of the Imperial Japanese Navy available in the English language. The authors are well-known experts on the Japanese navy and this book makes use of primary and secondary sources unavailable outside Japan.

For the modeler and historian, all aspects of Japanese heavy and light cruisers are illustrated, including armament, profile drawings, and operational histories. The profile drawings are well detailed, albeit extremely small; however they are useful in showing the arrangements of the ships. A caveat, this book is BIG, weighing at almost eight pounds, but for the naval historian/modeller,it is absolutely indispensable.

Rating:
Summary: What can you say?
Review: What more could you possibly want from a book on Japanese Cruisers? It's a good read, but buying it to some extent was just out of respect for the work involved. I felt I owed it to the authors to be this devoted and the publisher to commit so much paper to this subject. It's a flawless work. Is it necessary? No. Did I learn anything? Not really, a few minor things I really didn't need to know. But I'm glad I own it just to preserve a copy.