Submarines: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Submarines : World War I to the Present

The emergence of the submarine in 1914 as a major strategic weapon was swift and unexpected. On 5 September 1914, a British light cruiser, HMS Pathfinder, was sunk by the German submarine U-21, becoming the first victim of a free-fired torpedo. The basis of naval warfare had been changed forever.

This is 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. 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, and the latest ICBM vessels.
Special emphasis is given to the U-boats of World War II, with chapters arranged by flotilla.

All the main types are included, from the World War I-era German U-1 class 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 Yasen class, the Chinese Type 094 (Jin) class.

Product details

Author:	Chris Bishop
Details:	384 pages, 10.6 x 8.5 in (27 x 21.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	80 photos and 500 drawings in color
Language:	English
Publisher:	Amber Books Ltd (GB, 2016)
ISBN:	9781782744337

The World's Greatest Submarines : An Illustrated History

In 1776, American Patriots attempted to destroy the British flagship Eagle using a man-operated semi-submersible, the Turtle, in New York harbor. The attack failed, but the idea stuck.
Almost 90 years later, the CSS Hunley successfully attacked the Federal sloop USS Housatonic by ramming into it with a 59-kilogram (130-pound) spar torpedo.
The Housatonic became the first ship in naval history to be sunk by a submarine - and so submarine warfare was born.

The World's Greatest Submarines features 52 of the most significant submarines built, from the German U-9 - which sank three British cruisers in quick succession on 22 September 1914 - through the USS Ray and huge Japanese I-400 class of World War II, to the great nuclear-powered submarines of the Cold War, such as the USS Los Angeles, Soviet Oscar class and HMS Resolution.

Also included are the bronze-hulled Gustave Zede of 1893; the 'undersea cruiser' Surcouf, which carried two 203mm (8 inch) guns on its deck; the highly successful Type VII U-boats deployed by the German Kriegsmarine against Allied shipping during World War II; and the latest attack and ballistic missile submarines, such as HMS Astute, USS Virginia, the Israeli Dolphin class, the Chinese Type 094, the INS Arihant and the Russian Yasen class.

Each entry includes a brief description of the submarine's development and history, a colour profile view or cutaway, key features and specifications.

Packed with more than 200 artworks and photographs, The World's Greatest Submarines is a colourful guide for military and naval history enthusiasts.

Product details

Author:	David Ross
Details:	224 pages, 12 x 9 x 0.94 in (30.5 x 24 x 2.4 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 photos and drawings in color
Language:	English
Publisher:	Amber Books Ltd (GB, 2016)
ISBN:	9781782744214

The Illustrated World Guide to Submarines

An encyclopedia of underwater vessels throughout history, from the Nautilus and Hunley to the nuclear-powered submarines of today. It charts a century of submarine development, from the earliest attempts to travel beneath the waves, two World Wars and the Cold War, through to the incredible machines planned for construction in the 21st century.

Product details

Author:	John Parker
Details:	256 pages, 11.6 x 9.1 x 0.75 in (29.5 x 23 x 1.9 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	700 photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Anness Publishing (GB, 2013)
ISBN:	9781780192130

Histoire des sous-marins - Des origines à nos jours (5e édition)

NEW

Stealthy and blending into the ocean, submarines have become essential weapons in naval warfare and key to maintaining the strategic balance of nuclear deterrence. Used for exploration, operations, repair, or rescue in both civilian and military contexts, they are now approaching crewless operation through artificial intelligence.

This fifth, fully revised and updated edition presents technical advancements and strategic developments that made the submarine a decisive platform of the 20th century. Written by two experts, the book traces the history of submarines from their origins.
Its rich imagery includes over 750 illustrations, 180 of them new, with many previously unpublished documents from major international collections.

Product details

Author:	Alexandre Sheldon-Duplaix, Jean-Marie Mathey
Details:	240 pages, 11.6 x 9.8 x 0.87 in (29.5 x 25 x 2.2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	750+ b&w and color photos
Language:	French
Publisher:	Sophia Éditions (F, 2025)
ISBN:	9782385140908

Sous-marins militaires

Discover the submarines that have made history, from the 18th century to today. Fifty-two submarines are put under the microscope here, including the semi-submersible Turtle from 1775, the French submarine cruiser Surcouf from 1929 which was equipped with two 203 mm guns, the formidable German U-boat Type VII which decimated Allied convoys during the Second World War, not to mention the latest generation submarines, packed with technology, the USS Virginia and the Russian Yasen class of submarines.

Pages of the book "Sous-marins militaires"

Each submarine is meticulously described, the history of its development is supplemented by a cutaway, highlighting its characteristics.

Product details

Author:	David Ross
Details:	224 pages, 11.6 x 8.9 in (29.5 x 22.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	180 b&w and color photos, drawings
Language:	French
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2020)
ISBN:	9791028304546