By Norman Polmar (Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of blogs by Norman Polmar, author, analyst, and consultant specializing in the naval, aviation, and intelligence fields. Follow the full series here.) Long before the massive FBI building was erected on Ninth Street in northwest Washington, the few blocks between F Street and
This past Saturday, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM) held their second annual “Brick by Brick: LEGO Shipbuilding” contest. The event brought together those who love naval history, and those who love the iconic children’s construction blocks. The day-long event encouraged builders of all ages to bring in LEGO ships they had created at home,
The February Naval Institute Proceedings features an article by Naval Historical Foundation Historian Dr. David F. Winkler who looks at Historic Ships as an underutilized asset for the Navy in telling the Navy’s heritage story. The Naval Historical Foundation is an associate member to the Historic Naval Ships Association and has been supportive of
By Dave R. Palmer, Regnery Publishing, Washington, DC. (2012). Reviewed by Captain Roger F. Jones, U.S.Navy (Retired) This small book (only 230 pages of text) is a gem, in that it takes a brief premise which is developed simply, elegantly, and completely. One of the most enjoyable aspects is General Palmer’s masterly writing style, which
By John Jordan, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD. (2011). Reviewed by Larry A. Grant Warships After Washington: The Development of the Five Major Fleets 1922-1930 tells the story of the impact of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 on warship construction as the victorious nations tried to modernize their navies while facing financial strain, national
By Craig L. Symonds. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. (2012) Reviewed by William Whyte Renowned historian Craig Symonds, Professor of History Emeritus at the U.S. Naval Academy, has penned a compact, topical overview of the naval effects on the U.S. Civil War. Symonds has written a number of works on the Civil War, most
By Robert Shenk, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD. (2012). Reviewed by David F. Winkler, Ph.D. I wrote the dust-jacket promotion blurb for this book where I suggested this book be considered for the CNO’s reading list – for good reasons – this book provides a historical account of the post-World War I history where revolutionary
By Claude Berube, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD. (2012). Reviewed By Nathan Albright The Aden Effect is the first novel by Claude Berube, whose varied career has so far taken him into teaching at the Naval Academy, serving in the Persian Gulf, as well as stints in Naval Intelligence and Capitol Hill. He uses this
By Rear Adm. Terry McKnight, USN (Ret.) and Michael Hirsh, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD. (2012) Reviewed By Nathan Albright Retired Rear Admiral Terry McKnight and Michael Hirsh have written a book about Somali piracy that is both of topical interest and designed to provide a lasting influence on future policy for the United States,
By Bruce Swanson with Vance H. Morrison, Don H. McDowell, and Nancy N. Tomasko, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD. (2012) Reviewed by Diana L. Ahmad, Ph.D. A Plain Sailorman in China by Bruce Swanson discussed the life of I. V. Gillis, part of a multigenerational Navy family, who became the first United States naval attaché
By John Prados, NAK Caliber Division of New American Library, New York, NY (2011) Reviewed by Captain Roger F. Jones, USN (Ret.) One of the meanings of the word “crucible” is “severe test,” and the Allied invasion of France in WW II was certainly every bit of that for each side. Prados draws on both
By Gina Nichols, Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, SC, (2011) Reviewed by Charles H. Bogart Written by Gina Nichols, archivist of the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum at Port Hueneme, California, this is another publication in Arcadia Publishing Images of America series. Point Mugu had developed as an upscale fishing camp during the years before World War
If you stopped by to visit our booth at the Surface Navy Symposium last week in Arlington, VA, you know that we were running a raffle. We had a nice collection of entries, and this week we selected six lucky winners. Three entrants were awarded the limited edition USS Enterprise commemorative coin, and three additional
On 20 November, the Naval Historical Foundation interviewed First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, GCL, DL, who presently serves as Chairman of Trustees of the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN). The NMRN represents an amalgamation of the National Museum of the Royal Navy (Portsmouth), Royal Marines Museum, (Southsea), Fleet Air Arm Museum (Yeovilton),
By Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC (Ret.), Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD (2011) Reviewed by Jan Churchill Medal of Honor Recipient Col. Wesley L. Fox dedicated this book “To the Marines of yesterday whose personal sacrifices demonstrated the leadership traits addressed in this work.” He discusses how his superiors and fellow Marines impressed him with
