US Submarines Since 1945, by Norman Friedman, US Naval Institute Press, 118 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21402-5035, 1994, 352 pp, $59.95, $47.95 to USNI members. This is another addition to Norman Friedman's excellent series on US Naval ship design. This topic, submarines, actually takes two volumes, one covering subs up to 1945, and this one after that time. The other volume is in preparation. Like all of Friedman's books, it is based on extensive research with the many Navy agencies responsible for ship design and construction. It covers the evolution of submarine design, the factors that affected decisions about which design to adopt, and the success or failure of a design in actual service. It has more illustrations of a wider variety than in his other ship design books. In spite of the massive detail, the book is very easy to read. I learned a lot about submarine warfare, sonar and combat systems design, as well as many details of the individual classes. His description of the Navy's perception of the Soviet sub threat in the 1950's was fascinating. There is also a good chapter on midget submarines. If the book has a flaw, it's his light coverage of Rickover's role in sub design. Although the Admiral is mentioned, I do not believe Friedman has fully depicted Rickover's zealousness or his overwhelming influence on the US sub design community. Still, this is a minor point, and the only one I could find. I highly recommend Norman Friedman's new masterpiece. BT Back to The Naval Sitrep #2 Table of Contents Back to Naval Sitrep List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1995 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history and related articles are available at http://www.magweb.com