Before the Battlecruiser: The Big Cruiser in the World’s Navies, 1865-1910

by Aidan Dobson

The battlecruiser is perceived by many as the most glamorous of warships, remembered for its triumphs and tragedies in both world wars. Often forgotten are its lineal ancestors, the big cruisers that were constructed as capital ships for distant waters, as commerce raiders, and as fast scouts for the battle fleet during the last decades of the nineteenth century and the first years of the twentieth.

In this new book by bestselling author Aidan Dobson, the 200 or so big cruisers that were built for the world's navies from 1865 are described and analyzed in detail.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published November 15, 2018

Reviews

[Shrike58 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this day and age a comprehensive survey of a given type of warship seems a little bit odd, considering the number of specialized books and articles dealing with the specific armored cruisers. Still, Dodson is of the opinion that these vessels have not really gotten their due as useful combatants in actual service, as compared to the relatively few opportunities they had to shine in their more specialized roles. Britain's Royal Navy perhaps deserves the most criticism for their tendency to build direct answers to foreign naval combatants that concerned them when there was little chance that these ships would ever meet. Recommended.

Originally written: January 5, 2020.

[Susan Paxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very useful look at a type of warship that suffered from confused requirements and brutal treatment during World War One and hence is often dealt with briefly. Well illustrated, a bit dryly written. A final section includes side views of the ships and follows them all the way through, in some cases, harbor service, which is unusual and a very nice feature. Surprisingly badly proofread, unusual for a book from the Naval Institute.

[Mark Merritt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book, with good basic diagrams of each ship discussed. A bit repetitive, but the topic doesn’t seem to lend itself to engaging text. Good book overall.