How to Build an Aircraft Carrier: The incredible story behind HMS Queen Elizabeth, the 60,000 ton star of BBC2’s THE WARSHIP

by Chris Terrill

Discover the enthralling story of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy's largest ever aircraft carrier and SUBJECT OF THE MAJOR NEW BBC DOCUMENTARY SERIES THE WARSHIP'Fascinating, often funny and sometimes moving . . . Terrill takes us deep into the bowels of Britain's biggest warship . . . Exhilarating' THE TIMES________65,000 tons. 280 metres long. A flight deck the size of sixty tennis courts. A giant piece of Sovereign British territory that's home to up to 50 Aircraft. HMS Queen Elizabeth is the biggest ship in the Royal Navy's history and one of the most ambitious and exacting engineering projects ever undertaken in the UK.But it's her ship's company of 700, alongside an air group of 900 air and ground crew that are Big Lizzie's beating heart. And How to Build an Aircraft Carrier tells their story.From before the first steel of her hull was cut, Chris Terrill has enjoyed unprecedented access to Queen Elizabeth and the men and women who have brought her to life. From Jerry Kyd, the ship's inspirational Captain to Lt Cdr Nathan Grey, the first pilot to land Britain's new stealth jet fighter on her deck, Terrill has won the trust and confidence of the ship's people.How to Build an Aircraft Carrier tells the story of Britain at its innovative, confident, outward-looking and world beating.________'A detailed account of the challenges, trials and triumphs on the ship's progression . . . and a portrait of the men and women who made it happen. [Terrill] writes with affection, humour and understanding' TELEGRAPH

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Audiobook, Aviation, Nautical

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2022

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable book, I finished it in ten days.
Not about the metal and the nuts and bolts, but all about the people who crew this new ship.

Whilst learning a lot about a variety of people, and enjoying what I read and about the sea trials for HMS Queen Elizabeth, I came away wishing that I knew more about the team building and bonding that actually forms the crew of a warship.

I would have liked to have known more about how the people were selected/chose to serve as her first crew, and how they formed into a cohesive unit. I was expecting a book with insights into leadership and team-building.

What I got was an engaging book about a number of people and the various aspects of sea trials for a new ship. Interesting, but not as powerful as it could have been.

The end of the book jumped forward from a Portsmouth homecoming in 2018 to the South China Sea in 2021, but left a large gap in between - perhaps to be filled by another book?

[Brian Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about the early shakedown cruises of the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier. An interesting read about the crew mostly.

I was hoping for more about day to day operations of the fully operational carrier. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. There are many documentaries already about life aboard an aircraft carrier. This doesn't add anything new.

The book is more about the Royal Navy's getting back into having an aircraft carrier aft the decommission of the HMS Ark Royal.

[Peter Lake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mis-titled, it should be 'How to build an aircraft carrier crew'. However, it's a gentle read if you like this sort of thing which of course I do. If you've watched the TV series of the same name there's no point in reading the book as it covers exactly the same stories (usually a book has extra and/or more developed stories than the TV).

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A people-story focused book extracted from a TV-series. Rather entertaining, but of very limited insight for the 21st century warfare, cyber, 5th generation fighter, maritime operations etc. focused reader. And yes... it does not promise to be.

[Stuart Shiffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

By any standard one employs this is simply an outstanding book. The writing moves along with style, grace and information. There is history, technology, warmth and dignity in this wonderful book. I recommend it to one and all.

[Chloé Masson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!! Even better than the series - if that is possible

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book. A lot more than just the nuts and bolts. The whole building of a crew and lots of new ideas

[Steve Culshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and easy read

Enjoyable and easy read of the birth of the QE II carrier.

Author touches upon a lot of the aspects of the life of the carrier and the crew and the life

[Daniel Dearden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a bad read

If you're looking to get an insight into the Royal Navy or HMS Queen Elizabeth, this is the place. From the first cut of metal to full deployment of the ship after testing, this book takes you through the diary of events that lead upto it. From building the ship to many first in the Royal Navy, and to the captain, a lot of lasts.