Aircraft Carrier

The essential history of the ships that revolutionised naval warfare: the aircraft carriers. This book would be perfect for fans of Ian W. Toll, James D. Hornfischer, and N. A. M. Rodger.

The USS Enterprise, HMS Ark Royal, and the Japanese Zuikaku were some of the most important ships of the Second World War. But how did they originate? Why were they able to eclipse previous warships? And in what ways did they shape naval warfare during the Second World War?

Donald Macintyre, one of the most successful convoy escort commanders and a renowned military historian, sheds light on how aircraft carriers rose to become rulers of the seas over the course of the war.

Drawing upon a wealth of first-hand sources, Macintyre reconstructs how these ships – and the men who served aboard them – shaped the war in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and, of course, the Pacific. Key engagements, such as the Battles of Midway, the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf, are brought to life in fascinating detail, transporting the reader to the flight decks of these remarkable vessels during their most fearsome encounters.

Aircraft Carrier is a compelling work that charts the evolution of these ships from their inception to the moment they became the dominant force in Second World War naval operations.