United States Navy Submarines 1900–2019

"United States Navy Submarines 1900-2019: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives" by Michael Green is part of the Images of War series published by Pen and Sword, a publisher well known for its photographic histories of military hardware and operations. This volume traces the development of American submarine forces from their earliest experimental beginnings at the turn of the twentieth century through more than a century of technological and strategic evolution, culminating in the nuclear-powered fleets of the modern era.

Michael Green has authored numerous titles on military vehicles, armor, and naval subjects, and his familiarity with archival research is evident throughout this book. The work relies heavily on photographs sourced from official naval archives, many of which are not widely circulated in other publications. This gives the book value as a visual reference, particularly for readers interested in the physical appearance and construction details of submarines across different design generations, from the early Holland-class boats to the diesel-electric fleets of the World War era and eventually the ballistic missile and attack submarines of the Cold War and beyond.

The structure of the book follows a chronological approach, which makes sense given the scope of the subject matter. Early chapters cover the tentative first steps of submarine warfare, when the technology was unproven and the Navy was still determining how underwater vessels might fit into broader naval strategy. These sections benefit from photographs that capture the primitive and often cramped conditions of early submarines, offering a stark contrast to the sophistication of later vessels. As the narrative progresses into the interwar years and World War II, the photographic material becomes richer, reflecting both the expansion of the submarine fleet and the increased documentation efforts by naval photographers during wartime.

The World War II section is likely to be of particular interest to readers, as this period represents a pivotal chapter in submarine history. American submarines played a significant role in the Pacific campaign, disrupting Japanese supply lines and contributing to the broader Allied war effort. The photographs from this era, drawn from wartime archives, provide a visual record of submarine crews, shipyard construction, and operational deployments. Captions accompanying the images typically offer context, identifying vessel classes, dates, and locations where available, which helps ground the visual material in a historical framework.

Moving into the Cold War period, the book shifts focus toward the development of nuclear propulsion and the strategic role submarines played in deterrence policy. The transition from diesel-electric to nuclear power marked one of the most significant technological shifts in naval history, and the photographic coverage reflects this transformation. Readers can trace the visual evolution of submarine design, from the hull shapes optimized for surface running to the teardrop hulls designed for sustained underwater operation.

As a work in the Images of War series, this book is not intended to be an exhaustive narrative history. Text passages serve primarily to contextualize the photographs rather than to provide deep analytical discussion of naval strategy or policy. Readers seeking extensive technical specifications or detailed operational histories may need to supplement this book with more specialized texts. However, for those primarily interested in the visual documentation of submarine development, the photographic content is the clear strength of this volume.

The quality and rarity of the images set this book apart from more general submarine histories. Many photographs appear to have been selected specifically because they are less commonly reproduced elsewhere, giving the book appeal to collectors and enthusiasts who may already be familiar with more widely published submarine imagery. The black and white photography throughout captures both the technical details of the vessels and the human element of submarine service, showing crews at work and vessels in various states of construction and deployment.

Overall, this book serves as a useful visual reference for anyone interested in the history of American submarine forces. It complements more text-heavy histories rather than replacing them, offering a photographic timeline that spans over a century of naval innovation. For collectors of naval photography, students of military history, or those with a general interest in submarine technology, this volume provides a worthwhile addition to a personal library, particularly for its access to archival images not commonly found in other publications on the subject.