Raising the Red Banner: The Pictoral History of Stalin's Fleet 1920-1945 [Hardcover]

Vladimir Yakubov (Author), Richard Worth (Author)

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Product Details

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: The History Press (Nov 1 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1862274509
ISBN-13: 978-1862274501
Product Dimensions: 24.9 x 17.3 x 1.8 cm
Shipping Weight: 762 g

Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #658,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Book Description

This is the extraordinary story of the foundation of what would become the major threat to the West during the Cold War—built by the Bolsheviks from nothing. There are more than 200 photographs, most previously unpublished. It includes all classes of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and other surface vessels, with full specifications including builders, tonnage, speed, and armament. There is no other book available for the naval enthusiast on this subject, because the information was buried—despite the fact that, for example, the Soviet Union had more submarines than the Germans and the Americans put together at the start of World War II. This is a truly unique volume on a neglected area of military history. At the revolution, the Tsar's navy, such as it was, was obsolete and scattered, much of it never to return home. From a standing start a huge fleet was built by the Bolsheviks, who were obliged to deal with the West: engines from Italy, warship plans and gun turrets from Germany (in exchange for 3.5 million tons of food and material as late as February 1940). Stalin himself took a deadly, keen interest, insisting for example that at the last moment the boilers on a new Soviet destroyer class were repositioned. It was done! The pictorial content alone of Raising the Red Banner is of immense interest to naval enthusiasts and students of WWII.

About the Author

Richard Worth has been writing on naval history for many years in such publications as Warship Inernational and the Naval Gazette. He is the author of the acclaimed Fleets of World War II. Vladimir Nakubov, a native of Minsk, is a US Navy veteran. Naturally his knowledge - and language - facilitated contacts and the gathering of information and pictures in Russia.

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0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, Feb 12 2009

Archivist - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raising the Red Banner: The Pictoral History of Stalin's Fleet 1920-1945 (Hardcover)

A disappointing publication, as if written by those who edited Russian/Soviet history. As if remarking only on what was revealed to the west during a period of censorship. Not even a picture drawing let alone blue-prints of the planned and laid Sovietsky Soyuz super-battleships or any others designed though not laid/completed by Soviet or Soviet-employed designers.

Although some information was new to me at least, such as Stalin's supposed great interest in rebuilding a massive armada, and maybe how this was high-quality for WW1 or that was low quality for WW2, but that makes the lack of new designs/plans, however unrealized, all the more disappointing. It's like saying "Stalin was willing to write a blank check to rebuild a fleet to challenge the seas, but leave out anyone's suggestions."

For instance, I've read and/or watched on historical videos, claims that Stalin had employed various foreign contractors besides German, like Italian and American, even offers by the Japanese who wanted to improve relations with him, regarding every type of warship including aircraft carriers and hybrid battleships.

I was hoping for more, even theoretical if only on paper.

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Amazon.com: 5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent purchase, Feb 1 2009

By Dennis F. Otto "DFO" - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Raising the Red Banner: The Pictoral History of Stalin's Fleet 1920-1945 (Hardcover)

My copy of this new book arrived yesterday. If there is a better, more comprehensive book on the subject of Stalin's Fleet availible in the West in English, I'm sure not aware of it.

The authors, through text and many "new" photos COVER this Fleet. Given the Fleet's composition about half the book is dedicated to submarines.

However, as a "fan" thirsting for knowledge of this Fleet for decades, this book is simply a jewel. Both authors prove over and over a comprehensive knowledge of the subject. The only "nit" I have is that there are constant, brief references about individual ships or classes that simply beg deeper explanations! For example: referring to the single 180mm guns of Krasnyi Kavkaz they say: "The 180 mm gun ultimately proved too ambitious." Why?

Given statements like that actually,IMO, opens the door for an even bigger book to provide further explanations and more complete information.

The pictures, quality wise range from mediocore (what a suprise!) to very good; many limited by the relatively small dimensions of the book. However, pictures there are in abundence! One example: the old cruiser Komintern in WW 2 guise with camo and only two funnels, as a minelayer. Not your normal view of her!

Given the book's price, it is an absolute BARGAIN, chock full of "new" and interesting info plus pics. I hope the two authors plan on more collaboration and a bigger format! Say their Cold War Fleet? DFO

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The pictures alone are worth the price., July 18 2009

By JGA357 - Published on Amazon.com

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This review is from: Raising the Red Banner: The Pictoral History of Stalin's Fleet 1920-1945 (Hardcover)

Great pictures abound in this book. Not every one is crystal clear... particularly those from the immediate post-revolution period...but there are plenty of unique views and just plain neat shots to satisfy the novice and the expert. My personal favorite is of the sailors standing on the deck of the German "pocket battleship" Lutzow after the Soviets raised her to do a technical examination!

The accompanying text is..well, not bad. At times it can be a bit choppy and abrupt, and some concepts and declarations about certain ships are not fully developed and explained. My chief complaint, however, is that the specifications of the ships are relegated to a very small font "footnote" to the larger table of the ship names/production date and locations. These tables also don't list the fate of the various ships in the class..you have to hunt that data point down in the text and it's not always there. Perhaps this somewhat condensed treatment of techincal and historical details is a function of the rather small format of the book mentioned by a previous reviewer.

Taken as a whole, however, this book is a very worthwhile purchase if you are interested in the early years of the Soviet navy!

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