Great History Series Updated

[Don Boyer]

The United States Naval Institute Press has just announced the release of the first book in a great series: "The Battle of the Atlantic: September 1939-May 1943." You may recognize this as the first of fifteen volumes of Samuel Eliot Morison's History of United States Naval Operations In World War II.

USNI has announced that all fifteen volumes, in paperback, will be issued over the next three years in updated editions with new introductions by noted military historians.

USNI says list price per volume will be $24.95 and $16.22 for USNI members.

Depending on how good and extensive the "updating" is, these could be really good additions to anyone's library. Morison did publish the last volume with a corrective addenda in his lifetime, but much since has been uncovered that would really make these volumes definitive if they actually went that far with updating.

Also announced by USNI is "Beneath the Waves" by Edward F. Finch, the story of the life and navy of Captain Edward L. Beach Jr., famed navy submarine officer in WWII and later, and author of many great books on the navy, in particular "Submarine" which recounted the patrols of the submarine "Trigger" as well as other famous submarines of the time.

Captain Beach passed away in 2002, shortly after he and I had exchanged several letters regarding the service of his father, Edward L. Beach Sr. aboard the protected cruiser Baltimore at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War. He was a notable naval officer, historian, and friend.

[Don Boyer]

Just a quick update...the first three volumes of the "updated" 15 volume History of United States Naval Operations in WWII are apparently on the market according to the latest notice from the U.S. Naval Institute. See their website at www.nip.org. I have the original set, but have not bought the new ones to compare. If anybody does, I would bet lots on the forum would be interested in anyone's "take" on whether the new editions have been "updated" sufficiently to warrant buying them.

(I would bet we will see them offered as the full 15 volume set after they are reissued, and probably at lower prices. Hard to tell with the Institute..they are pricey, as many of you know.)

[scjon]

Saw the updates pop up on Amazon yesterday for around $17 US each. It did not list them as "updated" or "revised" so I was hesitant. It also gave the same reviews as for the previous printings. I also am curious as to the level of "revisions". Them may have just made them more PC! :D.

[skipperbob]

I have the original set too. Certainly parts of his research are outdated but it is still an outstanding work of history and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in naval literature.

[Vince O'Hara]

Naval Institute has not revised the text of the books themselves, but they have commissioned new introductions to each volume. I wrote the introduction to Volume II, Operations in North African Waters

[Vince O'Hara]

Naval Institute has not revised the text of the books themselves, but they have commissioned new introductions to each volume. I wrote the introduction to Volume II, Operations in North African Waters. I discuss how Morison came to write the series, his methodology and style, how the book has held up over time and I compare his coverage of events to the literature that has followed. I also look at what he does not cover (like ULTRA, for example) and how he used French and Axis sources.

It has become fashionable in some circles to bash Morison and while his histories were certaintly products of their time, I still find his work excellent for operations and in some respects unsurpassed.

Vince O'Hara

[Don Boyer]

Anyone worth their salt in US naval history "buffitis" or serious historical research had best have Morison's 15 volumes prominently on the shelves. Unlike the Army's 200 volumes or whatever on their WWII history, the navy never produced anything official, and Morison's volumes have stood the test of time as the "unofficial" official history. Sure, there are errors, and Ultra was verboten at the time he wrote, but still a magnificent piece of work.

I am not surprised to learn in the end that there are only new introductions, not "revised" editions, as that would probably be quite the job to deal with for a naval historical branch.

Much following naval literature has its basis in Morison, springboard for hundreds of more detailed volumes on specific actions. His influence on American naval history has been enormous.

As a lad of 13, my dad subscribed to a book club in order for me to eventually get all fifteen volumes. Many, many days of lawn mowing and yard work ensued and I devoured every volume. Their successors are on my bookshelf as I write this... :)

Mr. O'Hara must be quite proud to have been selected to write the new material for Volume II -- color me jealous!