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Bee

22-02-2010, 14:28

Hi all,

Whilst searching for something entirely different I just happened across
a couple of interesting old naval books that you can access, for free and read online. I'm sure there must be lots more out there, so I thought it might be an idea to list any we find here.

Personally I do prefer to read "proper hard copy", books, however due to the age of some of these, I'm sure there wouldn't be too many left out there, so this would have to be the next best alternative.

The first one I've found is: "How our Navy is Run: A Description of Life in the King's Fleet", by Archibald S. Hurd.

http://www.archive.org/stream/howournavyisrund00hurd/howournavyisrund00hurd_djvu.txt

He is also the author of: "The British Fleet. Is it Sufficient and Efficient"

The introduction to the first book mentioned is by a Rear-Admiral Lord Charles Beresford (1867-1927), who also has his memoirs on line: The Memoirs of Admiral Lord Charles Beresford(1914) at this link :

http://www.archive.org/details/memoirsofadmiral01bereuoft

Cheers,
Bee
p.s. Eventually, if we happen to find lots of old navy books on line, we might be able to ask one of the very helpful moderators to list them in some form of order. (Maybe by year, or something?) :)

INVINCIBLE

22-02-2010, 17:47

Bee,
Well done - that is most interesting and if there are more naval books out there that we can access without having to go to the library or the bookshops then that would be excellent news.

steve roberts

22-02-2010, 18:01

Hi Bee.Thanks for those leads,saves having to wait weeks for the library to get them.If you come across any more ,pop them up.Thanks....Regards Steve.

Bee

27-02-2010, 16:10

Thanks Invincible and Steve,
And of course I will post any links to any other old Naval books I find on the net. Hopefully others of you will too.
Cheers,
Bee :)

Linton

27-02-2010, 19:42

Does the book "One Man Band" by Rear Admiral Ben Bryant exist in e-book form? This title was also known as Submarine Commander.

steve roberts

27-02-2010, 19:46

Hi Linton.I have not heard of it being on the net.I will nose around and see what I can find out for you...Regards Steve.

Linton

27-02-2010, 20:01

I have started to stay away from many of the sites hosting e-books on the net . I joined a file sharing website just before Christmas to download an aviation book only to discover that it was merely a website that took multiple amounts from my credit card and then infected my computer with a Trojan!!

steve roberts

27-02-2010, 20:29

Hi Linton.Thanks for the warning.I always find its best to discover if a book,even out of print,is available for sale.Then pay by the Secure PAYPAL method.That's a part of my computer security system(Firewall,Anti-virus and Anti-tamper etc)I don't think I would be tempted to join such a site as you mentioned.But back to your question,I have browsed several sites and can find no mention of the book you asked about.That does not mean its not out there somewhere,but several sites ask you to log in first.As you say they are no-no sites...Many regards Steve.

INVINCIBLE

28-02-2010, 19:34

Bee

02-03-2010, 05:22

Thanks for the warning, Linton.

At least the couple of links I've found were available for free and so...no credit card details taken.

Hopefully they're virus free too.

I guess each one of us should assess the possible risks, whenever we visit an unknown site, (and make sure our computer's virus checkers are up to scratch.)

Cheers,

Bee

BB-39 USS Arizona

05-04-2010, 18:22

Admiral Halsey's Story (1947) William F. Halsey and J. Bryan III, contains material on the admiral's early career but is of limited value for the World War II.
http://www.questia.com/library/book/admiral-halseys-story-by-j-bryan-william-f-halsey.jsp

You do need to be careful, as they will ask you to join. I've found reading 1 chapter, in a 24 hour period, they won't ask you to join.

Bob