Carrier Battle Group

Most readers don't have access to Jane's and other official defense magazines. Therefore, Motorbooks's "Carrier Battle Group" is an excellent primer for modern (Y2K) information on the US Navy's sea strategy.Compared with Tom Clancy's "CARRIER," which mainly focuses on one ship, Stephen F. Tomajczyk's book focuses on the rest of the ships and weapons that constitute the battle group. This also includes attack subs, amphibious ships, SEALs, logistics, and escorts. The information is not general either and even as a reader of Jane's, I learned some new information myself. The author did a really excellent job.This book is great because it mixes tactics, facts, and opinions. Facts are great but without sailors' opinions, one won't know if the weapon or ship is really a winner or a loser.The author traveled with the battlegroup and took color photos and obtained quotes.Weapons of present and future are also discussed and the neat thing is a photo accompanies the subject. A few are JSF, Arsenal Ship, Sea Shadow, V-22, RAM, and the new US Naval systems and ordnance.I also find this book less biased and patriotic. The author let the Navy represent itself and didn't write his own opinions and observations which is very refreshing. "Carrier Battle Group" has great information for its thin size. Well worth the money.