USS Enterprise

Being both a watcher of war documentaries and a Trekkie, I'm always on the lookout for any kind of information regarding the histories of actual vessels dubbed 'Enterprise'. This particular trade paperback, featuring over a hundred photos of the Pacific War's standout vessel, is one of the few books about one of the real Enterprise vessels I've encountered. True, this book's text lacks the sheer volume and sentimentality of Edward Stafford's 'The Big E'. But, even though 'USS Enterprise CV-6' author Steve Ewing's text is relatively brief, he does manage to give a surprisingly in-depth and occasionally heartfelt look at the ship's history, as told by both himself from his own research and the men who served aboard her. Also described in both words and pictures is the Enterprise legacy, which lives on in the veterans who were part of her crew and in the many memorials made up of both fond recollections and the Enterprise's myriad surviving components. My only real complaint is that, despite the fact this book was last reprinted in 1998, it hasn't been updated since 1987. Other than the lack of a recent revision, however, this pictorial history is one of the best sources of information about the US Navy's most-decorated warship, and is available at a very reasonable price. Whether you're a Pacific War fans, a Naval aficionado, or a Trekkie who is both curious and appreciative of the real-life history of the greatest 'forebear' to sci-fi's most famous starship, this trade paperback is an essential addition to your bookshelf!