Before the Battlecruiser

“The book not only matched my expectations, it exceeded them, and I thoroughly recommend it.” –Wargaming Miscellany

“The book discusses the Big Cruiser in war and peace and it is this coverage, together with the ships’ design features through their relatively short reign, and the reasons for their decline, make this book well worth acquiring. Half of the book is devoted to line drawings and ship class data while the book’s narrative half is well illustrated…. Before the Battlecruiser provides the full story of this warship type in the world’s navies and their role in naval diplomacy and warfare in a fascinating period of world history.” –The Australian Naval Institute

“Before the Battlecruiser is a major contribution to the literature of naval development in the later nineteenth century. It is a beautifully presented, thoroughly analyzed, and lucidly written presentation of a long-neglected topic. It needs to find a place in the library of any serious student of warship history of the period.” –Nautical Research Journal

“The book is well printed, on thick, good quality paper. This is an unusual, intriguing title, absolutely crammed full of little-known information.” –Warship

“Well-illustrated, with photographs, diagrams, and even full color images of some original plans, Before the Battlecruiser is a valuable reference for anyone interested in the evolution of the modern warship.” –Strategy Page

Aidan Dodson has taught at the University of Bristol since 1996, combining the disparate academic fields of naval history and Egyptology, and holds an honorary professorship in the latter subject. He holds a BA from the University of Liverpool, and an MPhil and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2003. He is the author of some thirty books, covering both his academic disciplines. The British Hawkins class Cruisers, published by Seaforth in 2024, forms a companion to the present volume.