This authoritative reference book charts the development and history of the battleship from the end of World War I, through World War II and up to the present day. This period saw a dramatic change in the role of the battleship as a result of the vastly increased destructive power and reliability of the torpedo and carrier-borne aircraft which were to hugely threaten and undermine the historic dominance battleships had enjoyed over the seaways for more than a hundred years. The book begins with a discussion of the various naval treaties which from 1916 onwards attempted to limit the scale of the major national navies and the displacement and armament of their constituent battleships. This is followed by a detailed description of the key naval engagements of each of the major maritime theatres of World War II. There are also engaging accounts of the hunt for the Bismarck and the attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as an examination of the German navy in World War II. The section concludes with a look at the role of the battleship since World War II and a brief review of where preserved battleships may be found around the world today. The second part of the book features a comprehensive country-by-country directory of more than 35 of the major battleships and classes of the era, with details on their construction, function, combat history and ultimate fate. Specification panels provide at-a-glance information about the battleship's fundamental characteristics, including its country of origin, class, launch date, dimensions, displacement, armament, power output, performance and complement. With more than 190 archive and museum photographs, illustrations and paintings, this comprehensive reference book will prove a worthy addition to the bookshelf of the battleship enthusiast or novice alike.