For me, one of the more interesting books I've read in quite a while. I've always been interested in naval history, but have not taken the time to learn much about non-powered ships. In this volume (#96) of the New Vanguard series, the author covers the development of the Spanish Galleon.

Those of us who have watched the various pirate movies as we've grown up all think we know what a galleon is. It is generally the ship that gets involved in battles and plundered by the pirates. But in reality, the galleon was more of a well-armed escort ship than a lumbering merchantman.

Developed from the nao, the galleon eventually became the single major ship type for navies throughout Europe, and not just the Spanish. The reason that the Spanish were chosen for this book is basically because they were at the forefront of ship design for the period and developed the galleon into what it eventually became.

This book covers the development of the ship as well as those battles in which it was involved. It is accompanied by superb illustrations and images taken from period paintings. Along with all this, there are sections on what it was like to build the ship. The outfitting and service aboard the galleon are also given described as well as the development of shipboard weaponry.

Overall, I found this to be a fascinating book and I think you will as well.

Available in bookstores everywhere, through Classic Motorbooks at (800) 826-6600 or at www.motorbooks.com. For more on the complete line of Osprey books, visit www.ospreypublishing.com

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