JACKSON, Robert , ed. 101 Great Fighters ISBN 978-1-4358-3597-9 . LC 2009032122. JACKSON, Robert , ed. 101 Great Tanks ISBN 978-1-4358-3595-5 . LC 2009032880. JACKSON, Robert , ed. 101 Great Warships ISBN 978-1-4358-3596-2 . LC 2009032929. ea vol: 112p. (The 101 Greatest Weapons of All Times Series). charts. illus. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Apr. 2010. PLB $31.95. Gr 7-9 Military buffs will be delighted with this series, which could also serve as a reference work. The chronologically arranged titles devote a page to each weapon. A large-font title at the top of the page is followed by a one- or two-sentence statement concerning the subject's place in history, and is usually followed by a list that includes country of origin, crew, type, launch date and displacement (in Warships ), range, and weight. The narratives describe why and when the type of vehicle was created, its advantages and disadvantages, when and where it served, countries that may have purchased or license-built it, and when it was removed from service. Each entry contains a detailed two-dimensional color drawing and black-and-white or color photo of the featured vehicle (sometimes, in the case of ships, photos portray a sister vessel); both are accompanied by extensive captions. Warships has a problem with a couple of questionable dates. The only general criticism of this series is that the text is crowded as there is often no space between sentences. Back matter includes a listing of memorials and museums and an excellent further-reading list. A first purchase where the subject is popular.

This four volume set, solidly bound and clearly written, gives facts, figures, and history on 101 warships, fighter planes, tanks, and bombers. The arrangement is chronological (oldest to newest) and the format is uniform. The name of the model (for aircraft and tanks) or the specific names (for ships) is writ large across the top of the page. Beneath, a two-line bolded summary of the most salient facts about the career of each line or ship serves as an attention-grabbing lead-in. Fact boxes give specifications, including country of origin, description of type or class, engine and power specifics, weight/displacement, and range. The history of each is then outlined in several paragraphs of crisp prose. Each entry includes a photograph of the machine being considered (some color, many black-and-white) and, at the bottom of the page, a clear, full color drawing. An excellent browsing source, there is not really sufficient information on any given armament to provide report information. Still, there is definitely an audience for this type of presentation. A glossary of terms, list of applicable museums and societies, bibliography, and basic index complete each volume. Taken together or singly, these books supply a compelling look at the evolution of firepower which will certainly have appeal to warfare buffs from the upper elementary age on.ùAnn Welton.