Synopses & Reviews
"[An] excellent source of detailed information about both famous and obscure places in U.S. naval history." Reference Books Bulletin
Review
Arrangement is alphabetical by name of base (and sometimes by area, such as San Francisco Bay), but there are numerous cross-references. Signed articles are written by experts in naval history. Each article gives reasons for establishing the base, a brief history of achievements, dates of service, and the reason for closing down in the case of inactive bases. Articles vary in length from ten or more pages to a single paragraph for stations that were only briefly in service. A bibliography accompanies each article. ... [An] excellent source of detailed information about both famous and obscure places in U.S. naval history. Three appendixes list bases by type, by state, and by date of establishment. An index concludes [the volume].Reference Books Bulletin
Review
... historians will welcome the efforts of Professors Coletta and Bauer who organized and shared in the work of more than 35 scholars who contribued entries to the volumes.... These accounts provide an informative historical summary of all significant bases, except for small temporary support establishments, operated by the Navy and Marine Corps throughout their existence. Full coverage is included of air stations, aviation research and development facilities, and other installations of special interest to aerospace historians. Each entry is accompanied by detailed bibliographies identifying sources that can be consulted for further details. There is extensive cross-referencing within the text ... [and] detailed subject and name indexes. Frank Uhlig, editor of the Naval War College Press, contributes perceptive introductions to both volumes that place the evolution and overall structure of Naval and Marine bases in their historical perspective.... These dictionaries are indispensable reference volumes for all students of Naval and Marine Corps history.Aerospace Historian