A Book Well Worth a Dollar

[beamjockey]

I dropped by the Aurora Public Library today and, as is my wont, looked over the used-books display. Hardcovers may be purchased for a dollar.

This was a hardcover. This was a dollar.


I am only mildly interested in naval affairs, but I recognized the value of this reference book. Fred T. Jane published the first version of the annual book that would eventually become Jane's Fighting Ships in 1898. It's the book you consult for quick information about any naval vessel on Earth. A new edition will run you most of a thousand papooses.


In the pages of Jane's, Italian Subs are more than just a tasty sandwich.
More often, I have consulted Jane's All the World's Aircraft. Since my teenage years as a military aviation buff, I longed for my own copy. Some years ago, kind friends gave me the 1960 edition. Now, through a stroke of good fortune, I am also the owner of Jane's Fighting Ships 2000-2001.

Comments

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Jane was, of course, an SF author. illustrator, and naval wargamer (which is what gave him the idea for the ship books). See e.g. my icon

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

Fred Jane. Fletcher Pratt. Tom Clancy.

Apparently, naval wargaming can lead you to great things. Are there other examples?

(H.G. Wells's thing was little tin soldiers, so I don't suppose he counts as a naval wargamer.)