Sino-French Naval war 1884-85

Author: Piotr Olender  

• Mushroom Model Publications
• Maritime Series No 3104
•  Soft back, A4 128 pages
• ISBN:  978-83-61421-53-5
• Price: 19.99 GBP (Aug 2012) in good bookshops, or direct from the publisher (MMP, 3 Gloucester Close, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3AX. North American distributors: Casemate; Australian distributors: Platypus Publications.

Review by Geoff Coughlin

Our thanks to Stratus – Mushroom Model Publications for supplying our review sample. Get this title here now at: www.mmpbooks.biz

Intro…

Now this has to be a period of maritime history that’s not well known about, well the detail that is – the Sino-French Naval war 1884-85.

In the late 19^th Century France and China fought over control of what is now Vietnam. This new book in the MMP Maritime series covers the naval battles, both at sea (especially around Taiwan) and in the extensive rivers of the disputed area and puts these into the context of the overall conflict. The background, military operations and outcomes are described and discussed, providing comprehensive information on this little-known colonial war.

All the ships involved, both French and Chinese, are described in detail and illustrated with full technical specifications, scale drawings and many period photos and sketches.

Conclusions…

I got more into this volume than I had originally thought I would. It’s well written and has plenty of visual stimuli to keep the reader engaged. Fascinating and will appeal to many maritime historians or those interested in this period of military history.

Recommended 

Geoff C.