Front and rear covers
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While many of the existing books about the Mighty Hood detail her design, construction and armament, "Hood's Legacy" is almost entirely people-based. Hood's timeline from her first commissioning in 1920 until her catastrophic loss in May 1941, chronicles all her activities, cruises and action. It also includes the names of those in command and is vividly supplemented by the reminiscences of of those who served in her, from Hood Association veteran 101 year old Bill Stone, during the World Cruise of 1921, to several who experienced action in the early part of World War Two. At the time of Hood's sinking it was the worst disaster the Royal Navy had ever suffered. Sir Ludovic Kennedy compared the traumatic effect news of her death had on the public to Buckingham Palace being laid flat or the Prime Minister assassinated. Indeed more recently the effect of Hood's loss has been dramatically compared to the numbness experienced in the United States of America, subsequent to the destruction of the World Trade Centre, in New York.
Thanks to original archival material, gathered mainly from the Hood Association, including many photographs that are published for the first time, author Nixie Taverner has constructed a compelling book worthy of it's subject. Nixie's close personal connections with Hood inspired her book 'A Torch Among Tapers' (published earlier this year), a highly acclaimed biography of her father, Rory O'Conor who was Hood's Commander from 1933 - 1936.
The fact that "Hood's Legacy" centres on the lives of the men who served in her helps to explain why H.M.S. Hood continues to command such world-wide affection and respect sixty years later.
Containing many absorbing "Mariners' Memories", of those still living, it is dedicated to the honour of those who died. Liberally illustrated, "Hood's Legacy" contains a Roll of Honour listing the names of all 1,415 men who died with her and a Memorial Gallery of many photographs.
HOOD'S LEGACY
by Nixie Taverner
235mm x 150mm, Softback, 286 pages, 293 illustrations including a Memorial Gallery of 216 photographs. Full colour cover.
ISBN 0 9535670 4 4
Price (UK): £15.99 including postage and packaging / Price (overseas): £20 including postage and packaging
Available from
Bernard Durnford Publishing
The Old Museum
Bramber, West Sussex, BN44
3WE, United Kingdom
Tel: 01903 816677 / Fax: 01903 816655