Liberty Ships: America's Merchant Marine Transport in World War II

“Without the supply column of Liberty Ships that endlessly plowed the sea between America and England, the war would have been lost,” declared a grateful Winston Churchill. Although these cargo ships were unremarkable in appearance and incapable of doling out damage like an Iowa-class battleship or Essex-class carrier, Churchill’s quote shows how important they were. American shipyards cranked them out — at one point, they could build one in 42 days — and produced 2,710 between 1941 and 1945. They hauled everything needed for the war effort to American and Allied forces across the globe.

The history of this remarkable vessel is told in Liberty Ships — America’s Merchant Marine Transport in World War II by David Doyle. This 128-page hardcover, part of Schiffer’s Legends of Warfare series, begins with historical photos of the vessels in action. But modelers will love the second three-quarters of the book. It is filled with hundreds of photos of the John W. Brown and Jeremiah O’Brien, two surviving Liberty ships now preserved as museums. There are detailed photos of deck fittings, superstructures, masts, antiaircraft guns, engine room, officer’s quarters, and so much more.

Just like the subject ships, this book delivers to goods!