Review by Felix Bustelo

The USS Minneapolis was one of seven New Orleans class heavy cruisers authorized under the Washington Treaty of 1922. Launched in 1933 and commissioned the following year, the Minneapolis and the other "Treaty Cruisers" formed the backbone of the United States Navy during the early years of the World War II in the Pacific Ocean. The Minneapolis provided anti-aircraft screening and carrier escort at the Battles of Coral Sea, Midway and Tassafaronga. At the latter battle, she took a torpedo hits from a Japanese destroyer, blowing her bow off and killing 37 seamen. She was rigged with an emergency bow made of coconut tree logs for her trip to Espirito Santo. There she was fitted with a temporary steel bow (more like a cap) for her solo trip back to Pearl Harbor for full repairs, where approximately 60 feet of new bow was fitted. After her repairs, she returned to action, taking part in many of the major battles through the end of the war. In total, she earned 17 battle stars for her service during World War II.

The Warship Pictorial Series has become a very popular line of books and with good reason. These titles provide excellent photographs and detailed drawings with the ship modeler in mind and for a very affordable price. This volume on the Minneapolis was the second in the series that at this writing was up to 15 published titles and three more in the works.

The 56-page softbound book provides a thorough visual reference of the Minneapolis throughout her career and different fits. There are a total of 39 clear and sharp photos showing various views and details. The photos are sized to fit the entire page to provide the maximum possible exposure. Photos are included of the Minneapolis after her damage at Tassafaronga, the temporary steel bow and the subsequent repairs at Pearl Harbor. Unfortunately, there are no photos of the coconut tree bow - I guess there are none as I am sure it would have been included if one existed. Photos of the Minneapolis in her most unique camouflage scheme are also included; she was painted in such a way to make her look like a Benson class destroyer, with large painted on life rafts.

To supplement the photos, there are three 1/350 scale plan and profile views showing the ship in her October 1942, October 1943 and June 1945 fits. Additional views and deck plans are also provided for the October 1942 fit. Especially helpful are the views looking forward and aft at various points of the ship. These drawings provide a lot of information to super detail a model. Two 1/700 scale plan and profile views are also included of the fits in October 1942 and June 1945. Unlike subsequent volumes, these plan and profile views are not in color but rather in gray scale. The lack of color does not detract from the quality of the drawings in any way; it is just not as visually appealing as the colorized versions.

The photos and drawings are sandwiched between a 2-page operational chronology and a page of general statistics and references. The statistics page summarized the armament and aircraft fitted on the Minneapolis and at which time.

I recommend this volume to any modeler that is planning to build a model of the Minneapolis or one of her sisters in the New Orleans class of cruisers. While there may have been differences among the ships of this class, there is enough information here that would apply to all ships. Selling for only $11.95 US, this book is an outstanding value. My thanks to Warship Books for providing this review copy.