David Doyle Books Review - USS Saratoga CV-3

Legends of Warfare
USS Saratoga (CV-3)
by David Doyle

Reviewed by Martin J Quinn
October 2022

David Doyle Books has released a new title. This one covers the USS Saratoga, (CV-3), a Lexington-class aircraft carrier, which helped develop US Naval carrier doctrine prior to the Second World War, in which she ultimately served. This book is 144 pages long, and includes a history of the Saratoga, from keel laying through her sinking during the post-war atomic bomb tests. There are more than 350 photos, including some in original color, and few of the wreck as it exists today.

This book is laid out with an introduction and three subsequent chapters:

- Chapter 1 - The Prewar Years
- Chapter 2 - Saratoga Goes to War
- Chapter 3 - Crossroads

While there is text and history through the book, the meat of these Legends of Warfare books are the photographs, and this one doesn't disappoint. The book is full of great photos. Saratoga is a particular favorite of mine, and I've been to the National Archives (NARA II) in College Park, Maryland, and have searched for and scanned a lot of photos of Saratoga myself, yet this book includes a host of pictures I have not seen before. If gives a good cross section of Saratoga's service, with lots of photos of her building, fitting out and early service, as well as good coverage of her service in World War II. While mostly painted in Measure 21 during the war, Saratoga also wore an impressive dazzle camouflage scheme late in the war, and this book has many detail shots showing off that measure. Also included are a series of color profiles of the various, colorful, aircraft that served aboard "Sister Sara" during her long career, as well as some line drawings showing the differences in the ship over time.

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Conclusions:

This is another really nice, high quality, hardcover book from David Doyle. This edition is an expansion of the authors previous publication on Saratoga. It has lots of interesting info - like the fact that footage shot on Saratoga was twice used in Hollywood films during the 1930's - and tons of fine pictures, including some original World War II color photos. Naval history buffs and modelers will both appreciate having this book in their libraries. For modelers, there are lots and lots of detail shots for those wishing to build a model of Saratoga. Highly recommended.

This is USS Saratoga, CV-3 - Legends of Warfare, by David Doyle. Published by Schiffer Publishing, ISBN 978-0-7643-6466-2. The book retails for $24.99, and is available to order directly from David's website. Thanks to David Doyle Books for the review sample.