The first chapter is called "Armor Basics", and explains things like "sloped armor", an "immunity zone", the "all or nothing principle", "face-hardened armor", and more.  If you are a regular to the website, you've most likely heard all these terms, and know what they mean, but this is still a good overview. I actually learned a few things reading this chapter.  The rest of the chapters cover the belt armor, barbettes, conning tower, turret armor and more.  Each chapter has photos, drawings, reproduced sections of the ships plans and computer generated drawings, along with detailed explanations of what it all means. 

What becomes apparent is how complex these ships were, and the level of thought, detail and craftsmanship that went into the design and construction of them. Of interest is the author's comment that the Iowa-class were never designed for mass production, like the Sherman tank or the Essex class carrier.  Instead, he says that "the Iowa-class battleships are hand-crafted machines where no expense was spared in their construction". 

This is the second in a series of four planned books.  In the preface, the author states that the next book in the series will revolve around the "turrets or the hull structure". 

The raison d'être for the Iowa-class was to fight ships - especially those like them - in the enemies battle line.  To do that, they needed to have the firepower to dish out punishment and the armor to withstand the same.  If you've ever been curious about all the armor that's packed into an Iowa-class battlewagon, this book will tell you just about all you every wanted to know.  It's extremely detailed, with lots of drawing, photos, and detailed text to explain what it all means. 

That being said, this book will probably appeal more to really hardcore Iowa-class fans, as opposed to the general enthusiast or armchair naval historian.  Still, it's recommended, especially to those interested in naval architecture, battleships in general, or the Iowa-class battleships in particular.  Or those, as the author states, who "want to build their own Iowa-class battleship in their backyard" (spoiler alert:  you'll need a bigger backyard). 

This is Iowa-Class Battleships Vol.2, Armor of the Iowa-Class Battleships, by John M. Miano.   Published by , ISBN 978-0-9899804-4-9.   The book is priced at $80.00, and is available to order online from both Lulu and Amazon.   According to Mr. Miano, the book is also available from the four Iowa-class museums.  He also states that "If you buy the book(s) through one of the ships, they get all the profit (which is fairly significant) so it is a good fundraiser for them.  Some ships may sell them through the mail. I think most will have it in their gift shops."

Many thanks to John Miano for the review sample.