Casemate Publishers presents Stratus MMP Books Austro-Italian Naval War 1866 by Piotr Olender. Part of the Maritime Series of books, this large, heavy softbound book is really about the Battle of Lissa in 1866 between the newly formed Italian and nearby Austrian fleets, and the sweeping geopolitical fallout. The unification and formation of present Italy, the fractionation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the rise of Prussia/Germany, and French meddling set up future wars, including World Wars I and II.

This Austro-Italian War of 1866 also happened in the middle of rapid change in naval warfare, bridging the age of wooden sailing ships morphing to motorized metal vessels. Wood frigates and ships-of-the-line (sail plus screw/paddle propelled), ironclads and rams of all shapes and sizes comingled, blending different tactics with uncertain outcomes. Technological warfare changes were so fast that ships being built were obsolete before launching. Improvements in cannons, armor, propulsion and tactics were stunning. This book brags it was the major sea battle between ironclads and deliberate ramming — a truly unique battle. Both fleets looked like a Rube-Goldberg-on-LSD mishmash of majestic masts/sails and ugly, odd-looking ships. Unfortunately, models of this era of ships are ignored or rare (other than the American Merrimack and Monitor, and the Royal Navy Warrior). A ripe area for a new area of modeling.

This book looks intimidating at first but is actually a fast read because of the many illustrations, photos and drawings of unusual topics. The topic of naval warfare around the time of the US Civil War is under-represented because of the tremendous rate of change in technology, but that is what makes this book fascinating. Disparate advances in all aspects of naval warfare are carefully explained.

The political and social insights are important for understanding the context of this war and the effect on the future of Europe and global conflicts, especially the rise of sea power that controlled future wars of the 20th century. This book is more than a compendium of facts — it tells a grand story worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster movie that grabs the reader into its clutches, with flawed characters on both sides. The attention to detail does not deter from wanting to know what is going to happen next. The Battle of Lissa was truly fascinating, thought-provoking, and appealing to a wide audience, more than just warship/naval enthusiasts. A story for the ages and a mirror on human follies and foibles.

Table of Contents

1. The unification of Italy
2. The origins of the Austro-Italian war
3. Warships and their armament and tactics
4. Austrian and Italian naval policies in the pre-war period
5. Opponents
6. Land campaign
7. Operations of the Austrian and Italian flotillas on Lake Garda
8. Naval operations in the first month of the war
9. Defence of Lissa
10. Battle of Lissa
11. After the battle
12. End of hostilities and balance of the war
13. The influence of the Austro-Italian War on the development of naval warfare
14. Annex 1: Austrian and Italian Navy List
15. Annex 2: The Austrian and Italian naval artillery in 1866
16. Bibliography
17. Seventeen full-page line drawings of individual ships (see Figure 4)

Figures

• Figure 1 Austro-ItalianNavalWar 1866 Book Review 20251230 Front Cover showing Palestro
• Figure 2 Austro-ItalianNavalWar 1866 Book Review 20251230 Back Cover
• Figure 3 Austro-ItalianNavalWar 1866 Book Review 20251230 Battle of Lissa 1400hrs
• Figure 4 Austro-ItalianNavalWar 1866 Book Review 20251230 Affondatore
• Figure 5 Austro-ItalianNavalWar 1866 Book Review 20251230 Principe di Carignano
• Figure 6 Austro-ItalianNavalWar 1866 Book Review 20251230 Erzherzog Ferdinand Max

Thanks to IPMS/USA and Casemate Publishing USA for the privilege of reviewing this forgotten but impactful history that changed Europe, and the world. A truly immersive, satisfying experience.