This 116 page book tells the story of the County Class Cruiser HMAS Canberra. Like other books published by the Naval Historical Society of Australia (NHSA), it tells the story of the ship - where she went and what she did. The book contains 25 photos although the format doesn't do them justice.
The first half of the book covers HMAS Canberra's service up to April 1942. Operating as Australia's flagship from 1931 to 1940, she undertook many cruises around the country and to neighboring nations to "show the flag". She was also present in the usual peacetime exercises during this period. After the outbreak of war though, HMAS Canberra was used in convoy escort and raider hunting details.
The rest of the book deals with her service at Guadalcanal up to her sinking, (without firing a shot) in the battle of Savo Is. Chronicling the events leading up to and during the battle, it also recounts the findings of the Board of Inquiry held into this event and touches on the controversy surrounding her sinking that still dogs her to this day.
While this book does not provide, in depth the detail that a modeller needs to model her it is full of information. Useful as a springboard for further research, it fills in many of the gaps in the history of this ship which served her country well in peacetime and war. I recommend it.