This thread is a continuation of a similar thread on the defunct Warship Discussion 3.0 forum.
It's purpose is several fold:
Like the aviation blacklist, to clearly mark ships some may think are real or may be confused with real ships.
To catalogue the fictional ships portrayed in books, film and TV.
To catalogue naval fiction more broadly.
To display some of the varied artwork on the book covers, especially those from an age gone by when artists actually painted scenes rather than dodgy 3D graphics.
To examine themes of the books published and the plots; for example its clear that most Cold War literature focuses on submarines.
To analyse how authors use naming conventions (or otherwise!).
To be a source for AH ideas and possible artwork ideas.
I'll admit there is a lot of background work between Graham and myself to decipher author's intentions, especially when vague ideas are portrayed.
The range of novels cover everything from late 19th century invasion literature, early 20th century works, wartime propaganda novels (both world wars), children's literature from the early 20th century, action comics, Cold War era novels (1950s onwards), post Cold War scenarios (US vs. China or Iran seem popular themes), techno-thrillers (from early 20th century to today), film adaptations of books.
We don't tend to touch anime however, its a broad area on its own with its own challenges.
If people would be interested in more of the details of how we piece together these items and more analysis on the storylines then we can provide that.
I would echo Starviking's comment, some of the authors writing in the 1890s and even 1910s had some quite interesting concepts of what the future might hold. Cold War novels reflect the fears of the time, some mirror real-world events and others are speculative.
