How useful are D. K. Brown's naval-technology books?
Short answerThey are excellent overviews, but individual conclusions still need checking against specifications and primary evidence.
NotesD. K. Brown's books are strong introductory overviews, although individual interpretations still need checking. Alex Clarke recalls asking Brown why Ark Royal was described as a carrier designed for the Pacific. In that recollection, the inference came from her resemblance to American and Japanese carriers. The design requirements included the Pacific among several possible theatres. A shared strike-carrier role offers another explanation for the resemblance, so appearance alone cannot settle the ship's intended theatre. An informed amateur can also identify evidence that a professional historian has missed.