Naval reference books beyond Jane's Fighting Ships

Which naval reference books do you recommend, and is Jane's Fighting Ships reliable?

Use Jane's cautiously and supplement it with Norman Friedman's technical histories, John Roberts's design work, and specialized operational collections.

Jane's Fighting Ships is treated as something to question rather than a final authority. Norman Friedman's books on carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, and naval weapons provide stronger technical interpretation. John Roberts's work, including British Warship Design, is also strongly recommended. For Pacific carrier operations, E. T. Wooldridge's Carrier Warfare in the Pacific is another useful collection.