What book is a good starting point for understanding Hood and British capital-ship hull design?
Short answerNorman Friedman's work on British battleships is the recommended starting point.
NotesThe hull-design question behind Hood's classification concerns the differences between battleships and battlecruisers. Norman Friedman's work on British battleships is the recommended starting point. Existing battlecruiser videos provide another introduction, while Friedman is the preferred guide to British capital-ship design.