The book, Iron Fleet: The Great Lakes in World War II examines the impact of World War II on the Great Lake's shipping industry.  The evolution of industry in the Great Lakes region during World War II was an important component of President Roosevelt's "arsenal of democracy".  "Iron Fleet: The Great Lakes in World War II" describes how all manner of companies within the manufacturing base were able to meet the enormous demands placed upon them at a time when failure to do so would have had a disastrous impact on the outcome of World War II.  During the years 1939 to 1945, twenty companies operated some 300 bulk freighters utilized in the transport of iron ore from mines in northern Minnesota and Michigan's upper peninsula to steel factories in Detroit, Gary, Pittsburgh and Youngstown.  The "arsenal of democracy" would have been but a hollow phrase had it not been for the manufacturing base's ability to quickly switch almost one hundred percent to the production of wartime materials.  The role that the great lakes shipping industry played in moving raw materials to manufacturing facilities and in turn the final products off to war in support of America's fifteen million servicemen in the armed forces and the nation's allies as well can not be underestimated.  "Iron Fleet: The Great Lakes in World War II" also explores the use of great lakes shipyards in the production of salt water civilian and military vessels, as well as, the role of passenger ships in the region played in providing vacation opportunities for weary war workers.  Also explored, were the precautions taken to protect the Soo Locks and other potential targets of potential sabotage.  The major sections of "Iron Fleet: The Great Lakes in World War II" are as follows: 1) Acknowledgments; 2) Abbreviations; 3) Introduction; 4) Chapter 1 - The Great Lakes on the Eve of War; 5) Chapter 2 - 1939-1941: The Coming Storm; 6) Chapter 3 - 1942-1945" Quotas and controversy; 7) Chapter 4 Protecting the Lakes; 8) Chapter 5 - The Manpower Crisis; 9) Chapter 6 - Wartime Construction; 10) Conclusion; 11) Appendix A: Bulk commodity Totals, 1905-1945; 12) Appendix B: Iron Ore Shipments, 1926-1945; 13) Appendix C: Bulk Commodity Shipments, 1926-1945; 14) Notes; 15) Bibliography and 16) Index.  In addition to an informative narrative, "Iron Fleet: The Great Lakes in World War II" includes approximately 26 black and white vintage photographs.  This book is 142 pages and is in new condition.  The author is George J. Joachim.  Edition published in 1994.