Customer Reviews
Something stops this from being 5 stars for me... - By: J. Duducu, 12 May 2008 
First things first, it's all here! Maybe that's a problem, whether you want to know about recruitment systems, pay, battles or ship design it's allin this book. They are all discussedin great depth & length. This book "does exactly what it says on the tin" (to quote an advert) & if it's British & floated during this period it's discussedin this doorstop of a book. The research is first class & the explanations are always lucid.
My other nagging concern is this is the pinnacle of the greatest maritime power the world has ever seen. Epic battles, great exploration, larger than life characters- it should be fun, exciting, breathless. Instead, while the style isn't turgid, it lacks the zest & narrative style needed to suck the reader into the moment Nelson is shot or the battle at Quiberon bay.
The more I think about it, the more I think that that's the issue. The style is too consistent, discussing the evolution of the ships of the line is important but it shouldn't be written the same way as era defining battles on the sea where great empires clash for world supremacy.
So this is a very well researched book & if you want to know everything about this period then this is the book for you but be warned that while it can make the dry areas interesting the same style can make the interesting areas a bit dry.
Well written and dispells many myths - By: G. WILLIAMS, 03 Jan 2008 
I picked up this bookin Portsmouth after having realised I knew next to nothing about the true history of the Navy (apart from Nelson). This book was a delight, alternating between the naval history, the social background & technical developments. The one bit that really grabbed me was the role of Samuel Pepysin the Royal Navy. Also, the author goes into a few myths & errors that previous historians have introducesin their books, which shows how well researched the book is. I am now going to get the earlier bookin the series to see where it all began.
Excellent! - By: Doctor Syn, 25 Jul 2007 Superbly researched & very well written book concerning possibly the most important periodin the development of the British nation.
This is how history books should be written.
A fine absorbing book - By: Mr. John B. Macmillan, 02 Mar 2007 This is one of the most absorbing history books I have read. The author covers not only naval operations but the politics, the financing, the organisation the social backgound & the economic effect of the Britain's navy. His style is clear & easy to read & not without humour.
Brilliant at sea, but also good all round - By: Alex Clarke, 30 Dec 2006 This is a brilliant book to read for anyone, whether they are a professional historian, or just as a passing fancy.
It highlights not just the military side of the period, but also the social & political aspects of it, portraying the personalities of the period with the utmost accuracy. There are also some fundamental points madein this book which although complex, are explained so well that they will improve any readers understanding of the period.
