Throughout Britain's history, one factor above all others has determined the fate of the nation: its navy. N. A. M. Rodger's definitive account reveals how the political and social progress of Britain has been inextricably intertwined with the strength - and weakness - of its sea power, from the desperate early campaigns against the Vikings to the defeat of the great Spanish Armada. Covering policy, strategy, ships, recruitment and weapons, this is a superb tapestry of nearly 1,000 years of maritime history.

'No other historian has examined the subject in anything like the detail found here. The result is an outstanding example of narrative history' Barry Unsworth, Sunday Telegraph

About the Author
N.A.M. Rodger is Professor of Naval History at Exeter University and Anderson Senior Research Fellow, National Maritime Museum. He is the author of The Wooden World and The Admiralty. The second volume of his naval history of Britain, The Command of the Ocean, is published this month by Allen Lane.

Reviews
A splendid book -- Patrick O'Brian * Daily Telegraph *
Breathtaking ... a masterpiece -- Geoffrey Parker * The New York Times Book Review *
The importance of this book is not only in its intrinsic interest, or its usefulness as a superb resource, but its demonstration that this island's story cannot be told without a thorough knowledge of what happened at sea. The book teems with insights ... It is a serious contribution to our history -- Alan Judd * The Sunday Times *
Remarkable ... will be read and reread in the years ahead ... I strongly recommend it -- Admiral Sir Jock Slater * The Times *
Stunning ... One of the most erudite, well-written and intellectually impressive works on British history of the past decade ... There is nothing quite like it, in fact, nothing remotely approaching it -- Paul Kennedy * Observer *
An outstanding example of narrative history -- Sunday Telegraph * Barry Unsworth *



Book Information
ISBN 9780140297249
Author N A M Rodger
Format Paperback
Page Count 720
Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 520g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 130mm * 36mm