I have an abiding admiration for Guernsey-born Admiral James Saumarez and in fact dedicate my upcoming book The Baltic Prize (out in November) to this Royal Navy officer. His first battle was against the American revolutionaries in 1775, thereafter his main opponents were the French and the Spanish, and the first fighting ship he commanded, the eight-gun galley Spitfire, was involved in forty-seven engagements before being run aground. Rising through the ranks, Saumarez fought on land and at sea. He was involved in actions in the English Channel, served in HMS Victory, took part in the Battle of Cape St Vincent, the Blockade of Cadiz, and was with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Promoted to Rear Admiral, he led his ships at the battles of Algeciras and the Gut of Gibraltar. Saumarez was then despatched into the Baltic, where he was crucial in keeping open Britain’s last vital trade route by an astute combination of diplomacy and a mailed fist. A fascinating biography of a hero by anyone’s.. Read more
Julian Stockwin action-adventure historical fiction
I have an abiding admiration for Guernsey-born Admiral James Saumarez and in fact dedicate my upcoming book The Baltic Prize (out in November) to this Royal Navy officer. His first battle was against the American revolutionaries in 1775, thereafter his main opponents were the French and the Spanish, and the first fighting ship he commanded, the eight-gun galley Spitfire, was involved in forty-seven engagements before being run aground. Rising through the ranks, Saumarez fought on land and at sea. He was involved in actions in the English Channel, served in HMS Victory, took part in the Battle of Cape St Vincent, the Blockade of Cadiz, and was with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Promoted to Rear Admiral, he led his ships at the battles of Algeciras and the Gut of Gibraltar. Saumarez was then despatched into the Baltic, where he was crucial in keeping open Britain’s last vital trade route by an astute combination of diplomacy and a mailed fist. A fascinating biography of a hero by anyone’s.. Read more
The most complete study of the naval war between Christians and Muslims in the Mediterranean. – A welcome translation of the masterly study of the rise of the Barbary corsairs by a professor at the Sorbonne – Highly Recommended.
Read the full review [link=http://reviews.firetrench.com/the-barbary-corsairs-warfare-in-the-mediterranean-1480-1580/#more-4360]here.[/link]
Firetrench
The most complete study of the naval war between Christians and Muslims in the Mediterranean. – A welcome translation of the masterly study of the rise of the Barbary corsairs by a professor at the Sorbonne – Highly Recommended.
Read the full review [link=http://reviews.firetrench.com/the-barbary-corsairs-warfare-in-the-mediterranean-1480-1580/#more-4360]here.[/link]
There are new ideas for modelers to be found in 24 pages of photos and this account of a less-famous aspect of the world at war as West met East in the U-boats’ happier days and enjoyed an exotic life ashore.
FineScale Modeler magazine, April 2017
There are new ideas for modelers to be found in 24 pages of photos and this account of a less-famous aspect of the world at war as West met East in the U-boats’ happier days and enjoyed an exotic life ashore.
I know, yet another book about the Battle of Jutland! I've lost track of how many books on Jutland have been issued or reissued to mark the centenary of the battle. Some have been better than others and this is one of the better volumes. In this book the author, Richard Osborne, draws on the words of the key players to examine the many disputes, controversies and myths that have surrounded this battle throughout the intervening 100 years. It contains a fairly straightforward account of the battle itself, but what makes this book different is that, wherever possible, the story of the battle is told through newspaper accounts, official documents and eyewitness accounts. What I found particularly interesting about this book was its examination of events after the battle was over. Press coverage of the battle was viewed around the world are fully investigated. There is no denying that the press was mishandled by the Admiralty following the battle and one long overdue result was the establishment.. Read more
Warship World, November – December 2016 - reviewed by PJS
I know, yet another book about the Battle of Jutland! I've lost track of how many books on Jutland have been issued or reissued to mark the centenary of the battle. Some have been better than others and this is one of the better volumes. In this book the author, Richard Osborne, draws on the words of the key players to examine the many disputes, controversies and myths that have surrounded this battle throughout the intervening 100 years. It contains a fairly straightforward account of the battle itself, but what makes this book different is that, wherever possible, the story of the battle is told through newspaper accounts, official documents and eyewitness accounts. What I found particularly interesting about this book was its examination of events after the battle was over. Press coverage of the battle was viewed around the world are fully investigated. There is no denying that the press was mishandled by the Admiralty following the battle and one long overdue result was the establishment.. Read more
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