Considering the short length of the book (159 pp) this is an incredibly detailed look at the Royal Navy rising to the challenge of the French Revolutionary War, a war we did not choose. All manner of aspects are studied - shipbuilding and repair, armament, manning, life on board a wooden wall, victualling etc. Jessop usefully reminds us of the way the naval war impacted the lives of people far removed from actual sea service, in farm and forest and manufactory. We see how the naval war reached deep into the life of our country in all sorts of ways. All of this is backed up by very deep research and informed by the author's own RN sea service. It includes what are in effect monographs on, for instance, the Press and the surgeon and his role. Somehow the whole sweep is crammed in from the diplomatic, political and strategic to the logistical, with excellently clear accounts of major actions like St Vincent and the Nile. Read the full review [link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/1526720337/ref=acr_dpproductdetail_text?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1]here[/link]
Amazon Customer, Robert Griffiths

The authors, John Lambert and Al Ross, firmly established and recognised authorities on small warships have included a remarkable body of information, together with their finely detailed drawings, redrawn from the original builder's plans, to offer the reader an unparalleled view of these remarkable vessels.
Model Boats, March 2019 – reviewed by John Deamer

This 2019 version continues to be a must read for both naval historians and warship modellers alike.
Model Boats, March 2019 – reviewed by John Deamer

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