A. Hilliard Atteridge surveys two and a half millennia of naval warfare, from the Athenian triumph over Persia at Salamis in 480 BC to the decisive Japanese victory over the Russian fleet at Tsushima in 1905. Each chapter reconstructs a landmark engagement — Actium, Lepanto, Trafalgar, the Nile, and others — analysing tactics, technology, and the personalities of the admirals who shaped the outcome.
Written for a popular audience with a keen eye for drama and detail, the book is an excellent introduction to the history of European and global sea power. Naval history enthusiasts will find each battle vividly brought to life.