Richard Hough Books

The Navy almost finished the career of Britain’s greatest wartime leader. As a young minister responsible for the senior service from 1911, Churchill ruffled feathers and gave scant regard for the feelings of the admirals. When disaster struck in the First World War, it was the navy that led to his political downfall. But when he returned to power after years in the wilderness, the Royal Navy welcomed him with the cry, ‘Winston is back!’ From that point onwards, the successful pursuit of the war at sea remained his primary consideration. Within a few days of his return to the Admiralty, Churchill received a friendly overture from President Roosevelt, and there began a steady communication and friendship between the self-styled ‘Former Naval Person’ and the President of the United States, their differences subordinated in the pursuit of one shared winning the war. From a veteran naval historian comes the extraordinary and gripping story of Churchill’s stormy association with the navy and the sea, perfect for readers of Richard Overy and Jonathan Dimbleby.

Includes ships from the Nile craft of 3000 B.C. to the modern American aircraft carrier. Emphasizes that the fighting ship has always been not merely a weapon of war but a beautiful and intensely personal creation, possessing a supreme combination of functional and decorative qualities.

Tells the story of Mountbatten's command of the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla and the brand new "Kelly".

The victory of the Battle of Britain ranks with Marathon and the Marne as a decisive point in history. At the end of June 1940, with Europe overrun by the Germans, the Nazi war leaders knew that RAF fighter command had to be scheduled before the invasion of Britain could take place. This is the story of the few - the young men who fought with unsurpassed courage to defeat the Luftwaffe. They came from all walks of life, including a priceless element of pilots from the commonwealth as well as vengeful young men from the occupied nations of Europe. They endured fearful losses, but their gallantry, together with that of almost superhuman efforts of the ground crews and the ordinary citizens united the British people and caused the world to marvel.

This is an exciting and highly readable biography of James Cook, the last and greatest of the romantic navigators. It is full of new insights and interpretations of one of the world's greatest mariners.

Chronicling the life of Queen Victoria, this biography delves into her deep, passionate relationship with Prince Albert amidst the backdrop of Britain's industrial transformation. It highlights how their marriage reshaped societal norms, moving away from the reckless Hanoverian kings to a model family life with their nine children. The narrative reveals the couple's intense conflicts and reconciliations, showcasing Albert's significant influence on the nation's progress and their enduring love despite turbulent moments.