Richard Hough Book order

Intro -- Battleship -- Introduction -- Acknowledgements -- Ark Royal -- Galleon, 1587, England -- Zeven Provincien -- Galleon, 1665, Holland -- Bonhomme Richard -- Frigate, 1766, USA -- Victory -- Ship-of-the-line, 1778, Britain -- Essex -- Frigate, 1799, USA -- Monitor -- Ironclad, 1862, USA -- Mikasa -- Battleship, 1902, Japan -- Von der Tann -- Battle cruiser, 1910, Germany -- Lion -- Battle cruiser, 1912, Britain -- Warspite -- Battleship, 1915, Britain -- Java -- Light cruiser, 1925, Netherlands -- Saratoga -- Aircraft carrier, 1927, USA -- Kelly -- Destroyer, 1939, Britain -- Bismarck -- Battleship, 1941, Germany -- New Jersey -- Battleship, 1943, USA -- Some Terms Explained -- Book List -- About the Author -- Also by Richard Hough -- Copyright.

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.

The narrative contrasts the grim realities of World War II with the vibrant atmosphere of peacetime California. The author recounts his experiences of the war, marked by unsanitary conditions and harsh living, before transitioning to a more glamorous life where he learns to fly and enjoys leisure time in Hollywood. This juxtaposition highlights the stark differences between the chaos of war and the allure of post-war life.

Focusing on significant naval engagements from the past century, the book provides a vivid reconstruction of battles, starting with the 1905 clash of ironclad fleets and extending to pivotal confrontations like Midway and Guadalcanal. Enhanced with illustrations, it offers readers a detailed and immersive look into maritime warfare history.

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.

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.

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.

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