Brassey's Book of Naval Blunders

by Geoffrey Regan and Regan Geoffrey

Book Overview

Who was responsible for the design of the Admiral Popov, the circular Russian battleship that wouldn't steer straight? Why did Lord Ansonset out to circumnavigate the world with a crew of Chelsea... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1574882538
• ISBN13: 9781574882537
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Potomac Books
• Length: 187 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.5" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

OK for light reading

It's a fun read, as the title implies, but not to be confused with naval history. In fact, too often Mr. Regan seems to have edited out too much of the story, leaving me a bit perplexed. I found myself wishing there were fewer but longer entries. Nonetheless, the ride was worth the fare.

From circular warships to sheer incompetence - it's all here.

Geoffrey Regan is described as "Britain's premier authority on military disasters" and, with the word "Blunders" in several of the titles of his previous books, he is certainly well qualified to provide an accurate account of those that are part of the world's naval history. "The Brassey's Book of Naval Blunders" is a soft cover book measuring 9¾" x 7½" containing 182 pages of detailed information on various historic naval encounters from around the world. There is a good selection of supporting B & W photographs throughout. In an easy-to-read style of writing - and following a two-page introduction, the author commences with an account of the 18,000 mile journey of the Russian Fleet in 1905 and how two-thirds of that fleet were lost when they finally came up against the Japanese. Likening some of those involved to the Marx Brothers is an apt comparison and a good indication of what is to follow. Part I of the book is then divided in chapters headed "Lunatic Admirals" - in which we are treated to no fewer than 16 excellent tales to fit that particular heading, "Tale of a Tub" - 10 instances of ship design ranging from a circular battleship to vessels that torpedoed themselves, "The Price of Admiralty" - where all the ultimate life-costing decisions are made by the governments and civil-servants-in-uniform of the day, "A Life on the Ocean Wave" - 6 tales of life aboard ship, "Above us the Waves" - various tales of submarine design left wanting (including the dreadful K-class) and "That Sinking Feeling" - recounting the loss of several well known vessels including the Mary Rose and HMS Vanguard. Part II is simply headed "Case Studies" and is exactly that, the case studies of 22 important naval battles ranging from Drepana in 250 BC to Leyte Gulf in 1944. Whilst I had not previously heard of Drepana - I never realised how Leyte Gulf was such a close-run thing. Altogether, this is a fascinating book, an excellent read and the answer to an awful lot of questions about naval warfare in general, the outcome of several naval engagements in particular and the fate of certain specific ships.. NM