Book Title:
Far Distant Ships
Author:
Quintin Barry
ISBN:
978-1-911512-14-1
Category:
History
Format:
Hardback
Summary:
I was pleasantly surprised by the book's contents after reading the dust cover. I expected a formulaic list of the actions during the blockade of Brest between the dates 1793 until 1815. Instead we are entertained to not only the actions, but the reasoning of the Admiralty over many years leading up to the period in question.
The machinations by various factions both in the Commons and Lords, and their attempted manipulation of the Sea lords and the Admirals placed under them.
We also get potted biographies of the main Commanders, and their Captains plus the friction arising amongst them. Then we also see how the arrangement of ships and squadrons fitted into the British and French Grand Strategy.
All in all a very enlightening and strangely entertaining book packed with excerpts from personal letters and official correspondence.
Probably not a book for a new comer to the period, but I would certainly recommend it to the serious gamer.

Rob.