Great War at Sea: 1914-1918 [Paperback]

Richard Hough (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001

The author of The Bounty argues here that it was the war at sea, rather than the more famous land battles, that decided the course of World War I. This masterful narrative covers both the grand strategy and war at the individual level.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

About the Author:
Richard Hough, a well-known naval historian, is author of the acclaimed The Fleet that Had to Die and numerous other books.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 354 pages
• Publisher: Birlinn; 2nd edition (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841580538
• ISBN-13: 978-1841580531
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,882,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic broadside for Naval history buffs, October 17, 2003

By 

Deos Volt (Finksburg, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great War at Sea: 1914-1918 (Paperback)

Mr Hough's account of the Sea War of World War I is masterful retelling of a subject that is not without controversy. His premise that the naval war between Great Britain and the German Empire was THE deciding factor of the Great War is supportable even if thereader might be hesitant to accept it. He opens a different view that addresses just about everything the naval historian can conjur up from dreadnaught design to internal politics in London and Berlin at a time when the USA could hardly be considered a significant military power, particularly at sea. Of particular interest if his examination of how the Royal Navy, torn by outdated traditions and political infighting, plagued by somewhat unimaginative officers, continued to rule the waves and provide the greatest Fleet victory since Trafalgar over the German High Seas Fleet.
Anyone with an interest in World War I, seapower, or general naval history can't go wrong with this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hits the High Points of WW1, July 8, 2007

By 

Readalots (South Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Great War at Sea: 1914-1918 (Paperback)

Richard Hough's "The Great War at Sea 1914-1918" (2000, 353 page paperback) presents the principal points of the First World War's naval history. With a plethora of battle maps, period black and white photos, 19 pages of endnotes, and a lengthy primary and secondary "for further reading" section the book is an informative read.

Hough tells his interesting story of the warring British and German navies with a docu-novel style. Many questions are answered while reviewing numerous historical theories. He speaks credibly from a wide variety of sources. Hough's precision primary source evaluation is of particular note. "The Great War and Sea" works diligently to present both the German and British sides of the first modern naval war.

This book is an overview of WW1's naval fight. Each of the major sea battles is briefly presented (with one chapter or less). Hough is intent on telling the complex story without belaboring history. This book is recommended to all who want an informed, if cursory, view of World War 1 at sea.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good survey course on the War At Sea...., August 3, 2010

By 

William Pilon (Roswell, GA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Great War at Sea, 1914-1918 (Oxford Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This was a good little book on the clash between the Royal Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine during WWI. The book, with fewer than 400 pages really isn't intended to be an exhaustive history, but more of a "survey course" and it succeeds admirably. The book starts with brief histories of both navies in the pre-war period, examines the men behind the fleets, and looks at the ships themselves. Hough emphasizes the lack of understanding sailors had for modern war. At the outbreak of the war, the Royal Navy had not fought a general fleet engagement in several generations and the Kaiserliche had never done so. As if that weren't enough, before WWI "dreadnought" had never fired a shot in anger, so no one really understood what to expect. Finally, there were the unknown capabilities of both airpower and submarines to factor into the equation.

The book also has chapters on German operations in the Pacific, the battle with U-Boats, actions in the Dardanelles and an extensive section of Jutland and its aftermath. The book closes with the ultimate British mastery of the U-Boat menace, and an examination of the part the naval war played in the Allied victory.

If I have a nit to pick with the book, it's that it isn't quite as comprehensive as its title would indicate. There is very little on any fleet other than the British or the German. The Russians, Americans, Italians, Austrians, Japanese et al are scarcely mentioned. There is virtually no discussion of the Mediterranean outside of the Dardanelles and the Goeben. On the other hand, the book was clear, well written and had just the right degree of detail for non-naval readers to understand what was going on, and why. Although it's not quite as good as Massie's outstanding Dreadnought and Castles of Steel, it is a heck of a lot shorter and more manageable. Highly recommended.