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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not so much a book - more of an extended trilogy.,
By Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Story of HMS Revenge (Hardcover)
Three ships have borne the name HMS Revenge and each could not have been more different from its predecessor. The first was an Elizabethan 2nd Rate ship of the line built in Deptford in the 16th Century. The process for building this vessel was such that the oak was carefully selected, cut and allowed to season for some years before construction could even commence. With straight trees selected for planking and decking and bent trees skilfully chosen for deck supports and other curved features, it says much for this process of early shipbuilding that, during her last battle in 1591, the first HMS Revenge survived the attacks of no fewer than 15 Spanish warships simply because her timbers held fast when struck by enemy shot. Over 300 years later, such had been the change in ship design that the length of the original HMS Revenge was shorter than the width of the second ship to bear that name - a vessel which sported no fewer than eight 15 inch guns - the largest ever fitted to a ship of the Royal Navy. Number three was a Polaris nuclear submarine - as I say, each very different from her predecessor.
At first glance, one might ordinarily expect, therefore, this to be a book which simply tells the story of each ship - but not so. Instead, this is an extended trilogy which links each vessel together with the political and naval events of the day and of those - such as the defining naval encounter of all time, the Battle of Trafalgar, which occurred between the life of each vessel. In short, we are treated to the complete story of how each ship came about and of the changes which occurred in between the construction of each one. What I like, indeed admire, most about this work is author Alexander Stilwell's ability to encapsulate the current political situation and intrigue of the day into a most informative and relevant potted history thus providing the necessary backdrop against which each vessel was built. In short, this is a complete work and one which will stand the test of time as a remarkable literary and research achievement. Few people outside of the somewhat esoteric world of ships, shipping and shipwrecks are able to conceive that a factual account of any "real" ship - and in this case three ships, could be regarded as a darned good read. Without wishing to attempt any form of permanent conversion, I defy anyone who enjoys a good read, not to enjoy this work. It is informative, factually correct, often riveting and occasionally inspirational. What more could be asked of any book.. NM
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