Overview

Focusing on seven decisive naval engagements from the Greek defeat of the Persians at Salamis in the fifth century BC to the Siege of Malta during the Second World War, this book tells the story of the Mediterranean as a theatre of war at sea. Each of these fiercely fought battles were to change the balance of power and shape the course of history. Before telling the story of each battle in detail the history of the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean and the effect of the development of naval architecture and design on the outcomes is outlined: Lepanto was the last major battle fought between galleys; Navarino was the last major battle to be fought entirely by sailing ships; and Cape Matapan (where a young Duke of Edinburgh saw action) was the first operation to exploit the breaking of the Italian naval Enigma codes. The battles included are: Salamis (480 BC), Actium (31 BC), Lepanto (1571), the Nile (aka Aboukir Bay, 1798), Navarino (1827), Cape Matapan 1941 and the Siege of Malta 1940-42. AUTHOR: Dr Quentin Russell is a historian, writer and producer. He holds a PhD in 19th century Anglo-Greek relations. He was part of the writing and production team on Exposure: the Musical (2016) and his TV documentary, An Exile in Paradise: The Adventures of Edward Lear in Greece and Albania, which was broadcast internationally, won the New York Festival's Arts Silver Medal in 2009. His previous publications include Ali Pasha, Lion of Ioannina: the Remarkable Life of the Balkan Napoleon (2017) for Pen and Sword and an essay on Lear's travels as a painter of the Balkans (1848-9) in the prestigious British Art Journal. 20 illustrations

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9781526715999

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Reviews

The strongest aspect of the book is Russell's ability to humanize his narrative, bringing out the human aspects behind the major naval battles and technological advancements of very different eras. This is particularly important today, as science struggles with negationist and other retrograde and negative concepts of society. Readers can expect a humanistic, but also deeply researched analysis of naval battles. -- The Northern Mariner The book is well put together, with frequent illustrations of both ship models and period artwork that render otherwise abstract ships with physicality and clarity. -- Journal of Military History Quentin Russell has given us a well-written and informative book that is accessible to any student of naval history...a fine survey of the major engagements that shaped a critical region and, in turn, the wider world. -- Sea History Magazine

Quentin Russell has given us a well-written and informative book that is accessible to any student of naval history...a fine survey of the major engagements that shaped a critical region and, in turn, the wider world. -- Sea History Magazine

Author Information

Dr Quentin Russell is a historian, writer and producer. He holds a PhD in 19th century Anglo-Greek relations. He was part of the writing and production team on Exposure: the Musical (2016) and his TV documentary, An Exile in Paradise: The Adventures of Edward Lear in Greece and Albania, which was broadcast internationally, won the New York Festival's Arts Silver Medal in 2009\. His previous publications include Ali Pasha, Lion of Ioannina: the Remarkable Life of the Balkan Napoleon (2017) for Pen and Sword and an essay on Lear's travels as a painter of the Balkans (1848-9) in the prestigious British Art Journal.

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