In WWI WSC was the first Lord of the Admiralty until late 1915 and in WWII from September 1939 until April 1940. this book deals mostly with the period 1912 to 1915. Peter Gretton deals with the manpower reforms and Churchill's work in continuing the Fisher reforms associated with the concentration of the fleet in Home waters. only in the last fifth of the book do we turn to Churchill's relationship with his navy in 1940 to 45.
Peter Gretton was chiefly an escort group commander, and views WSC from the battle of the Atlantic perspective. Twice read. ( )