Well done

Version of Jutland that deftly pulls the time before and after, ships, admirals & controversy threads together for the reader. I've read Massie's chapters on the battle over many times and this book truly augmented Jutland appreciably more for me.

5 people found this helpful

Tedious account

Officious, excruciatingly fastidious analysis of Jutland battle. Lots of good information intermingled with exaustingly detailed statistics.

This boring audio not recommended.

4 people found this helpful

Compelling read

This is a fascinating book, rich in detail which paints a complete picture of both the battle as well as the personalities involved. It’s a long read, but well worth the effort for anyone interested in this period of history. I was never bored.

3 people found this helpful

Wonderful Book

Well told story it is eminently readable and the narrator is outstanding. I highly recommend this book. For a full story if the Great War at Sea, read Castles of Steel by Robert Massie.

3 people found this helpful

A well choreographed and thorough examination

Nick Jellicoe has taken a neutral perspective and delivered a history without personal agenda that few could manage. The few times he interjects his own thoughts it is explained and supported, truly leaving the lessons to be taken away in the hands of the reader.
Beyond that, his access to otherwise inaccessible documents and correspondence sheds some real light on the characters and personalities involved (on both sides of the conflict).
Truly a superb read and the narrator knocked it out of the park

2 people found this helpful

Informational But Dry

If you are like me and like your history, but also prefer first hand accounts, and the human experience then I cannot fully recommend. Good info on the subject, but a dry telling, with very few quotes of personal experiences.

Great book.

I highly recommend this book. Full of great information. The voice actor does a great job.

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Excellent Objective Look at Jutland

An excellent account of the events preceeding, proceeding, and during the Battle of Jutland. One can tell that Adm. Sir John Jellicoe's Grandson, Nick, received both his intellect and attentiveness to detail from his Grandfather. This gives the backstory leading up to Jutland, and what caused Imperial Germany and Britain to clash on 31 May thru 1 June 1916. It goes into great detail about the actual battle, dismissing a bevy of notions held about the timidity of Jellicoe and the superioity of Adm Sir David Beatty.

It does, at times, seem winded. However, there was a lot of humanity in this novel that surfaced, mainly about the horrid conditions below deck and the ferocity of the fighting.

All and all, worth the read.

best book on Jutland

I love naval history and this is one of the best. Jutland was a complex battle and it is difficult to listen to the events and keep tract of all that is going on, there is almost too much information. It would be like me writing in detail how to take a gall bladder out to a person with no knowledge of anatomy or surgical technique. But Mr. Jellicoe has a website that is wonderful in looking visually at what was going on. Where this book really shines is the discussion of the lead admirals and their biographies and the transformation of both English and German navies to the 20th century.. Also of great interest is the discussion of the faults in the British Navy and problems with projectiles, handling of explosives, and ship construction dealing with armor.

So if you are interested in this battle and its consequences as to how the rest of WW1, I highly recommend it. Do not get discouraged by the detail of the battle and do use the web page set up by the Nick Jellicoe.