In Which They Served by Lavery, Brian published by Conway Maritime Press (2009) [Paperback]

by Brian Lavery

Brian Lavery's extensively researched study takes an in-depth look at the officers of the Royal Navy and the various routes they took from initial recruitment and training to their role in the fighting. The first half of the book looks at the selection and training of all types of officers, from experienced yachtsmen and tradesmen to ordinary seamen, and includes a chapter on the training establishment where recruits were prepared for war. The book then follows various recruits into service on board ships. Quotes from well-known actors, writers, and entertainers--John Mills, Alec Guinness, and Evelyn Waugh, among others--show how important their wartime service was to their subsequent careers.

Genres: War

Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Brian Lavery is a British naval historian, author, and Curator Emeritus at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.

Reviews

[David Vernon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solidly researched book which has some fascinating insights into how the British Navy expanded itself during WW2. It clearly showed the ridiculous class system in operation and how the RN lost out on employing many good men because of it. My one disappointment was that the book followed only newly enlisted men and had little or no information on those who were already officers. Nevertheless, this is a highly readable history.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read