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Jutland: The Unfinished Battle
“A compelling, dramatic account of the Royal Navy's last great sea battle.” —Robert K. Massie, Pulitzer Prize–winning and New York Times–bestselling author of Dreadnought More than a century later, historians still argue about this controversial and misunderstood World War I naval battle off the coast of Denmark. It was the twentieth century’s first engagement of dreadnoughts—and while it left Britain in control of the North Sea, both sides claimed victory and decades of disputes followed, revolving around senior commanders Admiral Sir John Jellicoe and Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty. This book not only retells the story of the battle from both a British and German perspective based on the latest research, but also helps clarify the context of Germany’s inevitable naval clash and the aftermath after the smoke had cleared.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2016
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158 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Jellicoe
6 books3 followersNicholas Charles Joseph John Jellicoe is a British military history writer and retired corporate executive. His father, George Jellicoe, commanded the Special Boat Service during World War II. His grandfather, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, commanded the British Royal Navy's Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland during World War I.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 28, 2018
It's obvious Nick will take the side of filial loyalty in the Beatty-Jellicoe debate, yet that does not mean his book is discriminatingly partisan. Grandfather gets the benefit of the doubt as the man who makes the best decision avaliable in that tiny 10 minute window when the Grand Fleet needs to deploy to have the Hochseeflotte cross the T. The bitterness comes afterward:
"Where Jellicoe naturally tried to understand the lesson of Jutland, Beatty became increasingly concerned with his image and career. To this he sacrificed any relationship he built to that point with Jellicoe.
The long-standing arguments in the Jutland controversies are intertwined with a battle narrative that can hold its own against both Gordon and Konstam*. It follows the traditional structure with the runs to North and South, the better to revisit the classic mistakes under debate. The Lion's unclear signal sits within the larger context of communication mishaps in the fog of battle. The battle cruiser action, in combination with the 15 inch contribution of Evan-Thomas' 5th Squadron, is condemned starkly for its failure to lure the German fleet in its entirety into Jellicoe's jaw. Apart from Goodenough, cooperation between senior commanders is hindered by prima donna impulses.
The book contains so much more than Jutland with an extra director's commentary, however.
- The final chapter discusses in unrivaled detail the interbellum historiography by admirals on both sides... and Churchill. Sadly, Von Sheer died before he could accept Jellicoe's 1935 invitation. What a book that could've been born out of such a respectful collaboration!
- Jellicoe's family anecdotes are delightful, in the way that only the British upper class such as lady Antonia Fraser can deliver.
- The footnotes contain a wealth of extra stories and technical details. Some are a bit bizarre, such as the repeated statement that the German range finder screen was more accurate but its British counterpart strained the eye less.
- The specially commissioned maps are superb - I will print them to insert copies in other Jutland canon. A wealth of detailed info is avaliable on his http://www.jutland1916.com/ and he refers repeatedly to relevant sections.
- As regards the eyewitness accounts, Peter Hart* is a main source of inspiration (deservedly so), but human memory will be proven wrong by the physical remains of the sunken ships when appropriate.
WORKS CITED
Jutland 1916: Death in the Grey Wastes by Peter Hart
Jutland 1916: The Archaeology of a Naval Battlefield by Innes Mccartney
Jutland 1916: Twelve Hours That Decided The Great War by Angus Konstam
The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Commandby Gilbert Andrew Hugh Gordon
"Where Jellicoe naturally tried to understand the lesson of Jutland, Beatty became increasingly concerned with his image and career. To this he sacrificed any relationship he built to that point with Jellicoe.
The long-standing arguments in the Jutland controversies are intertwined with a battle narrative that can hold its own against both Gordon and Konstam*. It follows the traditional structure with the runs to North and South, the better to revisit the classic mistakes under debate. The Lion's unclear signal sits within the larger context of communication mishaps in the fog of battle. The battle cruiser action, in combination with the 15 inch contribution of Evan-Thomas' 5th Squadron, is condemned starkly for its failure to lure the German fleet in its entirety into Jellicoe's jaw. Apart from Goodenough, cooperation between senior commanders is hindered by prima donna impulses.
The book contains so much more than Jutland with an extra director's commentary, however.
- The final chapter discusses in unrivaled detail the interbellum historiography by admirals on both sides... and Churchill. Sadly, Von Sheer died before he could accept Jellicoe's 1935 invitation. What a book that could've been born out of such a respectful collaboration!
- Jellicoe's family anecdotes are delightful, in the way that only the British upper class such as lady Antonia Fraser can deliver.
- The footnotes contain a wealth of extra stories and technical details. Some are a bit bizarre, such as the repeated statement that the German range finder screen was more accurate but its British counterpart strained the eye less.
- The specially commissioned maps are superb - I will print them to insert copies in other Jutland canon. A wealth of detailed info is avaliable on his http://www.jutland1916.com/ and he refers repeatedly to relevant sections.
- As regards the eyewitness accounts, Peter Hart* is a main source of inspiration (deservedly so), but human memory will be proven wrong by the physical remains of the sunken ships when appropriate.
WORKS CITED
Jutland 1916: Death in the Grey Wastes by Peter Hart
Jutland 1916: The Archaeology of a Naval Battlefield by Innes Mccartney
Jutland 1916: Twelve Hours That Decided The Great War by Angus Konstam
The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Commandby Gilbert Andrew Hugh Gordon
January 1, 2017
I read this book “Jutland The Unfinished Battle” by Nicholas Jellico as part of my World War I reading project. This is one of the few World War I naval actions I have read about. This battle took place 31 May and 1 June 1916 off the coast of Denmark. The combat involved steam propulsion, iron hulls, armor plate, gunfire control, explosive shells, advanced mines and most important rapid fire, long-barrel, turret-mounted, large- caliber, long- range naval guns. The goal of the battle for Germany was to brake the century-long dominance of the sea by the British. The Germans failed to do so.
I noted with great interest that the author is related to Admiral John Rushworth Jellicoe (1859-1935). At the Battle of Jutland, Admiral Jellicoe was commander of the Grand Fleet. His handling of the fleet was controversial, but he made no serious mistakes during the battle. The Grand Fleet consisted of 151 ships. The battle was the largest clash of dreadnoughts during WWI. The German fleet disengaged from the battle and retreated to port. The German High Seas Fleet was commanded by Admiral Reinhard Scheer and consisted of 99 ships. The British public thought Jellicoe should have destroyed the German Fleet. Admiral Jellicoe later on in WWI introduced the convoys to get supply ships past the U-boats. Admiral Jellicoe pushed for the modernizing of the naval ships and was a proponent of the gunnery fire control systems and the Dreyer’s fire control table for computing firing solutions for the ships’ guns.
The author focuses on Admiral Jellicoe and the British Battle Cruiser Fleet Vice Admiral David Beatty. Jellicoe uses charts and diagrams to illustrate the details of the 12-hour battle. 14 British ships and 11 German ships were sunk. Jellicoe states the main reason the British, despite greater numbers, failed to achieve a decisive victory was the poor communications between Jellicoe and Beatty during the actions. The author covers this in great detail. He points out a similar communications problem occurred with the United States Navy during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II. The author claims the tension between Admiral Jellicoe and Beatty was the reason the German Fleet escaped Jellicoe’s trap.
The book is well written and researched. The book contains maps and illustrations as well as photographs to help with the understanding of the battle. The book 402 pages and published in 2016 by the Naval Institute Press.
I noted with great interest that the author is related to Admiral John Rushworth Jellicoe (1859-1935). At the Battle of Jutland, Admiral Jellicoe was commander of the Grand Fleet. His handling of the fleet was controversial, but he made no serious mistakes during the battle. The Grand Fleet consisted of 151 ships. The battle was the largest clash of dreadnoughts during WWI. The German fleet disengaged from the battle and retreated to port. The German High Seas Fleet was commanded by Admiral Reinhard Scheer and consisted of 99 ships. The British public thought Jellicoe should have destroyed the German Fleet. Admiral Jellicoe later on in WWI introduced the convoys to get supply ships past the U-boats. Admiral Jellicoe pushed for the modernizing of the naval ships and was a proponent of the gunnery fire control systems and the Dreyer’s fire control table for computing firing solutions for the ships’ guns.
The author focuses on Admiral Jellicoe and the British Battle Cruiser Fleet Vice Admiral David Beatty. Jellicoe uses charts and diagrams to illustrate the details of the 12-hour battle. 14 British ships and 11 German ships were sunk. Jellicoe states the main reason the British, despite greater numbers, failed to achieve a decisive victory was the poor communications between Jellicoe and Beatty during the actions. The author covers this in great detail. He points out a similar communications problem occurred with the United States Navy during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II. The author claims the tension between Admiral Jellicoe and Beatty was the reason the German Fleet escaped Jellicoe’s trap.
The book is well written and researched. The book contains maps and illustrations as well as photographs to help with the understanding of the battle. The book 402 pages and published in 2016 by the Naval Institute Press.
January 30, 2018
Nick Jellicoe has a fair take on the battle, its key players and aftermath while confining discussion of the more erudite or technical points to box-outs that the casual reader can skip if (s)he wishes. (But is a casual reader going to pick up a book of this size?)
Despite the name he takes an admirably even-handed approach to what he calls the 'unfinished battle,' or what might equally be called the 'Second Battle of Jutland' - the unneccessary, vitriolic and destructive dispute between supporters of Admirals Jellicoe and Beatty which rumbles on still. While neither finished the day smelling of violets, when boiled down to essentials both did what they had to do. We should also hesitate to pass judgement from comfort, safety, hindsight and a different century's values on people who had none of those things.
Stepping away from my soapbox and back to the book, the biographical sections might have been organised a bit better (illustrated with timelines perhaps?) and it would have been good to see a little more prominence given to German use of metal cartidge cases and the story of the British submarines trying to intercept the returning High Seas Fleet. These are minor quibbles however.
Despite the name he takes an admirably even-handed approach to what he calls the 'unfinished battle,' or what might equally be called the 'Second Battle of Jutland' - the unneccessary, vitriolic and destructive dispute between supporters of Admirals Jellicoe and Beatty which rumbles on still. While neither finished the day smelling of violets, when boiled down to essentials both did what they had to do. We should also hesitate to pass judgement from comfort, safety, hindsight and a different century's values on people who had none of those things.
Stepping away from my soapbox and back to the book, the biographical sections might have been organised a bit better (illustrated with timelines perhaps?) and it would have been good to see a little more prominence given to German use of metal cartidge cases and the story of the British submarines trying to intercept the returning High Seas Fleet. These are minor quibbles however.
December 4, 2021
Big guns go boom once again, with yet another book on a battle that somehow gets portrayed as inconclusive despite having one of the highest casualty figures of 20th century naval encounters.
While it is a slow and dull preamble to the battle, the description of Jutland itself is probably the clearest I have read. There's also a half hearted defence of Jellicoe's tenure as First Sea Lord, but no one's really going to consider that period a high point in his career.
Obviously there's a bit of presumed bias with the author, but he credits Beatty at length with a manoeuvre that I don't really recall being covered in other books (bending the line in the Run to the North).
It's not the definitive book as to the debates (to the extent there is still really is any - Beatty's reputation has suffered since the initial interwar furore), for example Sturdee's proposed deployment of the Grand Fleet isn't sufficiently explained, but it's the easiest for understanding the battle.
While it is a slow and dull preamble to the battle, the description of Jutland itself is probably the clearest I have read. There's also a half hearted defence of Jellicoe's tenure as First Sea Lord, but no one's really going to consider that period a high point in his career.
Obviously there's a bit of presumed bias with the author, but he credits Beatty at length with a manoeuvre that I don't really recall being covered in other books (bending the line in the Run to the North).
It's not the definitive book as to the debates (to the extent there is still really is any - Beatty's reputation has suffered since the initial interwar furore), for example Sturdee's proposed deployment of the Grand Fleet isn't sufficiently explained, but it's the easiest for understanding the battle.
April 27, 2016
Jellicoe's magisterial study is as engaging as it is erudite, something which will enchant both the scholar and the general reader. The student of the battle will find brilliant, highly detailed commentary and analysis from the grandson of "that" Jellicoe, while the more casual reader will find lots of intriguing information about the last great conflict of the battle cruisers and "battleships" ( or dreadnoughts, if you prefer! ) When you've read JUTLAND, you'll immediately put it on your bookshelf so you can find it again...and again! Bravo!
October 5, 2016
An excellent history of the Battle of Jutland, including both the historical lead up to the battle, and the recriminations and fudging that came after.
Despite the author's very personal connection, I felt that he generally took a reasonably fair approach when critiquing Admiral Jellicoe's actions, which was quite impressive in itself.
Despite the author's very personal connection, I felt that he generally took a reasonably fair approach when critiquing Admiral Jellicoe's actions, which was quite impressive in itself.
March 20, 2018
Some interesting personal notes but very little that was new - Andrew Gordon's The Rules of the Game remains the one to beat
February 28, 2021
In some ways content wise it is a 4, but there are some issues that mean I can’t give it more than 3
If you have never read a book on Jutland this will do a splendid job for you.
If you still have it in your head that at Jutland Beatty was the hero and Jellicoe a villain - you really need to read this for a summary of the updated thinking.
If the post battle vitriolic propaganda war about the battle might interest you - this is a definite winner.
As someone who has read so many of the Jutland books - the first 70% of the book told me nothing new - I’d definitely say some others I have on my shelves were a better read (PM me for a recommendation or two)
The real thing that upset me was the ongoing and easily fixable nightmare of apostrophes. I believe this book had a professional publisher - if so they should be utterly ashamed.
It isn’t even that you can say the author has no idea how to use apostrophes - he clearly does. The real nightmare is with Scheer. For some reason, the author, his editor or his proof reader have a blind spot for this one.
Perhaps it happened in transferring from print to kindle - I am reviewing the kindle version - maybe the print version is fine.
On the same page you will read Hipper’s ships; Beatty’s ships and Scheers ships.
It makes no sense. A simple find and replace will correct the 500 errors of this kind in a second. There were some other editing bug bears - but I don’t want to nitpick
A solid book that could have been better
If you have never read a book on Jutland this will do a splendid job for you.
If you still have it in your head that at Jutland Beatty was the hero and Jellicoe a villain - you really need to read this for a summary of the updated thinking.
If the post battle vitriolic propaganda war about the battle might interest you - this is a definite winner.
As someone who has read so many of the Jutland books - the first 70% of the book told me nothing new - I’d definitely say some others I have on my shelves were a better read (PM me for a recommendation or two)
The real thing that upset me was the ongoing and easily fixable nightmare of apostrophes. I believe this book had a professional publisher - if so they should be utterly ashamed.
It isn’t even that you can say the author has no idea how to use apostrophes - he clearly does. The real nightmare is with Scheer. For some reason, the author, his editor or his proof reader have a blind spot for this one.
Perhaps it happened in transferring from print to kindle - I am reviewing the kindle version - maybe the print version is fine.
On the same page you will read Hipper’s ships; Beatty’s ships and Scheers ships.
It makes no sense. A simple find and replace will correct the 500 errors of this kind in a second. There were some other editing bug bears - but I don’t want to nitpick
A solid book that could have been better
March 28, 2021
Nick Jellicoe's Jutland: The Unfinished Battle: A Personal History of a Naval Controversy is quite an interesting read; it's a look at the World War I naval battle from the perspective of the grandson of the commander of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet. I didn't know quite what to expect objectivity-wise given the author's relationship to one of the controversial figures of the Battle of Jutland, but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't an issue; to some extent, it is a defense of Admiral Jellicoe but in some form or fashion, an honest assessment of the battle is going to come to defend Jellicoe from some of what was said after the battle. Nick Jellicoe does a wonderful job of giving the reader some biographical background on Jellicoe, Beatty, Scheer, and Hipper, the British and German commanders at Jutland. Knowing about their backgrounds and careers up to the battle helps you understand their decision-making processes. In the process, he also gives you an idea of how the two navies have built up their fleets and what the service philosophies are. He then gives a detailed account of the actual battle, explaining what happened and the controversy that surrounded it and its outcome. He closes out the book with a historiography of what was written after the battle and the war had ended. I think some prior knowledge of World War I, the Battle of Jutland, and Jutland's place in the war is somewhat of a prerequisite for this book, but for those with an interest in Jutland or naval history in general, I think that it would be a fascinating read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 3, 2019
Jutland - A Epic Battle Still Cloaked In Controversy
The grandson of Admiral Jellicoe, Nick Jellicoe wrote this book about the Naval Battle of Jutland in 1916. The book starts with the transformation of the British Navy to a Modern Force. It also chronicles the building of the German Navy. I had heard about the Naval Engagement but was unaware of the details especially the controversy concerning the actions of the British Admirals Jellicoe and Beatty that still swirl around a 100 years later.
I learned a great deal about the ships of that era, the tactics employed and the difficulties encountered by both the British and the Germany Fleets due to the severe weather in the North Sea.
Nick Jellicoe gives an even handed treatment of the battle and its aftermath even though he is related to Admiral Jellicoe. I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy reading about battles on the high seas.
The grandson of Admiral Jellicoe, Nick Jellicoe wrote this book about the Naval Battle of Jutland in 1916. The book starts with the transformation of the British Navy to a Modern Force. It also chronicles the building of the German Navy. I had heard about the Naval Engagement but was unaware of the details especially the controversy concerning the actions of the British Admirals Jellicoe and Beatty that still swirl around a 100 years later.
I learned a great deal about the ships of that era, the tactics employed and the difficulties encountered by both the British and the Germany Fleets due to the severe weather in the North Sea.
Nick Jellicoe gives an even handed treatment of the battle and its aftermath even though he is related to Admiral Jellicoe. I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy reading about battles on the high seas.
September 4, 2020
Should it say, "The Unfinished summary?"
Nick Jellicoe's account of the Battle of Jutland, and the circumstances before and after makes a fine read. It perhaps feels to this reader that the Battle account itself is short in relation to the rest of the book, but that was the authors choice.
Jellicoe has tried to give an unbiased account and has largely succeeded; it was down to an accompanying tv documentary to really give editorial to David Beatty's changing of pertinent details years after the Battle, to show him and the battlecruisers in a better light at John Jellicoe's expense.
Or perhaps not - the book is so rich in text, quotes, and information that it's difficult to process it all.
Most enjoyable, nonetheless.
Nick Jellicoe's account of the Battle of Jutland, and the circumstances before and after makes a fine read. It perhaps feels to this reader that the Battle account itself is short in relation to the rest of the book, but that was the authors choice.
Jellicoe has tried to give an unbiased account and has largely succeeded; it was down to an accompanying tv documentary to really give editorial to David Beatty's changing of pertinent details years after the Battle, to show him and the battlecruisers in a better light at John Jellicoe's expense.
Or perhaps not - the book is so rich in text, quotes, and information that it's difficult to process it all.
Most enjoyable, nonetheless.
December 1, 2019
Awesome book
This rare book written by the grand son of of WW1. I agree with the author was given a raw deal. The Problem was the Royal Navy hyped the idea that war could be won in the afternoon and both Beatty and Jellicoe expected to win. The conditions had to right, the results were a draw.
This rare book written by the grand son of of WW1. I agree with the author was given a raw deal. The Problem was the Royal Navy hyped the idea that war could be won in the afternoon and both Beatty and Jellicoe expected to win. The conditions had to right, the results were a draw.
August 31, 2020
Jellicoe on Jellicoe
At first I had the impression that this book would try to be a biased work intended to shore up the family name of Jellicoe. However by the time I was done with it, I found it to be a reasonably balanced and detailed review of this great battle over 100 years ago. A good read for anyone interested in specifics of the battle and the aftermath.
At first I had the impression that this book would try to be a biased work intended to shore up the family name of Jellicoe. However by the time I was done with it, I found it to be a reasonably balanced and detailed review of this great battle over 100 years ago. A good read for anyone interested in specifics of the battle and the aftermath.
May 3, 2021
Jutland - Battle of History
After reading this book, it seems a very interesting aspect of historical debate continues to this day. The debate over the British fleet actions at Jutland is explained very well in this book.
Ｔｈｅ ａｃｔｉｏｎ ｉｔｓｅｌｆ ｉｓ ｗｅｌｌ ｄｏｃｕｍｅｎｔｅｄ． Ｔｈｅｒｅ ｗａｓ a lot ｏｆ ｔｙｐｏｓ ｉｎ ｔｈｉｓ Ｋｉｎｄｌｅ ｖｅｒｓｉｏｎ． Ｉ ｒｅｃｃｏｍｅｎｄ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｏｋ， ｆｏｒ Ｇｒｅａｔ Ｗａｒ ｅｎｔｈｕｓｉａｓｔｓ．
After reading this book, it seems a very interesting aspect of historical debate continues to this day. The debate over the British fleet actions at Jutland is explained very well in this book.
Ｔｈｅ ａｃｔｉｏｎ ｉｔｓｅｌｆ ｉｓ ｗｅｌｌ ｄｏｃｕｍｅｎｔｅｄ． Ｔｈｅｒｅ ｗａｓ a lot ｏｆ ｔｙｐｏｓ ｉｎ ｔｈｉｓ Ｋｉｎｄｌｅ ｖｅｒｓｉｏｎ． Ｉ ｒｅｃｃｏｍｅｎｄ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｏｋ， ｆｏｒ Ｇｒｅａｔ Ｗａｒ ｅｎｔｈｕｓｉａｓｔｓ．
August 5, 2019
Brilliant examination of Jutland
Jelliico a grandson of Admiral Jellico, has brilliantly studied the biggest Naval battle in modern history. Despite the apparent bias toward his grandfather, his presentation is impeccable. This book is an A 1 text for understanding this battle.
Jelliico a grandson of Admiral Jellico, has brilliantly studied the biggest Naval battle in modern history. Despite the apparent bias toward his grandfather, his presentation is impeccable. This book is an A 1 text for understanding this battle.
April 29, 2019
Gripping account
October 27, 2019
Interesting account and a unique perspective - obviously some bias and some factual errors but well worth the read to a naval aficionado
October 11, 2020
Book was fine, pretty much a slog from start to finish. I am an American reading the book with less background but the focus was slightly different than expected.
September 24, 2022
Very badly written
November 13, 2024
Extremely informative and well written, capturing both sides of the conflict and the aftermath.
June 27, 2025
Fantastic review, bought as a reference but was so much more. The fact Jelly’s grandkid himself wrote it is incredible.
July 6, 2023
This is a very complicated Naval Battle with bad tactics, bad technology and some personalities not ready for prime time. But, I'm coming to the conclusion that this was a prelude to the big Naval War to come in WWII... Yes, the technology wasn't there and the Tactic's were't good... but lessons were learned. To me this is Trafalgar 1916 fought with iron ships and just and inkling of technology.
March 11, 2021
A good book, offering a detailed history of the Battle of Jutland and its place in the strategic outcomes of WWI. Written by the grandson of the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet Commander at the Battle, it is not a surprise that the book presents Admiral Jellicoe in a more positive light than he has often obtained. However, it is not a pure polemic, the Admiral’s shortcomings and the mistakes he made are discussed. The author’s belief being that Jellicoe’s decisions were not as bad, in a strategic sense, than has become common to argue. The major thesis lies in a rejection of the missing ‘cult of the offensive’ culture within Jellicoe’s orders and actions. The author contends that the Admiral’s primary job was to keep the Grand Fleet intact while checking the German Navy’s actions. Presented in this light, the author is able to explain much of the Royal Navy’s actions both at Jutland and throughout the war. The book continues the post-Jutland story by going into detail on the Jellicoe’s response to the U-Boat campaign. He again provides a favorable explanation (though with less conviction than before) of the RN’s delayed actions to successfully confront the commerce warfare. The book ends with detailed biographic assessments of the major commanders. This includes one of the best historiographies of the Jutland Controversy (Jellicoe-vs-Beatty) that I have read. Highly recommended for those wanting to better understand the process of tactical risk adversity while maintaining strategic dominance.
Merged review:
A good book, offering a detailed history of the Battle of Jutland and its place in the strategic outcomes of WWI. Written by the grandson of the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet Commander at the Battle, it is not a surprise that the book presents Admiral Jellicoe in a more positive light than he has often obtained. However, it is not a pure polemic, the Admiral’s shortcomings and the mistakes he made are discussed. The author’s belief being that Jellicoe’s decisions were not as bad, in a strategic sense, than has become common to argue. The major thesis lies in a rejection of the missing ‘cult of the offensive’ culture within Jellicoe’s orders and actions. The author contends that the Admiral’s primary job was to keep the Grand Fleet intact while checking the German Navy’s actions. Presented in this light, the author is able to explain much of the Royal Navy’s actions both at Jutland and throughout the war. The book continues the post-Jutland story by going into detail on the Jellicoe’s response to the U-Boat campaign. He again provides a favorable explanation (though with less conviction than before) of the RN’s delayed actions to successfully confront the commerce warfare. The book ends with detailed biographic assessments of the major commanders. This includes one of the best historiographies of the Jutland Controversy (Jellicoe-vs-Beatty) that I have read. Highly recommended for those wanting to better understand the process of tactical risk adversity while maintaining strategic dominance.
Merged review:
A good book, offering a detailed history of the Battle of Jutland and its place in the strategic outcomes of WWI. Written by the grandson of the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet Commander at the Battle, it is not a surprise that the book presents Admiral Jellicoe in a more positive light than he has often obtained. However, it is not a pure polemic, the Admiral’s shortcomings and the mistakes he made are discussed. The author’s belief being that Jellicoe’s decisions were not as bad, in a strategic sense, than has become common to argue. The major thesis lies in a rejection of the missing ‘cult of the offensive’ culture within Jellicoe’s orders and actions. The author contends that the Admiral’s primary job was to keep the Grand Fleet intact while checking the German Navy’s actions. Presented in this light, the author is able to explain much of the Royal Navy’s actions both at Jutland and throughout the war. The book continues the post-Jutland story by going into detail on the Jellicoe’s response to the U-Boat campaign. He again provides a favorable explanation (though with less conviction than before) of the RN’s delayed actions to successfully confront the commerce warfare. The book ends with detailed biographic assessments of the major commanders. This includes one of the best historiographies of the Jutland Controversy (Jellicoe-vs-Beatty) that I have read. Highly recommended for those wanting to better understand the process of tactical risk adversity while maintaining strategic dominance.
August 14, 2016
To my mind this book combined real achievements with real disappointments.
The real achievements are the combination of a vast quantity of material, including much from German sources to trace the history of a complex battle, and the integration of insights from a personal connection with one of the principals with a reasonably balanced view of all of the leading figures.
The real disapointments are mainly down to editing, or rather the lack of it, and what seems like an unclear idea of the intended audience. Digressions, including repeated re-examination of polemical points distract from the flow. The digressions often present odd chronological leaps with comparisons to future events that non-specialists cannot be expected to know. There are also asides clearly aimed at specialists, but there is much of the text that seems aimed at the non-specialist.
A particularly unfortunate editorial decision is the structure of the chapters comparing Fisher/Tirpitz, Jellicoe/Beatty, and Scheer/Hipper. In each case, the compared lives are presented in essentially alternating paragraphs, making for unnecessarily dificult reading and obscuring the broader trends.
As noted, books strengths include subtantial use of German sources. The one thing that I wished it had had more of, given the importance of intelligence and communication failures to Jellicoe's need to make command decisions in realtive ignorance, was an analysis of communications during the battle between Scheer and his subordinates.
The edition that I read was published by Seaforth in the UK and lacks the subtitle, but bears the same ISBN.
The real achievements are the combination of a vast quantity of material, including much from German sources to trace the history of a complex battle, and the integration of insights from a personal connection with one of the principals with a reasonably balanced view of all of the leading figures.
The real disapointments are mainly down to editing, or rather the lack of it, and what seems like an unclear idea of the intended audience. Digressions, including repeated re-examination of polemical points distract from the flow. The digressions often present odd chronological leaps with comparisons to future events that non-specialists cannot be expected to know. There are also asides clearly aimed at specialists, but there is much of the text that seems aimed at the non-specialist.
A particularly unfortunate editorial decision is the structure of the chapters comparing Fisher/Tirpitz, Jellicoe/Beatty, and Scheer/Hipper. In each case, the compared lives are presented in essentially alternating paragraphs, making for unnecessarily dificult reading and obscuring the broader trends.
As noted, books strengths include subtantial use of German sources. The one thing that I wished it had had more of, given the importance of intelligence and communication failures to Jellicoe's need to make command decisions in realtive ignorance, was an analysis of communications during the battle between Scheer and his subordinates.
The edition that I read was published by Seaforth in the UK and lacks the subtitle, but bears the same ISBN.
June 11, 2019
Very interesting but a bit too much detail
April 14, 2017
View my review here: https://youtu.be/1LMm5epx4P8
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