Alastair Wilson is a retired Commander with the Royal Navy, in which he served as an Officer for 34 years, and has managed Chatham and Portsmouth Historic Dockyards. He writes regularly for the Naval Review and is associated with HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth.Joseph F. Callo is a retired Naval Reserve rear admiral and writer on the military (particularly Nelson), travel and business.

'A timely memorial to what used to be ... it encompasses the grand sweep of more than four centuries of classical naval warfare ... Who was the finest submariner: Karl Doenitz or Max Horton? The greatest modern naval leader: Cunningham or Nimitz?... Who was the most influential explorer: Cook or de Bougainville? Every amateur of naval history will find his or her attention sharply arrested at every page.' - Guy Liardet, The Times'For seekers after treasure, there are many nuggets here.' - Richard Hill

• Preface, List of abbreviations, Naval Ranks, Who’s Who in the Naval History