Matthew S. Seligmann is Professor of Naval History at Brunel University London. An expert in Anglo-German relations before the First World War. Dr Frank Nägler is a retired Commander in the German Navy. He has published several articles on the history of the German navy as well as of the Bundeswehr. Dr. Michael Epkenhans is professor of modern history and chief historian at the Centre for Military History and Social Sciences of the German Armed Forces at Potsdam, Germany. He also teaches modern history at Potsdam University. In 2008 he published the biography Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz: Architect of the German Battle Fleet.

’This is a collection of immense value, both to researchers and to teachers. The documents offer rich insight into the making of an arms race over time and from each national perspective. They allow the reader to make sense of national pursuits of maritime force, set them in a comparative perspective, and view them as part of a broader process of a bilateral arms competition. In making a key set of documents covering each participating side easily accessible, the volume provides fresh food for new thought on British and German naval policies and their interaction. In short, The Naval Route into the Abyss is successful in its purpose of directing attention to the existence, complexity, and importance of the arms race and in offering a general narrative and framework of analysis.’ Dirk Bonker, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, USA ’The Naval Route to the Abyss truly belongs on the reference shelf of every naval historian as a superb historiographical contribution to the understanding of the Anglo-German naval race. Its interpretative and editorial context and thorough, even elegant, documentary collection provide a valuable tool to historians seeking to study the causes of the Great War.’ Military History ’...this is a very useful volume that scholars will find invaluable for years to come. Highly recommended.’ Christophermbell.com ’This is a collection of immense value, both to researchers and to teachers. The documents offer rich insight into the making of an arms race over time and from each national perspective. ...this collection of documents offers fascinating insight into the dynamics of a maritime competition that was a key event in the politics of war and empire before World War I, and left its imprint on the direction of national politics and culture on both sides of the North Seas. Anyone seriously interested in the topic will be grateful to the editors for this fine volume.’ H-Soz-u-Kult

• Acknowledgements..................................................................... ixNotes on German Sources........................................................... xiIntroduction................................................................................. xv1 Tirpitz's Ascendency: The Design and Initial Execution of a Naval Challenge 1895-1904/5....................................... 12 Recognising the German Challenge: The Royal Navy 1898-1904............................................................................ 1033 Obstacles, Success, and Risks: The German Navy, 1905-1907............................................................................ 1554 Meeting the German Challenge: The Royal Navy 1905-1907............................................................................ 2375 Tirpitz Triumphant? German Naval Policy 1908-1911........ 2776 Surpassing the German Challenge: The Royal Navy 1908-1911............................................................................ 3497 Decay: German Naval Policy 1912-1914............................. 3978 Defeating the German Challenge: The Royal Navy 1912-1914............................................................................ 415Sources and Documents.............................................................. 485Index........................................................................................... 495