Winton, John. Hurrah for the Life of a Sailor. Life on the lower-deck of the Victorian Navy. London, Michael Joseph, 1977. 24 cm x 16 cm. 320 pages. With many black-and-white illustrations throughout the book. Original Hardcover with original dustjacket in protective collector's mylar. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Includes for example the following The British Tar - the early nineteenth-century Navy / From Burma to Navarino - the Navy of the 1820s / From Acre to Borneo - the Navy of the 1840s / Captain and Eurydice - two mid-Victorian naval tragedies etc etc.
An engrossing reassessment of the Commander-in-Chief of British naval forces during World War One, this work is ideal for readers interested in naval history. On 31 May 1916, the British Grand Fleet faced the German High Fleet in the largest naval battle of the First World War, yet the anticipated decisive victory eluded Jellicoe. This raises critical questions: Why did the Royal Navy, despite its numerical superiority, fail to secure a clear win? Could Jellicoe have performed better?
John Winton’s comprehensive reappraisal of John Rushworth Jellicoe addresses these enduring questions while providing a detailed insight into his life and the evolution of naval warfare in the early twentieth century. The biography traces Jellicoe’s career from his beginnings in the Victorian navy, through significant events like the Boxer Rebellion, to his experiences before, during, and after the war.
Winton employs extensive research and diverse sources to present a balanced view of Jellicoe, exploring his leadership during the Royal Navy's first major twentieth-century battle. Praised for its engaging narrative and thorough analysis, this biography is recognized for its clarity and depth, making it a valuable contribution to the understanding of naval history and Jellicoe's legacy.
