How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World

Ranging from the late 1500's up to the Falklands War, Arthur Herman tells the story of the Royal Navy from its humble leggings as corsairs and privateers to greatest sea power in the world and its subsequent decline to the point where Argentina felt safe enough to challenge it to battle.

What could be a dry account of facts and figures is transformed into captivating tale of men, ships and politics of one of the most pivotal times in western history. Herman explores not just the captains and admirals that history so often gives all the credit to, but those who worked behind the scenes to support the men who defended Britain's Wooden Walls.

For anyone interested in this era, I highly recommend this book.