A reappraisal of Admiral Sir John Jellicoe of the First World War. This is a more nuanced look into the much maligned Admiral from a well respected Military Historian.

This is a little dated now, it was first published a few decades ago and that shows in the style. However it contains a lot of very interesting information about a man who is largely forgotten today. I enjoyed it very much.

I have recently concluded my examination of a fascinating biography of Admiral John Rushworth Jellicoe, commander of the British Home Fleet during the First World War. This book , written by John Winton, was just republished by Sapere Books who were kind enough to provide me with an ARC for my review. I am favorably impressed with the book although I would caution the reader having little or no knowledge of the subject material that this is a formidable text which is going to be more profitable to the reader who brings some knowledge of the events surrounding naval affairs at the beginning of the twentieth century the table. That said, it is a useful overview of a very significant period in the history of naval warfare. It was famously said of Admiral Jellicoe that he was the only man in England who could lose the war (World War I) in an afternoon, and that kind of sums up his importance. As the man primarily responsible for the defense of the British Islands, the quote hits the nail on the head since had he lost a major engagement to the German Empire's High Seas Fleet, the outcome of World War I could have gone very differently indeed. Winton's biography is comprehensive in that it follows Jellicoe's military career from its origins in the nineteenth century to his administrative career in the Commonwealth decades later. Most important, of course, is a useful and enlightening examination of the Battle of Jutland, the largest clash of main naval forces in World War I. This is not to say that the discussion of his pronounced rise through the ranks prior to the War and his experience as an Imperial officer is not fascinating and insightful as a tool to understanding his career overall. The prose is precise and easy to follow (again, allowing for some familiarity with the major military events of his time). I recommend this book to anyone trying to understand Naval Warfare as it has developed into modern times.

I read John Winston’s Jellicoe when it came out in 1981 and am thrilled to read it again. Winston’s background as a novelist and RN officer shows. His writing is very readable and absorbing and his knowledge of nautical and naval matters shines through. I particularly valued his descriptions of Jellicoe’s early career and how he bridged the world of sail, steam, and early ironclads to the dreadnought era. Jellicoe often seems a remote figure and Winston successfully personalizes him. Jutland, of course, features prominently but this is a popular history; I think for the dedicated naval historian studying that battle this book is superseded by books like Andrew Gordon’sThe Rules of the Game. Nevertheless, it gives a good grounding on this curious and controversial action. Jellicoe’s life in the aftermath of Jutland is well described and interesting. Well worth reading.