"It is very unusual for a high-ranking sailor to put pen to paper while still in office in order to provide a wide-ranging and challenging review of what a navy is for and what the challenges are in developing one. VADM Barrett is to be congratulated for the clarity and depth of the way in which he discusses these issues—and perhaps particularly for the candid review he offers of the problems that have to be faced when "growing a navy". He also makes the essential point—the Navy is a national enterprise, owned by every citizen, and acts to defend their peace and their prosperity in a multitude of ways. This is a significant review. No one reading it could fail to realise its importance." — Professor Geoffrey Till