Reading List
This is a list of a few recommended books that will provide a background to the modern Royal Navy. By clicking on the links below and purchasing from Amazon, the commission we receive will help support the work of this site. (Prices shown may be subject to change by Amazon at any time).
The Royal Navy Post-War and Cold War
Britain’s Future Navy
Hardback – by Nick Childs £13.94
Examining what kind of Royal Navy does Britain need now and in the future? The 21st century promises to be one of huge uncertainties and challenges for the senior service…
Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy
Hardback – by John Roberts £18.94 Overview of the operations of the RN since WWII. Lavishly illustrated with great photos. Published in association with the White Ensign Association. BUY
We Come Unseen: The Untold Story of Britain’s Cold War Submariners
Paperback – by Jim Ring £15.00
Exciting account of the sometimes dangerous and risky operations involving the RN’s submarines operating against Soviets in the Cold war.
HMS Fearless
Hardback – by Ewen Southby-Tailyour £17.50
The story of one of the RN’s most well-known post-war ships which saw service around the world from the 1960s through the Falklands conflict until retirement in 2002.
The Impact of Polaris: The Origins of Britain’s Sea borne Nuclear Deterrent
Paperback Edited by J.E. Moore £2.00
The amazing story of how the RN successfully managed the complex project to build the Polaris submarine-based nuclear deterrent.
The Age of Invincible: The Ship That Defined the Modern Royal Navy
Hardback by Nick Childs £12.43
A ship whose eventful life story embodies that of the Royal Navy in the last 30 years. Telling the story of her design and deployments against a background of technical and political change.
Beyond Endurance: An Epic of Whitehall and the South Atlantic Conflict
Paperback by Nick Barker £12.95
The story of the Whitehall incompetence, appeasement and defence cuts that led to the Falklands war. The Captain of HMS Endurance tells the story of the fight to save his ship in war (and in peace).
Phoenix Squadron: HMS Ark Royal, Britain’s last Topguns and the untold
story of their most dramatic mission
Paperback- By Roland White £5.01
A perfect demonstration of the power and flexibility of carrier air power. In 1972 the appearance of Buccaneer aircraft from HMS Ark Royal instantly deterred Guatemalan aggression against British Honduras.
Up in Harm’s Way: Flying with the Fleet Air Arm
Paperback- R. M. Crosley £11.69
Biography of a Fleet Air Arm test pilot detailing the highs and lows of flying assorted naval aircraft in the 1960s and 70s.
Joint Force Harrier
Paperback- By Adrian Orchard
James Barrington £4.57
Written by a RN pilot this describes the excellent work of the recently axed joint RN-RAF Harrier force flying in support of NATO troops in Afghanistan.
No Escape Zone
Paperback- By Nick Richardson £6.22
Nick Richardson was an RN Sea Harrier pilot shot down over Bosnia in 1994. The book details the flight and bombing operations of the Harrier and his rescue from behind enemy lines by special forces.
The Falklands War
The Royal Navy and the Falklands War
Hardback – by David Brown£17.00
One of the first in-depth books about the Falklands war covering in detail the movement of individual ship and units.
Sea Harrier Over The Falklands: A Maverick at War
Paperback by Sharkey Ward £6.29
By a Sea Harrier pilot who speaks frankly about the much under-rated Sea Harrier which proved to be a war winner in the Falklands. At times he is critical of the way the war was fought and argues the case for the Fleet Air Arm against the tide of RAF opposition.
Ordeal by Exocet
Paperback by Ian Inskip £9.89
By the navigating officer of destroyer HMS Glamorgan which survived an Exocet missile hit. A vivid first hand account of daily life on the frontline on a RN escort at war. A gripping and realistic insight into a modern battle at sea.
Through Fire and Water: HMS Ardent – The Forgotten Frigate
of the Falklands War
by Mark Higgit £55 /£39
The harrowing story of the men of HMS Ardent which was attacked 17 times, killing 22 of her crew before sinking. Focusing on the human cost in the loss of the ship it demonstrates the courage and sacrifice made by the crew
Four Weeks in May: A Captain’s Story of War at Sea
Paperback by David Hart Dyke £6.06
Written by the captain of HMS Coventry, a Type 42 destroyer bombed and sunk with the loss of 19 men. An honest account of the action by a brave man who was
lucky to survive himself.
The Falklands War
The Royal Navy and the Falklands War
Hardback – by David Brown£17.00
One of the first in-depth books about the Falklands war covering in detail the movement of individual ship and units.
Reasons in Writing: A Commando’s View of the Falklands War
Paperback by Ewen Southby-Tailyour £12.71
By a Royal Marine officer who commanded the Falklands garrison in the 1970s long before the invasion and had warned of the islands’ inadequate defences. He also mapped the islands for yachting purposes and his local knowledge was a great asset to the task force in 1982.
Amphibious Assault Falklands: The Battle of San Carlos Water
Paperback by Michael Clapp and Ewen Southby-Tailyour £10.49
In-depth account of the amphibious operations to re-take the Falkland Islands. Explains the complexity and problems of amphibious warfare and details some of the tensions between the senior commanders.
One Hundred Days: Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander
Paperback by Admiral Sandy Woodward £9.99
Admiral Woodward commanded the RN battle group in the Falklands and reveals his thinking and the driving factors behind his often unpopular and difficult decisions that ultimately led to victory.
Call for Fire: Sea Combat in the Falklands and the Gulf War
Hardback by Christopher Craig £4.46
Memoir of Chris Craig, CO of HMS Alacrity in the Falklands war and later commanded RN forces during the first Gulf War of 1991.
Sink the Belgrano
Paperback by Mike Rossiter £5.59
Gives a good overview of the background to the war and then focuses on submarine HMS Conqueror and the details of the sinking of the Argentine cruiser Belgrano.
Secrets of the Conqueror
Hardback by Stuart Prebble £8.00
Details of HMS Conquerors service including sinking the Belgrano in the Flaklands war but also the more intriguing Cold War activities that involved stealing a Societ towwed array sonar. The nonsense surrounding controversy of the her log-books ‘lost’ after the Falklands is also explored.
BUY
