Churchill And Fisher

A vivid study of the politics and stress of high command, this book describes the decisive roles of young Winston Churchill as political head of the Admiralty during the First World War. Churchill was locked together in a perilous destiny with the ageing British Admiral 'Jacky' Fisher, the professional master of the British Navy and the creator of the enormous battleships known as Dreadnoughts. Upon these 'Titans at the Admiralty' rested British command of the sea at the moment of its supreme test — the challenge presented by the Kaiser's navy under the dangerous Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. Churchill and Fisher had vision, genius, and energy, but the war unfolded in unexpected ways. There were no Trafalgars, no Nelsons. Press and Parliament became battlegrounds for a public expecting decisive victory at sea. An ill-fated Dardanelles adventure, 'by ships alone' as Churchill determined, on top of the Zeppelin raids on Britain brought about Fisher's departure from the Admiralty, in turn bringing down Churchill. They spent the balance of the war in the virtual wilderness. This dual biography, based on fresh and thorough appraisal of the Churchill and Fisher papers, is a story for any military history buff. It is about Churchill's and Fisher's war — how each fought it, how they waged it together, and how they fought against each other, face to face or behind the scenes. It reveals a strange and unique pairing of sea lords who found themselves facing Armageddon and seeking to maintain the primacy of the Royal Navy, the guardian of trade, the succour of the British peoples, and the shield of Empire.

Lord Hugh Dowding, Air Chief Marshall of the Royal Air Force, Head of Fighter Command, First Baron of Bentley Priory, lived in the grip of unseen spirits. In thrall of the supernatural, he talked to the ghosts of his dead pilots, proclaimed that H...

This volume explores the intrigue and negotiations between the Admiralty and domestic politicians and social reformers before World War I. It also explains how Britain's naval leaders responded to non-military, cultural challenges under the direction of Adimiral Sir John Fisher.

Winston Churchill, Britain’s great statesman, and Clementine, his beautiful, stalwart wife, went together through many crises to command center stage in their country’s finest hour during World War II. This double biography tells the story of this celebrated couple whose marriage endured, without scandal, for 57 years, until Churchill’s death in 1965. Their intense relationship would make tabloid headlines, but the public didn’t see the conflicts and clashes of two strong-willed, stubborn individuals whose love for each other withstood the tests of war and family tragedy — and whose fierce differences were essential to their triumph. “A grand profile in charisma.” — Chris Goodrich, Los Angeles Times “A grand historical romance.” — Booklist “A splendidly told tale... Hough is a charming writer and his admiration for his subject so genuine that readers will find his work irresistible.” — Publishers Weekly

Admiral of the Fleet Lord 'Jacky' Fisher (1841-1920) was one of the greatest naval reformers in history. He was also a colossal figure to contemporaries, both loved and loathed, a man of exceptional charm, presence and charisma. Since the late 1940s, Jan Morris has been haunted by his face - with its startling combination of 'the suave, the sneering and the self-amused.' This evocation is both biography and a love letter, a perfect expression of her passionate interest in mavericks and outsiders, in travel, ships and the glorious pageantry of the British Empire in its prime.

This book illustrates the differences in character between Jacky Fisher and A.B. Cunningham. Fisher is remembered in the general view of his time for his impishness and gift for epigram. Cunningham, by contrast, is not so well remembered generally except by the senior citizens who remember the war. Cunningham is given greater prominence in this dual biography. The author was a Vice-President of the Navy Records Office, so has had the advantage of conversations with men who served on Cunningham's staff in the days of his greatness.

The forced resignation of German-born Prince Louis of Battenburg as head of the Royal Navy at the end of 1914 left Britain's sea arm under divided leadership in the early months of a world war.