Naval Review, July 2000
This book finally makes Schurmans key text available. ... This complex of interests, ambitions, needs and nonsense has never been so skilfully dissected.
The Mariners Mirror
an important contribution to the field of imperial history and, fortunately, is now available to the general reader
Army Historical Research:
Professor Schurmans important thesis deserves to have been seen much earlier than this, and we should be grateful to Frank Cass for its appearance now... an excellent production and one from which members of the Society can draw much benefit.
Journal of Defence Studies
an indelible mark on his chosen field through the distinctive manner in which he studied naval issues by interweaving personalities and ideas