This book examines the background of many of the Royal Navy Admirals who served in World War II as well as revealing the battles they fought between themselves, with their allies, and with those who sought to direct them. The conclusions frequently differ from those found in earlier evaluations. The author exonerates Admiral Sir Tom Phillips from blame for the sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse, revalues the standing and impact on the war of A.B.C. (Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope) and restores to prominence the achievements in human and command terms of Admiral Sir James Somerville and Admiral Sir Bertram Home Ramsay. His conclusions form part of an inevitable reassessment of these great men, as more and more documents become available and as they themselves cease to be able to exert a direct influence on how thier own histories are recounted.