The World Crisis, Volume 1 (of 6)

From October 1911 to May 1915 the author was the chief civilian in charge of Britain’s navy, overseeing a massive shift from peacetime routine to wartime readiness. He guides listeners through the frantic months of fleet mobilization, the strategic blockade of Germany, and the early naval clashes at Heligoland Bight, the Falkland Islands and Dogger Bank. The narrative captures the tension of building new dreadnoughts, debating oil‑fuel propulsion, and confronting the first German submarine attacks, while also detailing the ambitious yet troubled Dardanelles venture.

What sets this account apart is its reliance on original memoranda, telegrams and minutes, presented largely in the author’s own words. By hearing the unfiltered directives and private reflections, listeners gain a front‑row seat to the decision‑making that shaped the early naval war, as well as a candid look at the controversies and personal responsibilities that accompanied every order. The result is an intimate, document‑driven portrait of leadership in a world on the brink of unprecedented conflict.