Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:05:29-2:11:05

Three modern books for Admiral Fisher

The proposed reading list gives Fisher a long view of British naval power plus practical evidence about later battleships and destroyers that his dockyards could begin to use.

Aero EnginesFirst Sea LordG3 Class BattlecruisersJohn FisherNaval HistoryNaval ReformRoyal Naval Air Service
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Question

Which three modern books should be sent to Jackie Fisher when he becomes First Sea Lord?

Short answer

Send The Price of Victory plus modern studies of British battleships and destroyers, because Fisher could turn their historical and technical lessons into near-term reform.

Notes

The choices are The Price of Victory, a study of British battleships, and a study of destroyers of the two world wars. The ship studies would give Fisher enough technical information to accelerate design work without prescribing every detail. Their battleship and destroyer ideas are considered practical enough to influence construction before the First World War. Aircraft-carrier books would be harder to exploit immediately because the necessary aero-engine power density was not yet available. Further suggestions include a history of the Royal Naval Air Service and preliminary designs for the G3 battlecruisers.