Rodger's history runs from 1649 to 1815 and covers both operations and administration across the period. It is exceptionally large and dense with information. Readers may want a few introductory books behind them before starting it, since its detail can overwhelm someone new to the subject. For anyone with that foundation, it offers a broad history of the sailing Navy rather than a narrow study of one theme.
Notable Point · 3:55-5:25
A deep survey of the Royal Navy, 1649-1815
Command of the Ocean spans the Royal Navy from Cromwell to the end of the Napoleonic Wars, but its density makes it best for readers with some prior grounding.