British novelists have produced a wide array of war novels from the Napoleonic period to the modern day. This book is set during the middle years of WWII on a battlecruiser -- a ship with the firepower of a battle ship, but with the speed and maneuverability of a cruiser. The faults lie in protection and thickness of armor. The story moves along at a more leisurely pace than American readers are used to but ultimately we are rewarded by a good sea yarn. The characters are well developed and are prototypical of Royal Navy officers and seamen. I recommend this book to lovers of naval fiction.