'The current revival of the Royal Navy gives a special interest to this fascinating account of a similar revival three hundred years ago. The relevance of Maydman's suggestions to today's circumstances shows that in this turbulent world many of the principles to building and organising an effective maritime fighting force do not change.'

Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE ADC, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Royal Navy

'Building, then keeping, an effective fleet at sea is a perennial, long-term problem for a maritime nation. The cost and complexity of the operation allows every opportunity to short-change government as well as the seamen afloat, unless it is vigorously controlled. In 1691 Henry Maydman looked at all sides of the British problem, at a time when the naval war was not going well. He used a lifetime's experience as a supply officer to produce an unusually shrewd analysis, of particular interest since he wrote this just before the British navy's success slowly developed towards eventual dominance. This book shows that what Maydman had to say over three hundred years ago still has considerable relevance today.'

Roger Knight, University of Greenwich, UK, author of Britain Against Napoleon: The Organisation of Victory, 1793-1815, The Pursuit of Victory: Horatio Nelson

'In the late 17th century, Henry Maydman, a particularly keen observer, offered a critical analysis and a blueprint for improvement of what he saw as serious problems in the Royal Navy. Students of the Navy, or of the 17th century, will find here a gold mine of both information and insight. In addition, however, the context offered by the modern editors of this new edition shows how timely many of Maydman's observations are for navies and cultures of the 21st century.'

Craig L. Symonds, author of Nimitz at War