Synopses & Reviews
The art of command is...to be the complete master, and yet the complete friend of every man on board; the temporal lord and yet the spiritual brother of every rating; to be detached and yet not dissociated. A Seaman's Pocket-Book, 1943, re-issued by Conway in September 2006, has found huge appeal with the British public. Presented in the same format, the Officer's Handbook gathers together useful advice and instruction for those naval officers fighting the Second World War on all aspects of their job, expressed in the benevolent language of the day, when authority was respected. The Handbook has been compiled and edited by Brian Lavery, who provides commentary and an introduction. Sections include: the Officer's Aide Memoire containing notes of the training course at one of the officer training schools; Notes for medical officers and treatment of battle casualties afloat; Notes for captains on taking command of their first ship; Notes for commanding officers; Notes on the handling and safety of ships and notes on dealing with disobedience and mutiny. While suffused with nostalgia and charm, the various contents of this book are an authentic presentation of matters of training, authority and deportment in the wartime navy. The book is sure to appeal not only to those who served in the war or had a relative who was in the officer class, but also to anyone who wants to gain a greater understanding of the day-to-day administration of the wartime navy.
Synopsis
This handbook, created to provide naval officers in World War II with advice and instruction on all aspects of their job, captures the benevolent language of the day, when authority was respected.and#160; It features an Officerand#8217;s Aide Memoire, with notes from officer training school; information for medical officers treating battle casualties afloat; counsel for captains taking command of their first ship; and guidance on handling ships and dealing with disobedience and mutiny. Historian Brian Lavery provides an introduction and commentary throughout.
and#160;
About the Author
Brian Lavery is one of Britainand#8217;s leading naval historians and a prolific author. He was, until recently, Curator of Naval History at The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and is a renowned expert on the sailing navy.