Originally published in 1959, this volume covers the history of the Service which has been through the centuries the first, and often the last line of British defence, and the spearhead of Britian's imperial expansion. In the book Professor Lewis puts the Royal Navy into its true perspective in history in general and maritime history in particular. He shows its origin in the Crown's personal sea-force, still blended with, and largely reliant upon the United Kingdom's total sea-force; and relates how it emerged as the principal fighting element in her sea-strength; principal, but not sole fighting element, because the reserves of the Royal Navy are an integral part of the entire Navy.