This meticulously researched book examines the origins and evolution of the early battleships, from the Gloire and Warrior through to the Erzherzog class, with a country-by-country visual guide to all of the major vessels and classes of the pre-Dreadnought era. The book provides vivid accounts of the operations in which these groundbreaking vessels played a crucial role, the commanders in charge, and the people instrumental in their design, and is a fascinating read for all those interested in the history of ships and the conflicts of the period.