‘A superb piece of work…meticulously researched and very readable. The illustrations add a touch of class to what is already a very classy book. Willis has done for the practical battle tactics of the Sailing Navy what N.A.M. Rodger did for the naval social history of the period in The Wooden World… A truly ground-breaking book which should certainly be required reading for anyone who is thinking of writing about the battles of the sailing era from now on.’

Dr Colin White, Director, Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth – On Fighting at Sea

‘His book is likely to become a classic…it combines great originality, deep research, and clear, accessible writing….the most striking characteristic of the book is its refusal to accept conventional wisdom…Willis is peerless. Not a page is wasted and virtually everything he writes is fascinating and provocative. This indeed is a wonderful book. Anyone interested in warships should have it on his or her bookshelf for frequent consultation’

Jonathan Dull in The Northern Mariner/Le Marin du Nord – On Fighting At Sea

‘Turning the pages of Sam Willis’s magnificent tribute to the golden age of fighting sail is to make you feel the heave of the deck beneath your feet, to taste the salt tang in the air and to smell the acrid gunpowder in your nostrils… gorgeously reproduced paintings… remarkably informative… fascinating.’

The Mail On Sunday ***** – On Fighting Ships 1750 – 1850

‘This book has much to offer and its explanation of the weather gage and the misunderstandings that have become attached to it is eye-opening…[an] excellent account.’

The Mariner’s Mirror – On Fighting at Sea

‘The stories of these wrecks are fascinating and well-told – even poetic. But it is what each tells us of the maritime world, naval history and the nature of warfare at sea that gives this selection its great interest and shows the erudition and intelligence of the author.’

Dr Oliver Walton, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich – On Shipwreck

‘Its large format enables the reader to enjoy the 150 stunning images… Those who were impressed by the glorious artwork in the first volume will be pleased that it is all here again too… remarkable book… Each illustration is accompanied by Sam Willis’s excellent descriptions, which are well researched and presented and highly readable. It is a gem for anyone who loves naval history.’

The BBC Who Do You Think You Are? – On Fighting Ships 1850 – 1950

‘Outstanding quality of reproduction… Willis accompanies the images with incisive text.’

Navy News – On Fighting Ships 1850 – 1950

‘Magnificent illustrated history of the age of fighting steam is now complemented by his Fighting Ships 1850-1950… breathtaking illustrations accompanied by a pithy informative text.’

The Mail On Sunday – On Fighting Ships 1850 – 1950

‘If your passion is ships and the sea then this book is for you… magnificent large-format publication… There is very much a wow factor attached to this book… Be warned the book is of such merit that you will be drawn back to it again and again.’

Book of the Month in Sea Breezes magazine – On Fighting Ships 1750 – 1850

‘Its contents deserve much more than the cursory glance invariably afforded oversize picture books… fine book… The quality of reproduction is first-rate, with some magnificent paintings shown in all their glory.’

Navy News – On Fighting Ships 1750 – 1850

‘Even the most pacifist of landlubbers would struggle to deny at least some armchair thrill at the sight of such action.’

One of the illustrated Books of the Year in the Glasgow Herald – On Fighting Ships 1750 – 1850

‘An exceptional arrangement of the famed ships and naval battles in the age of sail by some of the greatest maritime painters.’

One of the Illustrated Books of the Year in the Observer – On Fighting Ships 1750 – 1850