A Sailor's Odyssey: The Autobiography of Admiral Andrew Cunningham

Admiral Andrew Cunningham is widely regarded as one of the finest naval commanders after Nelson, and his autobiography, "A Sailor's Odyssey," provides a stirring account of his career. He commanded a fleet in the Eastern Mediterranean during World War II, despite being outnumbered by the Italian navy. The book covers his childhood, naval career, and service in the First World War, as well as his battles in the Mediterranean. Cunningham attended important conferences during the war and provides insights into Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin. This new paperback edition will appeal to a new generation of readers and highlight the remarkable career of a great British fighting admiral.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 720 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Admiral Andrew Cunningham, renowned for his courageous leadership in the Mediterranean during World War II, is often regarded as one of the finest naval commanders after Nelson. A bust of the Admiral was unveiled in Trafalgar Square in 1967 by the Duke of Edinburgh, close to his predecessor. During the challenging years of 1940–41, after France and Italy's surrender and Britain's fight against the Axis powers alone, Cunningham commanded a fleet significantly inferior to the Italian forces in the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite his limited resources, his bold and vigorous command made up for the deficiencies. Battles such as Taranto, Matapan, Crete, and North Africa are closely associated with his name.

"A Sailor's Odyssey" is the captivating autobiography of this remarkable fighting seaman, covering his early life in Dublin, his naval career, and his service in World War I. It follows his commands in the interwar years, leading up to the significant sea battles in the Mediterranean. Cunningham attended crucial conferences like Casablanca, Tehran, Quebec, and Yalta, providing insightful glimpses of leaders like Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin. His career was truly remarkable, culminating in his appointment as First Sea Lord in 1943 and his pivotal role in shaping the Royal Navy's operational policy during the later stages of the War.

This naval memoir is beautifully written and thoroughly absorbing. When it was first published in 1951, it made a significant contribution to the history of the Royal Navy in World War II. The new paperback edition, with an introduction by Cunningham's great nephew Admiral Jock Slater, will captivate and delight a new generation of readers, while also bringing attention to the remarkable life and achievements of this great British fighting admiral.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399092951