HM Frigate

Writing within the Censorship constraints during WW2, Lt Cmdr Monsarrat was constrained in setting down on paper what he actually thought of his command (HMS Perim) although he was forthright about it afterwards. Nonetheless this short account is a fine account of life at sea on convoy duty. This book cannot quite match the peerless "Three Corvettes" by the same author - which is perhaps the finest first hand account that exists and the book that gave rise to "The Cruel Sea" later but this is a very good read for all that. What stands out in Monsarrat's memoirs is the extraordinary difficulty of command which he describes with the brilliant insight of one who mastered that role. What comes across in this volume is the endless disruption to routine caused by life at sea in wartime. Men at sea could go through the war unscathed but their health would still be broken by the relentless demands of remaining seaworthy and days without sleep, driving an exhausted body to yet more deprivation - because there was no choice. Men had to be ready for action in all situations whether or not the enemy appeared. The unpredictability, the endless and often baffling changes of orders at the last minute causing days of minute preparation to be undone - only to be countermanded and redone again also without explanation the next day. The only reason I give this 4 stars not 5 is firstly because it is a short book, but secondly because at this late stage of the war the Royal Navy had finally wrested command of the sea from the U boats and the fear was less. A recommended read for anyone who loves the Navy.

Not what I was expecting. But at 70 odd pages there's not a lot of interesting facts

Most interesting - written from Monsarrat's own experience as a Frigate Captain. I had already read The Cruel Sea and HMS Marlborough will enter port it was almost "required reading". Only a very small paperback, but quite absorbing.

Fascinating book. Very funny in places too, a terrific writer tackling in detail a specialist subject. If you're interested in the Battle of the Atlantic this is an inside perspective. See also his book 'Three Corvettes' much longer and more in-depth.