The true story of the great sea captains of the late-18th and early-19th century who spent long, arduous years away from their homes fighting for king and country, to win and hold control of the seas. Extraordinary characters stride across the pages - men whose youth, energy and ability to take the chances of wartime made them household names. Some, like Warren, Pellew, Cochrane and Collingwood, are still renowned, while others are almost unknown today yet their brave and brilliant exploits deserve our recognition, and Richard Woodman pulls them out from under the long shadow of the greatest naval hero of all, Horatio Nelson. The author also describes the darker side of life at sea - the dangers and harsh discipline, the wearying monotony of sea-keeping and sail trimming, the scourges of disease and restricted diet and occasional outbreaks of mutiny.