From Solebay to the Texel: The Third Anglo-Dutch War, 1672-1674: 30 (Century of the Soldier)

What I personally know about naval battles could literally be written on the back of a postage stamp, "so" I hear you cry "what are you doing writing a review about this book?" I can answer the question very easily, I wanted somewhere to start in regards to the Anglo-Dutch naval war so this was the most logical place. My knowledge has always been in the land conflicts of this war and as a result this was almost new ground for me. I found the book full of information about the conflict including the commanders and battles and it has fired up my enthusiasm to recreate these battles with model ships. Add to this the fact it was easy to read for a novice of the sea and I would definitely recommend it.

A welcome addition to the few currently publicly available titles on the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the middle 17th Century. What is desperately missing are coloured images of some of the ships involved. In all there are 8 colour plates, all of notable personalities. Why? Images of ships are limited to black and white copies of well-known drawings by the Van de Veldes et al. So disappointing. And don't expect any useful maps of the battles.A good read, but a half-hearted publication for £19.99.

I stress that I've not read the book so can't comment on the text. All I've done is thumb through it - as you do. I wouldn't comment at all if it weren't for the somewhat disappointing illustrations, plates and maps....which is of course entirely subjective and purely based on my own expectations. I'm just flagging up that all the illustrations and colour plates, including the fleet and smaller actions, are contemporary to the period. The vast majority (all of the colour plates) are portraits of the people involved (to a greater or lesser extent) and they account for over 10% of the page count. The maps are a bit vague and only show physical features - no ship or fleet movements.This may not be an issue at all, but if it might, perhaps it would be a good idea to look before you buy.

Funnily enough I read this book while holidaying in North Holland barely a few miles from where some of the actions took place, e.g. Kijkduin, where there is now a rather splendid little fort/museum. I’ve had more than a passing interest in this period, known in Holland as Het Rampjar, and which the 3rd Anglo Dutch War formed part of a greater conflict against France. The naval side of the war has until recently been neglected (with the exception of a rather splendid Dutch movie called ‘Admiral’), and this book is a welcome attempt at filling that gap. I found the book well written and I found it hard to put down, managing to devour it in less than a day. The author manages to fit an awful lot into what is a small volume, and does it well. The backgound to the conflict, the major players, and the strategic and elements of the conflict are covered in detail, as are the naval actions themselves and their aftermaths. The text is well supported with contemporary b & w illustrations and some handy maps and orders of battle. I suspect the need to keep costs down prevented the inclusion of many colour illustrations but that isn’t an issue for me. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable and informative read.

For far too many people, British supremacy of the seas in the 18th, 19th and even 20th Century is taken as read - a fact that need not be explored or understood further. This briskly-written history of the third war between the Protestant Dutch and the also-Protestant English describes one of the underlying reasons why that assumption is given so much sway. As well as being very well researched, it gives a genuine flavour of the period and the personalities involved while also giving the English Comminwealth and Protectorate their financial and warfaring dues - they left behind a navy and an army able to fight with the best of Europe. All-in-all a key text to have on your shelf if you wish to understand exactly how Britannia came to rule the waves.

'A war that should never have been fought' as it says in the last line on the back cover.......The Dutch Wars aren't well known in the UK.....And the Third the least of all. This work provides a surpringly detailed amount of detail in a handy volume....With chapters on the first two wars to set the scene, it then proceeds to chronicle both major and minor actions....In the colonies as well as the North Sea/English Channel. A useful volume for those interested in Naval history, the later 17th century, or both! Many period illustrations, including colour ones of the noted commanders.

This is a well written and well illustrated study of the Naval wars between Holland and England during the Commonwealth and in Charles II's reign. France was allied to England most of the time. It's a fascinating period full of intrigue and action the main character of this epic is the Dutch Admiral De Ruyter. Other main characters are William III, Prince Rupert, James, Duke of York and Robert Blake. This period was new to me in the Naval sense - I have read books on the land campaigns but I kept thinking what a great book it was and how it would make a stirring wargames campaign.

a short well written introduction to a fascinating subject, that has really given me the bug to find out more about military and navel aspects of the later 17th century. Nicely illustrated and good contextual maps to illustrate the battles and maritime campaigns too. An enjoyable read and comes recommended.