Bradford was a 20th century British popular historian who had the luck (good or bad) to get his works snatched up by a bunch of ebook publishers. I like battleships and had insomnia, so I read this book. What it is a quick skim over the history of major warships, from the first use of broadsides in battle with the Galleon of Venice in the 16th century, to the last battleship in the HMS Vanguard.

Bradford skims quickly through history, each century gets about two chapters, focused on a major action. The narrative is Britain-centric, with the Armada, Nelson, and the Dreadnought race taking center stage. Guns and armor predominate over communications, accurate gunnery, and strategic considerations. I was glad to get an origin for the odd preponderance of rams from 1865-1900; the Battle of Lissa where an Austrian fleet got in among an incompetently lead Italian fleet and went ham.

Otherwise, well pleasant way to spend a few hours for a hobbyist, but that's about it.