This book examines how the Second World War was fought at sea, discussing the struggles in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian, and Pacific oceans as well as lesser known battles in the Arctic, Baltic, Black, and Red seas.

Includes chronology. Includes glossary.

Background to war : World War II - Warring sides : reluctant adversaries - Outbreak : opening moves - The fighting : across the world's seas - Portrait of a sailor : Peter Herbert Owen, Royal Navy midshipman - The world around war : the impact of war - Portrait of a civilian : John Delaney-Nash, merchant mariner - How the war ended : the German fleet is scuttled - Conclusion and consequences : the price of admiralty.