The Last Gentleman-Of-War: The Raider Exploits of the Cruiser Emden

The wreck of the German WW1 Cruiser SMS Emden is still found perched on top of the rocks exactly where she ran aground off North Keeling Island in 1914. What was not destroyed by enemy action, Japanese salvage in the 1950's and almost a century of pounding by the elements, still bears a remarkable resemblance to a once great ship and is a lasting testament to her once gallant crew. Under the command of one of the most chivalrous men ever to wear a uniform, this ship went in pursuit of enemy merchant vessels and was amongst the most successful ever to do so. In one raid she sank a Russian cruiser and French torpedo boat after simply steaming into a British port and opening fire. Such were the exploits of this ship and of the way in which her captain and crew conducted themselves, any person of any nationality would like to think that the personnel in their own navy were capable of emulating such fine behaviour - both in success and defeat, as was displayed in this particularly fine example. The book itself is well laid out with an interesting selection of historic photographs and maps. Altogether, there is much here for those with a casual interest in the subject as well as the serious historian. Furthermore, the book itself is a very good read. NM.