Jan Rüger

In 1807, the Royal Navy, almost causually, acquired this small island , 60 kilometers off the German coast. It was not a violent occupation and it lasted until 1890 when it was ceded to Germany in exchange for some territories in Africa. The further career of this square kilometer of sandstone and clay shows that the island took several identities in the futures of both countries. At various times it has been seen as a prosperous holiday location and as a threatening fortress. Mr Ruger has show more charted the swings in identity carefullyand the reader is left with an appreciation of Fernand Braudel's remark that "History makes use of islands". show less

Jan Ruger, the author, develops the theme of how primarily the British and Imperial German navys postured and displayed their navies in the decades prior to WWI. These displays were not for impressing each other, but also impressing the rest of the world as well. Fleet reviews and ship launchings became national festivals with filming and press releases; carefully worded speeches by carefully selected speakers. All this was controlled by Naval Press Bureaus. Among the purposes of this show more theater was to generate enthusiasm among the politicians and civilians alike to make easier approval for funding to continue building the navy. They were also a form of displaying Imperial power to the nation and worldwide.

At some point the naval powers realized the danger on provoking 'the other' in this game (i.e. the Germans or British depending on viewpoint) and the great expense of putting on the show. However, apparently the process was so successful that the press, public, and local communities would not give up the entertainment and economic value of these activities. In effect the naval authorities lost contol of the game.

I very much recommend this book to anyone interested in WWI, the German/Anglo naval race, and even the history of the inter-war period. The Nazis learned some trick of staging public events from the efforts of The Great Naval Game. show less

A study of the interaction of the naval displays put on by both the British and German navies, and how these interacted with public opinion in both countries. To Ruger, the public was in both countries to enjoy the spectacular and cultural elements of the mutual period of naval expansion, and the perhaps false impression created on the German side, that their investment in this technology did alter the actual balance of naval power between the two countries. A useful book for those willing show more to go beyond the simple measurements of number and style of the vessels concerned. Not greatly engaging as far as the prose employed. Interesting posters are illustrated, however. show less