This beautifully presented book captures the spirit of a little known war where the Royal Navy played a peripheral but crucial role. The power of the British Empire was at its height, thanks to the reach of the Royal Navy and officers from that service who often found themselves far from home and in positions of power way beyond their rank. Rudolf de Lisle was one of these and fortunately he recorded his exploits in words and superb watercolours. Together these make a unique record of the war and period. Rudolf de Lisle's experiences are placed in their historical perspective by Professor Celia Wu-Brading's authoritative introduction