BOOK REVIEW: Running a Big Ship – The Classic Guide to Managing a Second World War Battleship

By Captain Rory O’Conor, RN

Captain O’Conor was the captain of the redoubtable HMS Hood from 1933 to 1936. This book is the result of that experience and was published in 1937. It benefits from an updated foreword by noted naval historian Brian Lavery of more recent vintage.

While being a fascinating historical record, it is very far from being out-of-date. Indeed, it would make a first class textbook for modern managers of almost any kind of organisation or enterprise. It would also be invaluable for any modern naval officer. The book illustrates very clearly that people don’t change, nor does their management.

A valuable delight.

Available from Casemate Publishers, Oxford, UK.

Web: www.casematepublishers.co.uk