The wisdom of the 1995 Ministry of Defence decision to 'suspend' the rank of Admiral of the Fleet may be debatable but what is more certain is that it brought to an end an institution that had spanned three centuries.<BR>Over that period no more than 115 individuals attained the highest rank that the Royal Navy had to offer. The list begins with Sir John Norris and ends with Sir Benjamin Bathurst. The careers of this highly select yet diverse group make for fascinating reading. Each played his part in the Royal Navy's role as protector of British interests at home and across the world.<BR>As might be expected, many who held this rank are well known but a surprising number are not. Thanks to Dr Heathcote's scholarship, here for the first time is the definitive biographical dictionary. Those who have read his companion volume, The British Field Marshals, will know that they can expect a lively narrative packed with fact and anecdote. Each entry not only describes the subject's naval achievements, placed in their historical and political context, but also his background and character, for good or ill. A number could surely have inspired legendary fictional characters such as Hornblower and Ramage.<BR>More than a unique work of reference, The British Admirals of the Fleet will be an indispensable companion to all those with an interest in British naval history and also to anyone who seeks an informative and entertaining read.