When Britannia Ruled

Vividly but lengthily, historian Robert Massie retells the story of a massive arms race that led to war

The year 1897 saw many celebrations of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, but none so grand as the naval review that took place on June 26. It was a humid, breezeless day, and flags hung limply on their staffs. Precisely at 2 p.m., the royal yacht Victoria and Albert, bearing an entourage headed by the Prince of Wales as surrogate for his frail, ailing mother, cast off from Portsmouth quay and steamed toward the flotilla. It was an awesome sight: 165 British ships of the line, plus vessels from 14 other nations including the U.S. and Japan. At a signal, seamen scurried...

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