The Riddle of the Sands: A Record of Secret Service Recently Achieved

Immensely popular in the years leading up to WWI, The Riddle of the Sands is a precisely drawn and geographically accurate adventure that, in addition to its captivating narrative, rich characters, and salty nautical details, was totally realistic, and prophetic in its exposure of British naval weaknesses. In fact, it was perceived as so accurate in its portrayal of the German naval threat and of England's vulnerability that it influenced the placement of multiple naval bases by Winston Churchill after its publication.