To Lizzie, thank you for listening patiently as I wrote this book and asking all the right questions that needed to be asked.
To my editor, Simon Taylor at Transworld Publishers, who also asks the right questions, in an ever-so-tactful way. This is our sixth book that we’ve worked on together.
To Julian Alexander, my equally talented agent at the Soho Agency. Thank you for all your help, encouragement and advice, especially when the pressures of too many commitments meant the inevitable pushing back of a deadline.
To Hazel Orme, my loyal and longstanding copy editor, and all those who worked on the proofreading.
My thanks to Sasha Gardner for her help, advice and diligent proofreading.
To the late Royal Navy Rear Admiral John Gower for his detailed advice and expertise on naval operations, both above and below the surface, and for guidance on Whitehall procedures.
To Royal Navy Commodore (retd) Alistair Halliday for invaluable naval knowledge as well as your patience and engagement with all my many questions. It has been an absolute pleasure to learn from you.
To Ed Lucas, the ever-knowing and multi-talented author, for your advice and suggestions on some of the more technical aspects of this business.
To Richard Foster, my guide and mentor during my trip to Taiwan to research this book. Your affection for its language, culture and its people shone and you were great company throughout.
To my other friends who’ve served in the Royal Navy, for your patient guidance: one day I won’t need to be reminded that a ship’s wall is called ‘a bulkhead’.