At the end of World War II, British Naval Intelligence persuaded a number of German admirals held as prisoners of war to write essays setting out their thoughts on Germany's build-up to war and the war at sea during the Second World War. Nine of the best are included in this book. The work is arranged by themes, from the time of the Weimar Republic to Germany's surrender, to allow readers to compare and contrast the opinions of admirals at differing levels of seniority and with different spheres of responsibility. The essays illuminate every aspect of the war at sea and the decision-making processes involved.