Dr Matthew S. Seligmann is a well-known historian of the pre-First World War era and has written numerous works on the international conflicts of this period. These include Rivalry in Southern Africa, 1893-99 (1998), Spies in Uniform (2006), and Naval Intelligence from Germany (2007). He has also written articles for such journals as BBC History Magazine, The English Historical Review, German History, Historical Research, The International History Review and The Journal of Strategic Studies. One of these, an essay entitled 'A Prelude to the Reforms of Sir John Fisher', won the 2007 Julian Corbett Prize, Britain's premier award for naval history. Another of his works, Does Peace Lead to War? Peace Settlements and Conflict in the Modern Age (2002), was selected by ALA's Choice magazine as one of its Outstanding Academic Titles for 2003.

"This is a good book. Matthew Seligmann's brief monograph explores the spans that join intelligence, planning, and hardware into a common military enterprise; and a considerable human interest derives from the actions of some of the naval history's most significant officers--a history that works its way up to admirals Alfred Tirpitz and Sir John Fisher along with Winston Churchill. The Royal Navy and the German Threat obviously has much to recommend it."--H-War

"It is the single most important book on British strategy and naval history that have been published over the last 20 years."--Militært Tidsskrift

"Seligmann's work is a salubrious addition to what has at times been an acrimonious discourse, and is a must-read for naval historians."--The Journal of Military History

"Seligmann's mastery of the archives and judicious analysis are evident on every page... this book is a noteworthy addition to the growing body of scholarship critical of the revisionist arguments...[E]ssential reading."--Journal of British Studies

"Based on new sources artfully used, this is an important new appreciation of British naval problems that adds to the potent historiography. Highly recommended."--CHOICE