Scapegoat

"Scapegoat: The Death of Prince of Wales and Repulse" is a radical new account of one of Britain's greatest naval disasters. Making full use of modern research and unrivaled access to private family papers, it suggests that Admiral Sir Tom Phillips, the commander of the so-called 'Force Z', was made the scapegoat for a battle in which he was blameless, and that Winston Churchill, the Admiralty, and chronic failures in ship design and Intelligence were what sank the ships. The book also shows what a very close run thing the sinkings were, and how Japanese success depended on them having luck on their side. 'Scapegoat' is a convincing attempt to right a wrong that has been allowed to stand for over 70 years, as well as a prime illustration of the way in which the Establishment always protects itself first.

Martin Stephen was born in 1949. Educated at Uppingham School and the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, he studied literary and historical aspects of the First World War for doctorial thesis, and that, together with ten years' additional research, led to the publication of his widely acclaimed anthology of First World War Poetry, Never Such Innocence. He is the author of fourteen books on literature and naval history, including The Fighting Admirals and English Literature, and is a regular contributor to numerous magazines and journals.