Naval historian Andrew Lambert brings to life a little-known naval conflict between Britain and America in 1812. As Britain focused on the threat from Napoleon, America seized its opportunity to challenge her, invading Canada and attacking British merchant shipping.
Lambert tells how Britain emerged victorious, in part thanks to history’s greatest frigate battle when HMS Shannon, under Captain Philip Broke, captured the USS Chesapeake in 13 blood-soaked minutes. Broke’s triumph secured control of the Atlantic.

Andrew Lambert is professor of naval history at King’s College, London. His books include Nelson: Britannia’s God of War; Admirals: The Naval Commanders Who Made Britain Great and Franklin: Tragic Hero of Polar Exploration. His highly successful history of the British Navy, War at Sea, was broadcast on Channel 5.