Mr. Lenton is at his best in handbooks that cover a specific area, and allow enough space for short essays on the variances between ship classes. Thus, a specific book on Cruisers of the commonwealth Navies is easily within his comfort zone. Lenton comes to grips with a serious problem in British shipbuilding. There was limited funds between the wars, and a cruiser is a large ship that requires about three years to build and commission. Thus an extensive building plan requires accurate forecasting in an area where innovation is likely. The RN came out of WWI with a cruiser component geared towards battle in the constricted waters of the North Sea, and the Mediterranean. However, the requirements of the Empire were for a force of seventy ships capable protecting the shipping lanes from surface raiders as well as the destroyer killing function necessary for Jutland style battles. There were many roles, and only a limited budget. Lenton's book shows that the inventiveness of the naval architects resulted in a cruiser suite capable of meeting all demands laid upon it. ( )