When Australia became a nation, its small navy was the most important line of defence for the whole continent. It was also a unit of the Royal Navy, and an arm of the British Empire.

Through these studies of the first 24 officers to command the Royal Australian Navy, The Navy Chiefs explores how the culture of the Royal Navy shaped the Australian navy and its leaders in the early decades, and how a distinctive Australian naval culture developed as the RAN became thoroughly integrated into national defence, industry, trade and diplomacy.

This is an account of leadership in war and peace. Each navy chief faced problems that were direct and immediate, as well as challenges that were ambiguous and distant. Decisions made by one leader would continue to impact on his successor and the navy for years to come.

Assessing Australia's naval leadership in the First and Second World Wars, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation and the Vietnam War, The Navy Chiefs takes into account the personal strengths and frailties of each leader. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand leadership in defence, and Australian naval history.