When in 1798 Richard Bolitho hoists his broad pendant as commodore of a small squadron & prepares to re-enter the Mediterranean he is soon made aware of his responsibility. There are rumours of a massive French armada & of the latest type of artillery
- & Bolitho's orders are to seek out the enemy & to discover the intentions of his growing force. Without any British bases in the Mediterranean, & unable to show favour to old friends, Bolitho is well aware that there are others within his ships who are no less dangerous than the enemy
- & during the weeks & months in which the squadron faces the hazards of the weather & French broadsides alike, Bolitho knows that far more than his own future is at stake. A fleet, even a nation, could depend on his decisions &, when he places his squadron between the Nile & the power of France, he must accept the price of the challenge.