At the beginning of World War I, German warships had control of Lake Tanganyika in Central Africa. The British had no naval presence in the 'Tanganjikasee,' as the Germans called it. This was significant: it was the largest lake in the world and held great strategic value. In June 1915, a force of 28 men was sent from Britain on a huge journey. Their orders were to take control of the lake. To reach there, they had to transport two motorboats with the unlikely names Mimi and Toutou through the wilds of the Congo.

The 28 were an unusual crew - one was addicted to Worcester sauce, another was a former racing driver - but the strangest of all was their commander, Geoffrey Spicer-Simson, who wore skirts and had tattoos. Whatever it took, even if it meant becoming a god to a local tribe, he was determined to cover himself in glory. But the Germans had a surprise up their sleeve for Spicer-Simson, in the form of their secret 'supership' Graf von Gotzen.

Discovering new German and African archives, the award-winning author of The Last King of Scotland tells this improbable true story with his characteristic energy and style. Fitzcarraldo meets Heart of Darkness, a story rich and vivid, military history at its most entertaining and engaging.

Pages: 336, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm