This book is a compendium of 3 individual novels by Richard Woodman:
- Under False Colours - first published 1991
- The Flying Squadron - first published 1992
- Beneath the Aurora - first published 1995
'Under False Colours' - In the first of three stories, Drinkwater is disguised as a lowly shipmaster of the Merchant Marine. 'The Flying Squadron' - In the second, set in 1811, Napoleon's French Empire dominates Europe. 'Beneath the Aurora' - in the third, Drinkwater succeeds Lord Dungarth as head of the Royal Navy's Secret Department.