COUNTDOWN DAY 3 to the 150th anniversary of the famous Battle of Lissa, and a chance to win a signed copy of the book about the ship’s surgeon who was there.

The Ferdinand Max scored a glancing blow against the Portogallo, then went to defend the big wooden Kaiser. Freed by an Italian ironclad’s withdrawal, the Kaiser, despite its lack of metal cladding, followed up Tegetthoff and rammed the Portogallo again — wood against metal, sheer madness! But brilliant fighting spirit.

For a chance to win a copy of The Extraordinary Dr Epstein, answer the quiz question on Wednesday 20 July 2016.

Excerpt from Chapter 20, Battle. Ephraim’s epic poem about the battle won him an award from Emperor Franz Joseph. Author great granddaughter still seeks that poem! Go HERE for a non-fiction page on the famous Battle of Lissa, why it was fought, what else it is famous for and what happened next.