Command of the Seas [Paperback]

John F. Lehman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bluejacket Books | Publication Date: November 7, 2001

The inside story of the origins of the 600-ship Navy told by President Reagan's Secretary of the Navy.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lehman was Secretary of the Navy for six years under Reagan, and was crucial in that administration's push for vastly increased naval capabilities and a 600-ship Navy. Here he ably, if selectively, argues his cases for reform, justifying decisions such as retirement of Rickover, large versus small carriers, high-tech versus low-tech weapons, competitive versus cost-plus procurements, and a Navy organized around 15 nuclear carrier groups. Lehman is a lively writer, pulling few punches. He makes feeble attempts at objectivity, but is unabashedly a Republican stalwart. There are interesting technical analyses of naval policies (both U.S. and foreign), and some telling anecdotes on personalities and politics in Washington. Mandatory for public libraries and subject collections.
- Edwin B. Burgess, United States Army TRALINET Ctr., Fort Monroe, Va.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

John Lehman was just thirty-nine years old when named Secretary of the Navy. He now runs a private equity investment company in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press; 2nd edition (November 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557505349
• ISBN-13: 978-1557505347
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,239,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Former Sec. Navy Lehman describes Navy during 70s and 80s., April 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Command of the Seas (Hardcover)

The Honorable John Lehman describes why he, as a naval reserve officer and conservative Washington insider, wanted the job as Secretary of the Navy. Once he achieved this position, Lehman gives a hard look at the state of the nation's defense during the late 1970s and 1980s. He also details info on who helped keep the Navy together and who worked to tear it apart. Lehman also includes details about his controversial interaction with Admiral Rickover. This book is an essential editorial on the state of naval affairs during the cold war. All arguments are backed up with documentation and facts. An excellent read.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lehman institutes strength within the U.S. Navy., September 5, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Redwood City, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Command of the Seas (Hardcover)

Former Secretary of The Navy Lehman provides the framework for anyone interested in what it takes to implement ideas within the U.S. Navy. By following his life's groundwork and background, the reader will quickly understand the fuel that provided the strength and courage it took to re-build the U.S. Navy. Secretary Lehman's unique personality and drive were focused on the idea of rebuilding the Navy after years of delapidation. He was given the political authority by President Reagan to force Congress and others in the Pentagon that a fully forward deployed, 600 ship Navy was required to maintain our national security. This text should be required reading every fifteen year's or so that no one should forget that our Naval infrastructure should match the courage of our sailors. Strength equals peace and Mr. Lehman reinforced this idea in the Defense Department. Let's hope that future administrations understand this dictum; or at least, another Mr. Lehman sticks his or her soul in the fray again. Books should further understanding. "Command of The Seas" provides the understanding required to take action in an atmosphere where the stagnant are popular