To Shining Sea: A History of the United States Navy, 1775-1998 [Paperback]

Stephen Howarth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0806130261 | ISBN-13: 978-0806130262

To Shining Sea is a landmark work of naval history--the most comprehensive and authoritative narrative account of American sea power written in recent times. From John Paul Jones’s defiant cry "I have not yet begun to fight," to the war in the Persian Gulf, Stephen Howarth chronicles the epic story of the United States Navy. Here are the first engagements of the tiny Continental Navy, the fight against the Barbary pirates, the watershed clash of the Monitor and the Merrimack, the development--from blueprint to battleship--of the U.S. Navy’s first modern capital ships and submarines, the great battles of World War II in the Pacific, and the navy’s deployment in Vietnam and in the Persian Gulf. For this edition, Howarth provides a new afterword discussing recent developments in the U.S. Navy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

By the British author of The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun , this history covers the military, political and technological evolution of the U.S. Navy from the days of sail to the nuclear era. Howarth's focus is broad, encompassing the relationship between the Navy and the society it has served for more than two centuries. This is an admiring, panoramic view of a great institution that is "still learning new methods of combat, still fighting for funds, still defending the national interest abroad, still trying to keep its secrets secret." Citing decisive battles and formidable personalities, Howarth demonstrates that the principles on which the Navy operates have remained the same since 1775; "only the scale has grown." His warm, lively style renders an entertaining, informative history. Illustrations. BOMC alternate; History Book Club selection.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

This history of the U.S. Navy is also a naval history of the United States. Howarth describes the Navy's growth as an instrument of commerce protection, power projection, and national security in a global context he considers inescapable. A British historian, Howarth regards America as a geostrategic island whose security and well-being depend on the ability to traverse the world's oceans freely. Events in the Persian Gulf support his contention that a strong Navy remains a guarantor of U.S. security even with the Cold War's end. This blue-water perspective contrasts sharply--and successfully--with the critical view of a global Navy presented in Kenneth Hagan's This People's Navy (LJ 11/15/90). Recommended for most collections over Hagan's book. BOMC alternate; History Book Club main selection.
- D.E. Showalter, Colo rado Coll., Colorado Springs
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press (April 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806130261
• ISBN-13: 978-0806130262
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #994,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great overview of the US Naval history, October 10, 2001

By 

S. Lawrenz "Lendorien" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Shining Sea: A History of the United States Navy, 1775-1998 (Paperback)

I orginally read the first edition of this book when it came out in 1992. It was at the time a evelation for me, and the source of my now great love for Naval History. I owe Stephen Howarth a debt of thanks.

I recently picked up a copy of this edition. It has been extended from 1991 (where the previous edition ended) and now includes "The Gulf War" and a few other events up to 1998. There may have been a few other changes that I am not aware of.

I've read quite a few one book histories of the US Navy, ranging from books published in the 1920's (and actually used at Anapolis) to books that have been published in the past few years. Howarth's "To Shining Sea stands among the best of them, simply for its informative and enteratining style.

Howarth treats his subject not only with the eye of a scholar, but also with the eye of a storyteller, while at the same time, making interesting and intelligent observations about his subject. What results is a book that is entertaining and informative at the same time. His own enthusiasm for his subject is infectious as one reads it.

Most interesting about this book is that Howarth examines the US Navy, not from an American's eyes, but those of an Briton. Interspiced throughout the book are accounts of what the sentaments in England were towards the United States and it's tiny Navy. The addition is illuminating and welcome.

If you have a passing interest in the US Navy and it's history, or simply want to get your feet wet in the subject, "To Shining Sea" is well worth the read.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB, September 17, 1999

By 

R Andrew Brandenburg (Forsyth Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Shining Sea: A History of the United States Navy, 1775-1998 (Paperback)

If you have been searching for a starting point for a study of the US Navy, this is it. Stephen Howarth presents a concise, balanced, one-volume history of the US Navy from its inception (George Washington: " . . . without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive -- and with it, everything honorable and glorious."), through magnificent achievements, shameful decline and neglects, up to the Persian Gulf War. Some surprises (John Paul Jones was a rather disagreeable character -- at least from the British perspective), hints of sadness (when the mantle of naval supremecy was passed to the US from Great Britain), this was for me an amazingly "quick read", even though some may consider 574 pages rather lengthy. This work should be required reading in history courses everywhere, from Anapolis to colleges and universities throughout the nation. ( It probably would not be a waste of time for anyone who aspires to be President of the US. How many times must the navy be cut and slashed for our nation to learn of its importance to our national security? " . . . when the next war comes we will need the finest army and air force in the world, BECAUSE WITH A GREATLY WEAKENED NAVY . . . THE FIGHTING WILL BE ON OUR OWN SHORES.")