Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.")