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A. T. Mahan

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783 (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) Paperback – November 1, 1987

by A. T. Mahan (Author)

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First published almost a century ago, this classic text on the history and tactics of naval warfare had a profound effect on the imperial policies of all the major powers. Kaiser Wilhelm is said to have "devoured" this book, and it was avidly read by presidents (including both Roosevelts), kings, prime ministers, admirals, and chancellors.
This book was the work of noted U.S. naval officer and historian Alfred Mahan (1840–1914), who argued that despite great changes and scientific advances in naval weaponry, certain principle of naval strategy remain constant, and nations ignore them at their peril. Credited with stimulating the growth of modern navies in leading countries of the world, the text remains a basic authority on the strategy of naval warfare and is still used in the war colleges.
Demonstrating through historical examples that the rise and fall of seapower (and of nations) has always been linked with commercial and military command of the seas, Mahan describes successful naval strategies employed in the past — from Greek and Roman times through the Napoleonic wars. Focusing primarily on England's rise as a sea power in the 18th century, the book provides not only an overview of naval tactics, but a lucid exposition of geographical, economic, and social factors governing the maintenance of sea power.
The work is carefully written and exceptionally well-documented; moreover, the author's clear, well-thought-out text avoids technical language, making it accessible to a nonprofessional audience. In addition, four maps and a profusion of plans of naval battles help the reader grasp the strategy and tactics involved in some of the history's greatest maritime conflicts. In this inexpensive edition, the book represents an indispensable sourcebook for statesmen, diplomats, strategists, and naval commanders as well as students of history and international affairs. Although ships, weapons, and the global balance of power have altered greatly since 1890, the lessons taught here so vividly and compellingly are still applicable today. Includes 4 maps, 24 battle plans.

Print length

656 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Dover Publications
Publication date

November 1, 1987
Dimensions

5.51 x 1.38 x 8.54 inches
ISBN-10

0486255093
ISBN-13

978-0486255095
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; Revised ed. edition (November 1, 1987)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 656 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486255093
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486255095
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.46 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.51 x 1.38 x 8.54 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #539,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #959 in History of Civilization & Culture
- #1,115 in Naval Military History
- #2,474 in Art History (Books)

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4.4 453 ratings

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KARL C NELSON

Exceeding Expectations/The Right Title

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 16, 2021

Verified Purchase

Have yet to finish the volume but to date, it has exceeded expectations. Admiral Mahan is an expert in synthesizing naval theory with real world applications in naval history. He begins with the descriptions of the Anglo/Dutch War and how tactics used reflect said theory. Looking forward to the balance.

This is some weeks after the previous entry. I competed the volume and I was more than gratified. Admiral Mahon's Masterpiece has the right title "THE INFLUENCE OF SEA POWER ON HISTORY." Several instances of how control of the Sea In the Punic Wars between Carthage and Rome, allowed the latter to prevail, forcing Carthaginian General Hannibal into the Alps and while he defeated Roman Armies, he could not subdue Rome itself, because, Hannibal could not be re-supplied from North Africa. In other words, the tactical success that the Carthaginian achieved on the battlefield could not be translated into "strategic decision" because Rome was in control of the waters around Italy.

It is this type of example with which Admiral Mahon constructed his own narrative. Starting in 1660 and proceeding till 1783, Mahon describes a contest between a diminishing Spain, a vibrant but diminutive Holland, and then England and France. France under the Reign of Louis XIV had a navy on par with that of England but the Sun King turned his attention to more continental concerns, and the French Navy was allowed to languish. For the remainder of the Book, the Royal Navy was kept on a consistent track. On the several occasions, when the French tried to challenge the English, in Canada, in the waters off India, and finally off Yorktown. Yorktown, as the strategic campaign of the War of the American Revolution, was decided by sea power. French sea power, as it was but that only because the French fleet was able to take station in the Chesapeake Bay opposite Yorktown, forcing Cornwallis' capitulation.

The conclusions from this work is that, by virtue of her control of the sea, England was able to expand he options. That other powers reacted to her as opposed to England reacting to others. Trafalgar was not mentioned in detail but that battle ensured that Napoleon would be checked. The Nineteenth Century is thus referred to as the PAX BRTINNIA.

Admiral Mahon was writing at the inflection point between the end of sail and the onset of steam. With steam, one no longer has to be tied to the vagaries of the wind. However, wind or no wind, whichever nation can enforce its interests and protect its commerce, will be the one that ensures its own destiny.

One person found this helpful

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Diogenes

Maybe The Single Most Influential Book of the Late 19th Century

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 26, 2020

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This is a studied analysis of its stated subject matter that caused a worldwide sensation when published. From what I've read, Wilhelm II, Kaiser of Germany, was so influenced by it that he gave copies to others in his cabinet and armed forces to read. And, he decided that Germany needed a blue water fleet to become a great nation resulting in the early 20th century naval rivalry with Great Britain that helped precipitate WW I.
It's a highly analytical read and it makes one consider what happened in WW II when it was the US versus Japan. And, in this day and age, it makes one consider its implications when you consider China's creeping hegemony in SE Asia. Well, as Santayana said, "Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it." A sobering thought for these times.
As Churchill once said, "The terrible ifs of history accumulate", so what if this had not been published? Maybe, no GB versus Germany naval rivalry; maybe Britain stays out of a continental war in 1914 resulting in a German victory over France and Imperial Russia; maybe, no US involvement in WW I but also, maybe a 1920s or 1930s war with Japan. Yes, the terrible ifs accumulate. So, the book's subject matter is one thing, but it's implications to the world are the main things to consider even 130 years after its publication. A sobering thought.

8 people found this helpful

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Gen X survivor

Classic of sea power

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

Mahan's work well deserves its reputation as a classic. While his bias towards sea power is evident (and understandable, given that he was writing with an eye to political effect), he lucidly and cogently explains how sea power is underestimated as a critical "tip the balance" force in the wars of the Baroque and Enlightenment era. His arguments about the necessary of maintaining control of the seas are still highly relevant, and his pointed rejoinders to the supporters of the school of commerce-raiding, namely, that commerce raiding will be no more than a nuisance if you maintain control of the seas through a battle fleet, still ring true. This book is also a vivid depiction of strategic thinking in the late 19th century, with its emphasis on markets, coaling stations, lines of communication and so forth. In some ways the work is dated -- Mahan could not foresee the development of aviation, for example, or long range persistent submarines, both of which have obviously forever altered naval warfare -- its core strategic insights (seek out the centre of gravity of the opposing fleet, don't be distracted by secondary objectives, etc, are still valid. The only sections that clearly are of purely historical interests are those where he dwells on tactical ship handling in the age of sail. The lack of diagrams in this Kindle version make following his decriptions of specific battles very difficult (I frankly skimmed them and went straight to the concluding remarks in each chapter). Still very worth reading to the modern naval scholar.

5 people found this helpful

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Texas Rabbitt

He was mostly wrong...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 21, 2014

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but his views dominated international thinking about navies for a half century. But I write this with 120 years more years of history than he had. Written with mind-numbing details about historical naval battles, Mahan's world was totally two dimensional (i.e. no air power), and without electronic intelligence gathering. Those two developments made his views outdated. And his failure to consider economic power and the basis of military power also casts doubt on his theories. His views were somewhat right for the Russo-Japanese war and the Spanish American war. They were clearly obsolete by December 7, 1941. And yet this book was required reading in virtually every navy in the world for 50+ years.

2 people found this helpful

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Insatisfeito.

Reviewed in Brazil 🇧🇷 on September 20, 2020

Verified Purchase

O livro é uma cópia de uma impressão de computador, sem o nome da editora, nem o ano. Não pode, assim, ser usado como referência de trabalhos acadêmicos.

2 people found this helpful

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Denny H

The First Naval Strategist?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 25, 2013

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The major writings of A T Mahan are his two volume work on the Royal Navy and the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars. This book charts the rise of the Royal Navy from 1660 and the challenge of the Dutch and Spanish, to the end of the American War of Independence. It begins with its introduction and first chapter setting out his concepts of naval strategy before studying the rise of the Royal Navy as a projection of national power and influence upon the world. Mahan uses the writings of Jomini and his major work on Napoleonic strategy, 'The Art of War', as the basis of his study on naval power, detailing force structure as well as logistics and how sea power can affect commerce and trade. A T Mahan is credited with being one of the first major thinkers on naval strategy and deserves to be read with that caveat in mind. An easy and informative read that leads you on to his major work.

4 people found this helpful

wang

Un livré très utile

Reviewed in France 🇫🇷 on October 25, 2022

Verified Purchase

Recommandé par un expert de politique, j’avais commencé lire ce livre, ce qui est atteint à mon attente complètement.

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gwb

Authoritative and comprehensive but not easy to read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 14, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is a large A 4 size book which initially gives the impression of being a just a sheaf of photocopied pages bound together.
The font used is tiny and there are few gaps to relieve the eye. Many pages are simply composed of a mass of print.
The illustrations are few and far between and comprise only of grey scale drawings and ink sketches.
Very disappointing, would suggest a completely revised edition with the above pints in mind

One person found this helpful

Navy Blue

SEA POWER

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 14, 2013

Verified Purchase

Influence of Sea Power upon History.
Have heard about this book for years, especially when on exchange duty with the United States Navy. Understand it is part of Officer Training Required Reading.
Have read and re-read the book, its suprising that it takes an American naval captain to encapsulate British Royal Naval history.
If you are at all interested in naval actions and battles this is a MUST.

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