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The Price of Admiralty: The Evolution of Naval Warfare from Trafalgar to Midway Paperback – February 1, 1990

by John Keegan (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 81 ratings
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Military historian John Keegan’s gripping history of naval warfare’s evolution.

In The Price of Admirality, leading military historian John Keegan illuminates the history of naval combat by expertly dissecting four landmark sea battles, each featuring a different type of warship: the Battle of Trafalgar, the Battle of Jutland in World War I, the Battle of Midway in World War II, and the long and arduous Battle of the Atlantic.

“The best military historian of our generation.”—Tom Clancy
 
“The Price of Admirality stands alongside Mr. Keegan’s earlier works in its power to impart both the big and little pictures of war.”—The New York Times
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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Publishing Group
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 1990
  5. Dimensions
    7.76 x 5.08 x 0.83 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0140096507
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140096507
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author here analyzes four landmark naval engagements: the 1805 British victory at Trafalgar; the WW I battle of Jutland; the WW II battles of Midway and the Atlantic. "Keegan writes as authoritatively as his admirers have come to expect," maintained PW. Photos. 35,000 first printing.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Sir John Desmond Patrick Keegan (1934–2012), was one of the most distinguished contemporary military historians and was for many years the senior lecturer at Sandhurst (the British Royal Military Academy) and the defense editor of the Daily Telegraph (London). Keegan was the author of numerous books including The Face of Battle, The Mask of Command, The Price of Admiralty, Six Armies in Normandy, and The Second World War, and was a fellow at the Royal Society of Literature.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Publishing Group; 3d ptg. edition (February 1, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140096507
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140096507
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.76 x 5.08 x 0.83 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 81 ratings

About the author

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John Keegan

John Keegan

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John Keegan's books include The Iraq War, Intelligence in War, The First World War, The Battle for History, The Face of Battle, War and Our World, The Masks of Command, Fields of Battle, and A History of Warfare. He is the defense editor of The Daily Telegraph (London). He lives in Wiltshire, England.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
81 global ratings

Customers say

Customers say the author brings good insight into naval warfare and analysis of great sea battles. They also find the writing style well-written and easy to read.

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ContentWriting style
8 customers mention "Content"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book brings a good insight into what happens behind the scenes. They also appreciate the masterful analysis of each individual battle, as well as the research, keen logic, and flowing writing style.

"...His deep analytical research, combined with keen logic and a flowing writing style allows the reader to see deeply yet feel like the story has a..." Read more

"...The strength of the book is the masterful analysis of each individual battle...." Read more

"...He brings to the reader a good insight on what happens behind the scenes. He also examines the personalities involved...." Read more

"...He writes well and is easy to read. I am very impressed by his knowledge of the subject. Very enlightening for me. I plan to read more of his work." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style of the book well-written and easy to read.

"...His deep analytical research, combined with keen logic and a flowing writing style allows the reader to see deeply yet feel like the story has a..." Read more

"...Keegan writes clearly, and more importantly seems to know just the right level of detail to provide...." Read more

"My first read of this author. He writes well and is easy to read. I am very impressed by his knowledge of the subject. Very enlightening for me...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A deep read with a purpose
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Keegan is one of the finest military historians. His deep analytical research, combined with keen logic and a flowing writing style allows the reader to see deeply yet feel like the story has a plot and a purpose.
W Dunlap
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algo41
5.0 out of 5 stars Are aircraft carriers still relevant?
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
I was interested in why the U.S. would still be building aircraft carriers in this age of missiles. I read the chapter on the battle of Midway, which I thought would provide some context, while not directly relevant, since Midway was primarily a battle between aircraft carriers. Keegan writes clearly, and more importantly seems to know just the right level of detail to provide. In addition to Midway, the chapter covers the events leading to Pearl Harbor, and why it was so successful for Japan. As to Midway, the strategies and objectives of both sides are explained, the tactics and their rationales, the mistakes made and gambles taken, and an account of the battle itself without too much detail. Relevant details of the personalities and beliefs of the leaders on both sides, and a characterization of the fighting men provide additional color.

Ironically, the Japanese admiral who planned the raid on Pearl Harbor did not believe Japan could win the war and was therefore against it. The chapter explains why it is so hard to train pilots for the carriers, but I was still struck by the fact that the Japanese could only train about 100 such pilots a year, which perhaps deserved more explanation. During the battle pilots often took off knowing they would likely have to ditch because fuel would run out before they could make it back. The battle was still an engagement where knowledge of the location of the enemy was limited, and any intelligence, whose acquisition was often fortuitous, was critical. The US had broken the Japanese naval code, which was very useful in planning the basic strategy, but the Japanese went silent about a week before the engagement.
5 people found this helpful
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David L. Staples
5.0 out of 5 stars The Human Experience of Battle at Sea
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
John Keegan was the greatest military historian of our time. His innovation, beginning with his groundbreaking "The Face of Battle," was to describe not only what happened (the usual lines on maps) but to look as deeply as possible into what individual soldiers experienced. He drew from all sources -- letters, reminiscences, art, military communications, and the work of earlier historians. His aim was always to describe the experience of humanity struggling amid inhumanity. This volume, which I think of as his third great book of this kind, following "The Mask of Command," is seaborne, and takes as its example battles Trafalgar, Jutland, Midway, and Battle of the Atlantic -- from the age of sail through armor and big guns to the comparatively sudden innovations of aircraft and submarines. How were the sailors' experiences different, and how the same? What was asked of the sailors and officers of one era that would be unfamiliar to those of another?

I have actually owned this book since its original publication over thirty years ago. I recently re-bought it as a gift for a friend who had recommended to me Robert Southey's "Life of Nelson." Reading Southey's climactic description of Trafalgar reminded me that it had been a long time since I had read Keegan's. It was a rewarding revisit.
One person found this helpful
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Mac
5.0 out of 5 stars ... is one of those historian writers that can bring amazing stories to life
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
John Keegan is one of those historian writers that can bring amazing stories to life. This book is about different aspects of naval war. For example, he covers battleships by the Battle of Jutland. He gives the development of the modern Dreadnought and explains the 2-foot thick armor belt that protects the ships vitals, and what it is like to be going 35 miles an hours, shooting 2,000 lb shell at a ship 15 miles away that is shooting back. He addresses naval air warfare with the battle of Midway. He explains sailing ship battles with Trafalgar, and submarine warfare with the Battle of the Atlantic. As a historian, Keegan can be somewhat dry, but what an amazing read this book is.

One of the best works I've ever read.
6 people found this helpful
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M. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2005
Verified Purchase
As always the human element shines through, just as it does in the "Face of Battle". While there are little hiccups that may have been made for example, John uses the word "their" in conjuction when describing the Doolittle raid as another reader noted, but one must remember that unlike in the USA the Doolittle raid is not covered to any great extent in the UK.

It would have been great to have been more detailed on the battle of Tsushima Bay, but not at the expense of Jutland because Jutland was not strictly an Ironclad affair, but rather the first battle between Dreadnought's, which had rendered the pre-dreadnought's such as those at Tsushima Bay obsolete. Indeed the heritage of Battleships from 1906 until the great Iowa's, Vanguards and Yamato classes can be traced back to the first Dreadnought.

Unfortunately, really no space to argue about his conclusions, which one can only hope will never be fully tested. Its a great book, one worthy of collection. Again, people have raised accuracy, but remember British schoolkids aren't raised on the same historical staple.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
Bought as a present - the recipient absolutely chuffed with a great book
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Kausik Nandi
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for those interested in strategic affairs
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2015
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Item as described. A great read for those interested in strategic affairs.
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JOHN BULLER
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2015
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Cracking book
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michele
4.0 out of 5 stars Naval engagements
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
Review of naval affairs by noted military writer. A classic of a few years ago.
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars This is not the edition you get.
Reviewed in Canada on December 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
Although you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, if you're looking for aesthetics as well as substance know that this is not the modern-looking edition you will be receiving in the mail. Instead you get the Penguin version published in 1988. Heads up.
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