Fascinating compendium of writings by great naval theorist. Fundamental principles of sea power, analysis of naval history, thoughts on policies and prospects for the future, much more. 8 black-and-white maps and diagrams. Index.

Naval historians and maritime students alike will welcome this fascinating compendium of writings by one of the world's most influential and respected experts on naval warfare. Considered by many the greatest of all naval theorists, Admiral Mahan was revered by his contemporaries (including Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, who made Mahan mandatory reading for his naval officers) for the quality of his insight and analysis.Mahan's close reading of history, his evaluation of the lessons of naval events and his predictions and prescriptions for the conduct of future naval policy contributed powerfully to the shaping of the twentieth century. His influence on naval theorists and policy makers in every great nation was profound, but nowhere was it stronger than among the three "upstart" powers, the United States, Japan and Germany. The Mahan-inspired devotion of these three powers to challenging the naval superiority of the existing naval triumvirate, Britain, France and Russia, and then each other, was among the catalysts for the eruptions of 1914 and 1939.While Mahan's theories received their most cogent statement in his masterwork, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, he expanded upon them in many other books, articles and essays. The present volume comprises a rich selection of his shorter pieces. Ranging widely, these selections cover over 40 different topics in a comprehensive discussion of naval principles, sea power in history, and naval and national policies. Taken together, they offer the distilled wisdom, sober evaluations and closely reasoned analysis of a celebrated figure who was an American naval officer in the Civil War, second president of the Naval War College and one of the most outspoken delegates to the Peace Conference at The Hague in 1899.This single volume of selections will enable naval officers, laymen, armchair sailors and students of world history to grasp quickly the essence of Mahan's ideas and their lasting effect upon naval policy and international affairs.

INTRODUCTIONPART I NAVAL PRINCIPLES1. THE VALUE OF HISTORICAL STUDY2. "THEORETICAL" versus "PRACTICAL" TRAINING" A Historical Instance What is Practical?3. ELEMENTS OF SEA POWER4. "DEFINITION OF TERMS : STRATEGY, TACTICS, LOGISTICS"5. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES Central Position Interior Lines Communications Concentration6. STRATEGIC POSITIONS I. Situation II. Military Strength III. Resources7. STRATEGIC LINES Communications Importance of Sea Communications8. OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS9. THE VALUE OF THE DEFENSIVE10. COMMERCE DESTROYING AND BLOCKADE Command of the Sea Decisive11. STRATEGIC FEATURES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THE CARIBBEAN12. PRINCIPLES OF NAVAL ADMINISTRATION Opposing Elements The British Systems The United States System13. The Military Rule of Obedience14. PREPAREDNESS FOR NAVAL WARPART II SEA POWER IN HISTORY15. A NATION EXHAUSTED BY ISOLATION France under Louis XIV16. THE GROWTH OF BRITISH SEA POWER "England after the Peace of Utrecht, 1715"17. RESULTS OF THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR18. EIGHTEENTH CENTURY FORMALISM IN NAVAL TACTICS19. THE NEW TACTICS "Rodney and De Guichen, April 17, 1780"20. SEA POWER IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Graves and De Grasse off the Chesapeake21. THE FRENCH NAVY DEMORALIZED BY THE REVOLUTION22. "HOWE'S VICTORY OF JUNE 1, 1794"23. NELSON'S STRATEGY AT COPENHAGEN24. ENGLAND'S FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE25. THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR "The Nelson Touch" The Battle Commerce Warfare after Trafalgar26. GENERAL STRATEGY OF THE WAR OF 1812 Results of the Northern Campaign27. LESSONS OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN "The Possibilities of a "Fleet in Being"28. THE SANTIAGO BLOCKADE29. "FLEET IN BEING" AND "FORTRESS FLEET" The Port Arthur Squadron in the Russo-Japanese War Divided Forces30. ROZHESTVENSKY AT TSUSHIMAPART III NAVAL AND NATIONAL POLICIES31. EXPANSION AND OVER-SEA BASES The Annexation of Hawaii32. APPLICATION OF THE MONROE DOCTRINE Anglo-American Community of Interests33. CHANGES IN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN34. OUR INTERESTS IN THE PACIFIC35. THE GERMAN STATE AND ITS MENACE The Bulwark of British Sea Power36. ADVANTAGES OF INSULAR POSITION Great Britain and the Continental Powers37. BEARING OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS ON NAVAL POLICY AND STRATEGY38. SEIZURE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY AT SEA39. THE MORAL ASPECT OF WAR40. THE PRACTICAL ASPECT OF WAR41. MOTIVES FOR NAVAL POWERAPPENDIX CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE ACADEMIC HONORS PUBLISHED WORKS UNCOLLECTED ESSAYS REFERENCESINDEX