The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1783 (English Edition)

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Captain A.T. Mahan was one of the foremost writers about naval history in the U.S. during the 19th century, as well as an important thinker in terms of naval doctrine for the wars that followed. In this comprehensive work, he analyzes the effect of naval power on war and history from the 17th century through the late 18th century.
From the preface: ”THE definite object proposed in this work is an examination of the general history of Europe and America with particular reference to the effect of sea power upon the course of that history. Historians generally have been unfamiliar with the conditions of the sea, having as to it neither special interest nor special knowledge; and the profound determining influence of maritime strength upon great issues has consequently been overlooked. This is even more true of particular occasions than of the general tendency of sea power. It is easy to say in a general way, that the use and control of the sea is and has been a great factor in the history of the world; it is more troublesome to seek out and show its exact bearing at a particular juncture. Yet, unless this be done, the acknowledgment of general importance remains vague and unsubstantial; not resting, as it should, upon a collection of special instances in which the precise effect has been made clear, by an analysis of the conditions at the given moments.”