"The Struggle for Sea Power: A Naval History of the ..." Topic

…American Revolution.

"The American Revolution involved a naval war of immense scope and variety, including no fewer than twenty-two navies fighting on five oceans¯to say nothing of rivers and lakes. In no other war were so many large-scale fleet battles fought, one of which was the most strategically significant naval battle in all of British, French, and American history. Simultaneous naval campaigns were fought in the English Channel, the North and Mid-Atlantic, the Mediterranean, off South Africa, in the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, the Pacific, the North Sea and, of course, off the eastern seaboard of America. Not until the Second World War would any nation actively fight in so many different theaters.

In The Struggle for Sea Power, Sam Willis traces every key military event in the path to American independence from a naval perspective, and he also brings this important viewpoint to bear on economic, political, and social developments that were fundamental to the success of the Revolution. In doing so Willis offers valuable new insights into American, British, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Russian history.

This unique account of the American Revolution gives us a new understanding of the influence of sea power upon history, of the American path to independence, and of the rise and fall of the British Empire"

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Amicalement
Armand

Thanks, Armand. Be interesting to compare this with Mahan and Syrett.

A votre service mon ami!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

I read this. Good but not one of Willis's better books. He ties together the naval theme well. It is not like reading Mahan. His evaluation is not as simplistic.

However, there is less original research in this one. He mainly uses secondary sources that he ties together to draw out the naval theme. On at least one occasion I found his take on events from naval impacts a little tenuous.

He has little on the war in India which is understandable but disappointing. I did find the information and conclusions on the Spanish efforts in the war interesting.

In conclusion, I give it a 4 out of 5. A recommended read, but don't expect anything new or profound if you are one of the naval buffs on this board.

Thanks for your guidance my friend.

Amicalement
Armand