The Last Century of Sea Power, Volume 1: From Port Arthur to Chanak, 1894-1922

The transition to modern war at sea began during the period of the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and the Spanish-American War (1898) and was propelled forward rapidly by the advent of the dreadnought and the nearly continuous state of war that culminated in World War I. By 1922, most of the elements that would define sea power in the 20th century were in place. Written by one of our foremost military historians, this volume acknowledges the complex nature of this transformation, focusing on imperialism, the growth of fleets, changes in shipbuilding and armament technology, and doctrines about the deployment and use of force at sea, among other factors. There is careful attention to the many battles fought at sea during this period and their impact on the future of sea power. The narrative is supplemented by a wide range of reference materials, including a detailed census of capital ships built during this period and a remarkable chronology of actions at sea during World War I.

Author: H. P. Willmott
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: 06/09/2009
Pages: 568
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.35lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.00w x 1.80d
ISBN: 9780253352149

Review Citation(s):
Chronicle of Higher Education 10/23/2009 pg. 19
Choice 06/01/2010

About the Author

H. P. Willmott has written extensively on warfare in general and on World War II in particular. Among his books is The Battle of Leyte Gulf: The Last Fleet Action, a Society of Military History prize winner (IUP, 2005). He lives in Englefield Green, Egham, England.