Alfred thayer mahan september 27, 1840 december 1, 1914 was a united states navy flag officer, geostrategist, and historian, who has been called the most important american strategist of the nineteenth century. The book had great impact on navies around the world, and its. Jan 05, 2016 suzanne geisslers god and sea power is a delightful, wellresearched, and fascinating book. Young mahan spent his early years at west point, until he was sent to a boarding school in maryland, st. Mahans writings and lectures greatly influenced theodore roosevelt, henry cabot lodge, and other world leaders, including german emperor wilhelm ii, shaping global policy based on sea power at the beginning of the 20th century. This edition includes major parts of two books by renowned naval historian alfred thayer mahan, along with an introduction by antony preston. It is deeply biographical, concerning itself primarily with the mans christian life, albeit a christian life lived through a seagoing career and. Mahan also believed that america should at least acquire defensive bases in the caribbean and the pacific and take. Mahan was sent by the navy to found the united states naval war college in 1873. Alfred thayer mahans rise from obscure sea captain to international acclaim in the space of four years was improbable to say the least. Feb 15, 2015 online shopping from a great selection at books store. In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. These opening quotations form the foundation of alfred thayer mahans most famous book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890.
Mahan on naval warfare dover maritime and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Alfred thayer mahan, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 in 1890. He wrote and edited numerous books and articles on american history, including letters and papers of alfred thayer mahan and the papers of henry clay. Pdf mahan on naval strategy download full pdf book download. In the forward to his book, mahan set forth his purpose to examine the general history of europe and america with particular reference to the effect. Alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of sea power. The book carried the grand title the influence of sea power upon history 16601783 and its author was a shy united states naval officerturned war college professor named alfred thayer mahan.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. In 1890, us navy captain alfred thayer mahan wrote a landmark book entitled, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The geopolitical vision of alfred thayer mahan the diplomat. He was the author of twenty books and 7 articles, mostly dealing with naval history and strategy and international relations. What is the historical significance of alfred thayer mahan. His concept of sea power was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide impact. Alfred thayer mahan was a naval admiral who was a very effective advocate of imperialism. Captain alfred thayer mahan wrote the influence of sea power upon history, which argued that control of the sea was the key to world dominance.
Mahan s first book, published in 1890, was about 600 pages and included 30. Naval institute award of merit, the navy league award for literary achievement, the john lyman book award, and the university of kentucky hallam award for mahan s biography. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Consider by scholars as the single most influential book in naval strategy, alfred thayer mahan s the influence of sea power upon history. Both volumes the complete and unabridged naval history of france before. Professionally converted for accurate flowingtext e book format reproduction, this unique book reproduces thirteen important government documents, reports, and studies dealing with the career and work of naval pioneer and strategist rear admiral alfred thayer mahan.
The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by mahan, a. Mahans scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war. Alfred thayer mahan s book the influence of sea power upon history was highly influential because it altered the strategy and goals of nations who were maritime powers. Mahan on naval warfare by mahan, alfred thayer ebook. Background in 1904, while mahan was continuing to author books, the scholar halford mackinder presented to the british royal geographical society his view that the era of 400 years of sea. His book the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 won immediate recognition, especially in europe, and with. In the book, the influence of sea power upon history, mahan claimed that countries with sea power were the great nations of history. His book the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 won immediate recognition. The influence of sea power upon history 16601783 by alfred.
In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of. Alfred thayer mahan, american naval officer and historian who was a highly influential exponent of sea power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was not so much a history book as a book about sea power, of the naval type, and its influence on history. The united states looking outward navy captain alfred t. Spurred by the writings of naval historian alfred thayer mahan, author of the influence of sea power upon history, proponents of a big navy called for stateoftheart steel ships to protect the nation and its interests. December 1, 2014, was the 100th anniversary of the death of alfred thayer mahan, the renowned naval historian, strategist, and geopolitical theorist. At the end of the nineteenth century, the united states became increasingly engaged in international affairs. As president of the college he began writing books and articles extolling the value of sea power as a key to national greatness. Alfred thayer mahan was born on 27 september 1840 at west point, new york, where his father, dennis hart mahan, was a distinguished professor of civil and military engineering at the us military academy. He stressed the interdependence of the military and commercial control of the sea and asserted that the control of seaborne commerce can determine the outcome of wars. Alfred thayer mahan project gutenberg selfpublishing. Alfred thayer mahan biography, quotes, works and writings.
Alfred thayer mahans most popular book is the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. September 27, 1840 december 1, 1914 was a united states naval officer and historian, whom john keegan called the most important american strategist of the nineteenth century. The influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire 17931812. The influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire, 17931812. He died in washington, dc on 1 december 1914, and is buried at quogue, long island. Mahan on naval warfare dover maritime series by alfred thayer mahan. Mahan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It details the role of sea power during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and discussed the various factors needed to support and achieve sea power, with emphasis on having the largest and most powerful fleet. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 work by. While alfred thayer mahan s 40 years of service in the u.
Navy is impressive on its own, his most significant impact on history comes from his theories on naval power. Jan 01, 20 consider by scholars as the single most influential book in naval strategy, alfred thayer mahan s the influence of sea power upon history. The naval officer in question is alfred thayer mahan 18401914 who, in 1890, published the results of his extensive study of history, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. Alfred thayer mahan was a united states navy flag officer, geostrategist, and historian, who has been called the most important american strategist of the nineteenth century. Alfred thayer mahan, born september 27, 1840, west point, new york, u. Read alfred thayer mahan s biography, works and quotes online for free. Books by alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of.
Mahan s thesis that for an nation to be great it had to be a sea. Mahan became a worldwide celebrity almost overnight and has remained one. 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. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, by alfred. Alfred thayer mahan september 27, 1840 december 1, 1914 was a united states navy admiral, geostrategist, and historian, who has been called the most important american strategist of the nineteenth century. Mahan was the son of a professor at the united states military academy at west point, new york. Influence of sea power upon history 16601783 abridged and influence of sea power upon the french revolution 17931812 excerpts capt. In 1890, an obscure naval officer from a thirdrate naval power published a book which shaped the course of the 19th and early 20th century arms race and naval strategy. Alfred thayer mahan 18401914 was a career officer in the united states navy, attaining the rank of admiral on the retired list. Alfred thayer mahan books list of books by author alfred. Mahan s lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. A naval officer and strategist whose 1890 book, the influence of sea power upon history. See all books authored by alfred thayer mahan, including the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, and the influence of sea power upon history 16601805, and more on. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the united states naval war college, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, a revolutionary analysis of the importance of naval power as a factor in the rise of the british empire.
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