Sea Warfare

by Rudyard Kipling

Introduction by Herbert Gilliland. First published in December 1916, this indisputable British classic is at once a factual report on naval activities during World War I and a lyrical masterpiece that pays homage to both the British seagoing tradition and to the heroic deeds of ordinary men. Kipling mingles prose and poetry not only to praise bravado but also to call others to their civil duty. This collection of essays and verse includes "Fringes of the Fleet," which celebrates the lesser trawler and auxiliary fleets; "Tales of the Trade," a chronicle of British submarine operations in the Baltic and the Sea of Marmara; and "Destroyers at Jutland," a commentary on the great naval battle of May 1916. The first English writer to win a Nobel Prize, Rudyard Kipling is almost certainly the most widely recognizable author of his era. Sea Warfare is a lesser known but nonetheless remarkable addition to Kipling's long list of literary triumphs, including Kim, Captains Courageous , and The Jungle Book . Presented with a new introduction by a professor of English at the Naval Academy, this book is a must have for anyone interested in naval history, historical poetry, and military analysis.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Classics, Naval History, World War I

222 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1916

About the author

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.

Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".

Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."

Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."

Reviews

[Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comencé este libro con bastante curiosidad y poco entusiasmo, porque no me gusta nada la literatura de combate. Sin embargo pese a que los relatos caen en algún momento en el exceso (al fin y al cabo, estaban en guerra con Alemania) y en general su tono es orgullosamente inglés; en su conjunto son un buen trabajo periodístico y literario. Kipling habla con los marinos de las flotillas de submarinos, destructores y defensa costera y saca de ellos un cuadro de la vida en las condiciones de la guerra al que no le falta humor. Es un buen complemento para intentar conocer algo más de la Gran Guerra, y que además esté bien contado no le hace ningún daño.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rudyard Kipling, acting as a sort of proto-embedded journalist, reported on aspects of the Royal Navy in the first World War that usually don't receive as much attention. In sections on the minesweepers, Merchant Marine, submariners, and the destroyers, he gave an illuminating summary of the important behind-the-scenes work they did. Through interviews and summations of battle reports, he presented a view of the "culture" in which they operate. I especially enjoyed the precis of one wing of the destroyer action at Jutland, told with Kiplings wry and understated sense of humor.

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got very good detail on the ships in the British Royal Navy during W.W.I.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short book of stories about the British Navy in WWI. Marvelous Kipling understatement and tales of naval traditions.

Available on Project Gutenberg.