The Victory At Sea

by William Sowden Sims, Burton J. Hendrick

This is not in any sense a history of the operations of our naval forces in Europe during the Great War, much less a history of the naval operations as a whole. That would require not only many volumes, but prolonged and careful research by competent historians. When such a work is completed, our people will realize for the first time the admirable initiative with which the gallant personnel of our navy responded to the requirements of an unprecedented naval situation.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction

318 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

William Sowden was an admiral in the United States Navy who fought during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to modernize the navy. During World War I, he commanded all United States naval forces operating in Europe. He also served twice as president of the Naval War College.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admiral Sims is a piece of shit. Advocating war long before the formal declaration of hostilities. WWI was the dumbest war that the U.S. ever involved itself in. Sims' obsessions with college boys and a sporting good time made me a little sick. All that being said, this is a worthwhile history of submarine warfare. I liked the structure a lot. Each chapter is dedicated to a different tool used achieve victory over the submarines. From the convoy system to planes dropping bombs on sub decks, there are a lot of good details. Lots of points are helpfully reiterated and the mechanics are interesting throughout.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rear Admiral William Sowden Sims wrote an account of the U.S. Navy's role in WWI and won the 1921 Pulitzer prize in history for this book. Explaining the significance of submarine warfare, the limitations, victories and strategies to the public after a couple years of secrecy.

Why I started this book: This has been on my Professional Reading list for years, so I was thrilled to find an audio version of this common domain book.

Why I finished it: Struggled to finish, between the old fashion phrasing and style and the microphone capturing the narrator's inhales. But it was interesting to see an high level AAR of the submarine war in World War I. Especially since this review was used to justify expanding the submarine fleet in time for WWII.

[William Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great deal of information on the USN’s participation in the Great War

The information on convoys belong adapted, the procedures
; WW1 ASW, Naval Aviation, 14” railway guns, and American troop transportation were new to me. Some of the personal complements and organizational discussions can be skimmed. The authors) assume little knowledge on the part of the reader. I found it informative and readable for a book centaurs old.

[Dimiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Submarine & antisubmarine warfare during WW. A book of it's time, with a bit peculiar wording by 21st century standards, though quite enjoyable. A book full of facts, opinions and descriptions of man, machine and method - it will give you a clear view of what was happening when this novel weapon struck. How it could have turned the tide, and almost did, but at the end was defeated. Anyone interested in history & technology would do well to read it.

[Derk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Focuses on the views and actions of an Admiral who was controversial in the early 20th century.

DNF

[charles whitcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly okay

Good account of strategy development staving off Germany uboats by escort system. Too many pages on chains of command and personalities.