American Naval Heritage in Brief

by Paolo E. Coletta

U.S. naval history should not be studied merely as a record of battles lost and won but as a part of a nation's exercise of power. In this work, major events are fleshed out with relevant material from such areas as military power, economic warfare, diplomacy, and propaganda. The reader can thus gain an appreciation of the influence of sea power as one of the agencies that nations use in conducting their international relations. The book offers examples of how naval officers gained control of the seas as armaments evolved. The influence of sea power upon history is stressed along with emphasis on strategic decision-making, the characteristics of successful leadership, and the evolution of naval weapons, tactics, amphibious doctrine, and administration.

1 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1982

About the author

Born in 1916, Paolo Enrico Coletta graduated from the University of Missouri in 1938 with a B.S. in Education, and undertook graduate studies at the same institution. He completed his Masters degree in 1939, and his Ph.D. in 1942. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he taught at the United States Naval Academy as a Professor in the Department of English, History, and Government.