The Influence of Sea Power Upon History

by Alfred Thayer Mahan

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890) is a work of naval history and strategy by Alfred Thayer Mahan. Drawing on decades of experience as a naval officer, researcher, and university lecturer, Mahan develops his theory of sea power in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in this popular and important text. Despite a lack of primary sources, The Influence of Sea Power would prove essential to the expansion of European and American imperialism through the use of naval might and has been cited as one of the most influential works of the nineteenth century. “The history of Sea Power is largely, though by no means solely, a narrative of contests between nations, of mutual rivalries, of violence frequently culminating in war.” For Alfred Thayer Mahan, there was no greater indicator of national might throughout history than control of the planet’s oceans. In this detailed study of the subject, drawn from years of research and lectures given at the Naval War College in Rhode Island, Mahan traces the influence of sea power on such conflicts as the English Revolution and the Seven Years’ War to argue that supremacy of the seas coincides with global commercial and political dominance throughout history. Immediately successful, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History would justify the expansion of imperialism as well as shape the naval arms race between Great Britain and Germany in the years preceding the First World War. This edition of Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power Upon History is a classic of naval strategic scholarship reimagined for modern readers.

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Genres: History, Military History, War, Nonfiction, Politics, Military Fiction, Naval History

462 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2021

About the author

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." His concept of "sea power" was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide impact; it was most famously presented in his 1890 book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660–1783. The concept had an enormous influence in shaping the strategic thought of navies across the world, especially in the United States, Germany, Japan and Britain, ultimately causing the World War I naval arms race. His ideas still permeate the U.S. Navy Doctrine.

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good work of scholarship on the age of sail

[Marks54 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in military strategy, and especially naval strategy and history, this is an important book to know about. I can see why it was so important historically, especially given the timing of its appearance. The actual argument, however, is not as clear as you might think and there is an aspect of overselling to this. That is OK - it is good to read one of the classics anyway.

[Binston Birchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The parts that directly related to the title were of great interest to me, reading a book that influenced none other than Teddy Roosevelt and expansionist American policies felt essential. Unfortunately the majority of the book details individual battles rather than the grand scope I was looking for. Those battles for me were too abridged to get what I want out of a naval military history. Still well worth a read, and when Mahan talks about America needing a substantial navy you can feel The Colonel paying close attention.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mahan's benchmark work on naval warfare. It has been studied by naval academies and leaders since it was written.

[Colonel Sir Cedric Wycliffe-Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for The Influence of Sea Power Upon History by Alfred Thayer Mahan (Illustrated and Annotated Edition)

Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power Upon History remains one of the most influential works in naval and military strategy. Written in 1890, Mahan’s book articulates the essential role of naval dominance in shaping global power. His examination spans from the 17th to the 18th centuries, analyzing how nations with strong maritime capabilities were able to control trade, project power, and maintain international influence.

This annotated and illustrated edition enhances the original work, providing readers with a clearer understanding of Mahan’s historical context and the military strategies he discusses. Through detailed explanations and visuals, it brings to life Mahan’s ideas, which were revolutionary at the time. His thesis—that a nation’s naval strength determines its global standing—resonated deeply, influencing naval strategies of several major world powers, including the United States, Great Britain, and Germany, leading up to World War I.

Key themes include:
• Naval Power and Global Influence: Mahan emphasizes that control of the seas directly correlates with control of the global economy and military advantage. He argues that any nation striving for international dominance must invest in a formidable naval force.
• Historical Case Studies: The book offers several historical case studies, including the rise of Britain as a naval power and the strategic implications of naval blockades and open sea engagements.
• Mahan’s Enduring Influence: Even more than a century after its publication, Mahan’s work continues to inform modern naval strategies, highlighting the enduring importance of maritime power in global affairs.

Mahan’s arguments are clear and persuasive, and his strategic insights have made this book a must-read for military historians and strategists alike. This illustrated and annotated edition makes the book more accessible, especially for modern readers who may not be familiar with the naval conflicts and political climate of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Final Verdict:

For anyone interested in military history, naval strategy, or the development of global power dynamics, this book is indispensable. Its relevance is undiminished, and its ideas still shape strategic military thinking today. Whether you are a student of history, a military professional, or a reader of classic works, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History offers invaluable insight.

[Yang-Yi Shen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History is a very well-written book that lays out, then illustrates using the example of past naval engagements and campaigns, foundational principles for engaging in naval warfare.

Frankly, I neglected to pay proper attention to the portions of the book in which Mahan discusses how the examples he gives relate to principles of naval warfare. Instead, I found the examples he used to illustrate those principles particularly engaging. For me, this book was a very fascinating overview of 17th and 18th century European warfare, and the major events in the Indian and Carribean theatres of the Seven Year's War, as well as a vocabulary refresher. However, I believe this still enables me to comment on the quality of the writing.

I greatly enjoyed the blow-by-blow accounts of historically significant naval battles. It was very interesting to learn about how ships were handled, back when their mobility still depended on the magnitude and direction of the wind, and when their primary method of attack was (by today's standards) short-range cannon fire. In addition, I appreciate the practical and lucid tone that prevails throughout the entire book. Despite the amount of time it took me to complete this book, I do not think there were any extraneous examples, nor were any of the reflections on them excessively long. Every page was packed with quality material and improving stuff.

All in all, this is an excellent book. It is a particularly commendable read if you want to acquire a rough, general knowledge of 17th and 18th century European warfare to hang future knowledge on. I am sure that it is a guide to naval warfare of the most excellent quality as well, despite neither having thoroughly read that part of the book or possesing the knowledge requisite to give an opinion on this matter.

[Syd Railla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like on war, but on water