His book the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 won immediate recognition. In the book, the influence of sea power upon history, mahan claimed that countries with sea power were the great nations of history. At the end of the nineteenth century, the united states became increasingly engaged in international affairs. Alfred thayer mahan biography, quotes, works and writings. 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. This edition includes major parts of two books by renowned naval historian alfred thayer mahan, along with an introduction by antony preston. Alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of sea power. Alfred thayer mahan, born september 27, 1840, west point, new york, u.
Mahan became a worldwide celebrity almost overnight and has remained one. 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. 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. His book the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 won immediate recognition, especially in europe, and with. 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. The influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire, 17931812. Both volumes the complete and unabridged naval history of france before. 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. Mahan s thesis that for an nation to be great it had to be a sea.
These opening quotations form the foundation of alfred thayer mahans most famous book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. Alfred thayer mahans most popular book is the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. Navy is impressive on its own, his most significant impact on history comes from his theories on naval power. 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. 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 was sent by the navy to found the united states naval war college in 1873. Alfred thayer mahan was a naval admiral who was a very effective advocate of imperialism. 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.
Books by alfred thayer mahan author of 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. Mahan also believed that america should at least acquire defensive bases in the caribbean and the pacific and take. 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. 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. In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of. His concept of sea power was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide impact. December 1, 2014, was the 100th anniversary of the death of alfred thayer mahan, the renowned naval historian, strategist, and geopolitical theorist. The geopolitical vision of alfred thayer mahan the diplomat. It is deeply biographical, concerning itself primarily with the mans christian life, albeit a christian life lived through a seagoing career and. 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.
Alfred thayer mahan books list of books by author alfred. Mahans scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war. While alfred thayer mahan s 40 years of service in the u. 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. 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. In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. Mahan on naval warfare by mahan, alfred thayer ebook. 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. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by mahan, a.
Influence of sea power upon history 16601783 abridged and influence of sea power upon the french revolution 17931812 excerpts capt. Alfred thayer mahan project gutenberg selfpublishing. 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 and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. 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. He died in washington, dc on 1 december 1914, and is buried at quogue, long island. Feb 15, 2015 online shopping from a great selection at books store. Mahan was the son of a professor at the united states military academy at west point, new york.
Alfred thayer mahan 18401914 was a career officer in the united states navy, attaining the rank of admiral on the retired list. Alfred thayer mahans rise from obscure sea captain to international acclaim in the space of four years was improbable to say the least. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 work by. Mahan on naval warfare dover maritime series by alfred thayer mahan.
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. In 1890, us navy captain alfred thayer mahan wrote a landmark book entitled, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The influence of sea power upon history 16601783 by alfred. As president of the college he began writing books and articles extolling the value of sea power as a key to national greatness. Jan 05, 2016 suzanne geisslers god and sea power is a delightful, wellresearched, and fascinating book. Alfred thayer mahan, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 in 1890. Consider by scholars as the single most influential book in naval strategy, alfred thayer mahan s the influence of sea power upon history. 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. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. 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. 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. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app.
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. Mahan on naval warfare dover maritime and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. He was the author of twenty books and 7 articles, mostly dealing with naval history and strategy and international relations. Read alfred thayer mahan s biography, works and quotes online for free. The influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire 17931812. Pdf mahan on naval strategy download full pdf book download. The book had great impact on navies around the world, and its. What is the historical significance of alfred thayer mahan. 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. Alfred thayer mahan has 96 books on goodreads with 4921 ratings. Mahan s lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890.