From thunderous broadsides traded between wooden sailing ships on Lake Erie; to the carrier battles of World War II; to the devastating high-tech action in the Persian Gulf; here is a gripping history of five key battles that defined the evolution of naval warfare--and the course of the American nation. Acclaimed military historian Craig Symonds offers spellbinding narratives of crucial engagements; showing how each battle reveals the transformation of technology and weaponry from one war to the next; how these in turn transformed naval combat; and how each event marked a milestone in American history. - Oliver Hazard Perry's heroic victory at Lake Erie; one of the last great battles of the Age of Sail; which secured the Northwestern frontier for the United States- The brutal Civil War duel between the ironclads Monitor and Virginia; which sounded the death knell for wooden-hulled warships and doomed the Confederacy's hope of besting the Union navy- Commodore Dewey's stunning triumph at Manila Bay in 1898; where the U.S. displayed its "new navy" of steel-hulled ships firing explosive shells and wrested an empire from a fading European power - The hairsbreadth American victory at Midway; where aircraft carriers launched planes against enemies 200 miles away--and where the tide of World War II turned in the space of a few furious minutes - Operation Praying Mantis in the Persian Gulf; where computers; ship-fired missiles; and "smart bombs" not only changed the nature of warfare at sea; but also marked a new era; and a new responsibility; for the United States. Symonds records these encounters in detail so vivid that readers can hear the wind in the rigging and feel the pounding of the guns. Yet he places every battle in a wide perspective; revealing their significance to America's development as it grew from a new Republic on the edge of a threatening frontier to a global superpower.Decision at Sea is a powerful and illuminating look at pivotal moments in the history of the Navy and of the United States. It is also a compelling study of the unchanging demands of leadership at sea; where commanders must make rapid decisions in the heat of battle with lives--and the fate of nations--hanging in the balance.
#425037 in Books 1975-11-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.31 x .53 x 8.00l; .60 #File Name: 0195198212256 pages
Review
2 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Ogotemmeli favors female genital mutilationBy Earl WagorI bought this book because I wanted to learn more about the reputed Sirius extraterrestrials who supposedly visited with the Dogon in the distant past. Instead; I found myself reading mostly about the minutiae of Dogon sacred rituals with a heavy emphasis on the importance of female genital mutilation; a practice which is at the center of Dogon tradition.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Something to challenge the average personBy AmariIn the history of man; before religion; people believed in G-d. He was not the G-d that we are taught about today. This book examinees their beliefs. It also shows that they had stories about creation and the flood. Now something’s may be controversial to the average person. I am not saying everything contained in this book is all unquestionable truth; but you can learn about our ancestors and even see parallels to the common church teaching of today. Just keep your mind open.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. not worth it.By The AwakenorNot what I thought it would be; doesn't touch on the alien information I was looking for. Its more or just layers of primitive mytholoogy and personal story's. i was prompted to order this book because the master of speech website claims to be quoting out of this book. I found no quote referenced in this book as claimed by master of speech
