A fascinating naval perspective on one of the greatest of all historical conundrums: How did thirteen isolated colonies; which in 1775 began a war with Britain without a navy or an army; win their independence from the greatest naval and military power on earth?The American Revolution involved a naval war of immense scope and variety; including no fewer than twenty-two navies fighting on five oceans―to say nothing of rivers and lakes. In no other war were so many large-scale fleet battles fought; one of which was the most strategically significant naval battle in all of British; French; and American history. Simultaneous naval campaigns were fought in the English Channel; the North and Mid-Atlantic; the Mediterranean; off South Africa; in the Indian Ocean; the Caribbean; the Pacific; the North Sea and; of course; off the eastern seaboard of America. Not until the Second World War would any nation actively fight in so many different theaters.In The Struggle for Sea Power; Sam Willis traces every key military event in the path to American independence from a naval perspective; and he also brings this important viewpoint to bear on economic; political; and social developments that were fundamental to the success of the Revolution. In doing so Willis offers valuable new insights into American; British; French; Spanish; Dutch; and Russian history.This unique account of the American Revolution gives us a new understanding of the influence of sea power upon history; of the American path to independence; and of the rise and fall of the British Empire. 8 pages of color illustrations
#250473 in Books 2005-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.25 x 6.52 x 9.36l; #File Name: 0393059030320 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Apocalypse ThenBy Martin ManerThis is the most engrossing book I've read this year. Like Conrad's _Heart of Darkness_; it combines vivid adventure narrative with disturbing psychological drama. Stanley was a complex figure--intelligent; stubborn; charismatic; sometimes generous and sometimes brutal. The authors disentangle all the complex threads of the story as Stanley's expedition breaks up; reassembles; and ultimately completes its epic trek across Africa. The tension and suspense are unrelenting. _The Last Expedition_ is a brilliant; novelistic historical saga that should be made into a movie.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. The Real Better Than FictionBy Earl A. Myers; Jr.I have nothing more to add to the splendid reviews given this outstandingly informative work; however; I would recommend a fictionalized account of the same expedition written by Peter Forbath entitled " The Last Hero". It is no longer in print but can be purchased online from used book sellers.I cannot emphasis strongly enough the impact Forbath's book had on my curiosity about 19th century exploration; particularly that of Stanley's 3 African enterprises. Whether you consider him a hero or villain; one cannot readily dismiss the tremendous contribution Henry Morton Stanley made to our understanding of and to the mapping of the " Dark Continent ". We will never see the likes of him again.Both " The Last Expedition " and " The Last Hero " raise the standard of adventure; excitement; and intrigue to an altogether different level.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Richardgood conition
