| Summary: | When Admiral Mahan passed away in 1914, his ideas and thoughts lived on in his writings, which spanned the naval strategy of his own times and the lessons learnt from history. They are still read today at the modern naval academies and the ideas permeate the teachings at Annapolis. A flag officer in the U.S. Navy who fought during the American civil war for the Union forces, his works have gained a fame that makes him the foremost of the naval historians of the late 1800's. As a continuation of his hugely admired and influential work, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, Admiral Mahan drew his considerable skill and critical eye to the naval operations of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. As the conflict raged on land between the continental powers and France, Britain and the Royal Navy remained off the coast to provide a constant threat to French ambitions. Mahan draws the threads of the conflict together with his customary style and attention to detail to divine the methods and actions that led to the dominance of the Royal Navy during the period. This first volume concentrates on the actions of the French revolutionary period up to 1801 and the accession of Napoleon to a position of prime power. The skirmishes, battles and blockades are described in great detail and illustrated with numerous illustrations. A masterwork by the foremost naval theorist - highly recommended.
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