American Sea Power and the Obsolescence of Capital Ship Theory

Author:   R.B. Watts
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
ISBN:  

9780786498796


Pages:   232
Publication Date:   27 November 2015
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Our Price $60.50 Quantity:  
Add to Cart

Share |

American Sea Power and the Obsolescence of Capital Ship Theory


Add your own review!

Overview

"Since the beginning of the 20th century, the United States has sought to achieve Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan's vision of ""command of the sea"" using large battle fleets of capital ships. This strategy has been generally successful: no force can oppose the U.S. Navy on the open seas. Yet capital ship theory has become increasingly irrelevant. Globally, irregular warfare dominates the spectrum of conflict, especially in the aftermath of 9/11. Fleet engagements are a thing of the past and even small scale missions that rely on capital ships are challenged by irregular warfare. In a pattern evident since World War II, the U.S. Navy has attempted to adapt its capital ship theory to irregular conflicts--with mixed results--before returning to traditional operations with little or no strategic debate. This book discusses the challenges of irregular warfare in the 21st century, and the need for U.S. naval power to develop a new strategic paradigm."

Full Product Details

Author:   R.B. Watts
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.20cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.322kg
ISBN:  

9780786498796


ISBN 10:   078649879
Pages:   232
Publication Date:   27 November 2015
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface Introduction One. The Changing Paradigm of War: The United States and Irregular Warfare Theory Two. The Philosophy: A.T. Mahan and the Foundations of U.S. Naval Thought Three. War Fighting Theory and Practice, 1914–1941: The Ascendancy of the Capital Ship Four. Lessons, Retrenchment, and Theory, 1945–1951 Five. Theory and the Challenge of Irregular Warfare, 1950–1980 Six. Theoretical Renaissance: The Maritime Strategy, 1980–1990 Seven. Strategy Adrift, 1990–2001 Eight. The New Challenge: 9/11 and the Use of Naval Power in Irregular Warfare Nine. The Legacy Lives On Conclusions—The Cycles of History Chapter Notes Bibliography Index

Reviews

Watts does an admirable job of covering the historical basis for his theory...a noteworthy entry into an area that is rarely explored...meticulous research...a worthwhile read --<i>Center for International Maritime Security</i>.


“Watts does an admirable job of covering the historical basis for his theory...a noteworthy entry into an area that is rarely explored...meticulous research...a worthwhile read”—Center for International Maritime Security.


Author Information

Dr. R.B. Watts is a retired Coast Guard captain who has written extensively on sea power and contingencies in USNI Proceedings, the Naval War College Review and other professional journals and most recently served as the Coast Guard Chief of Contingency Planning and Exercises before retiring to take a professorship at the National War College, where he teaches courses in war and statecraft, domestic policy, homeland security, military history, and irregular warfare. He lives in Washington D.C.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions
Latest Reading Guide

lgn

al

Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty
Shopping cart
Mailing List