The changing face of the world's navies

World War Two marked a turning-point in naval historical development. Since then, politics, the emergence of the 'bi-polar' world, and incredibly rapid technological change have combined with newly evolved or refined strategies to produce a wholly new naval situation as we enter the twenty-first century. The past fifty years have witnessed some remarkable changes in the naval world: big-gun warships have been discarded and then have come back into favour; and amphibious capabilities have grown in importance. But the most important single factor has been technology - missile development, electronics, communications, computers, metallurgy - all these things have had far-reaching effects. Sea power remains as vital to trading nations as it ever was. With two-thirds of the Earth's surface covered by water, the need has remained for a naval capacity both to defend oneself and maintain trade routes, as well as sustain prolonged overseas action. What has altered is the form that such a navy should take. This book traces these developments, in their evolutionary and revolutionary forms, with reference to all the nations that have contributed significantly to it. The author contributed significantly to it. The author traces the influence of doctrine and of combat experience during the last five decades to show how a process has been underway that is often fuelled by responses to the perceived threats posed by the prospective opponent rather than by the prospective opponent rather than by a rational assessment of naval needs. Here is a thoroughly absorbing and thoughtful analysis, enhanced by the resurrection of historical theories often derided in the nuclear age. Professional naval officers, defence analysts, and informed civilians will all benefit from this clear explanation of post-war naval evolution.They will then be better placed to observe, and participate in, the debate on the future use of naval power. -- from dust cover.

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Nonfiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.