The gold standard in college-level American naval history texts, edited by the foremost scholar in the field

In the newly revised second edition of America, Sea Power and the World, a team of distinguished researchers delivers an extensive and authoritative survey of American naval history, the place of the United States in world affairs, and the role of that country’s naval forces during peacetime and wartime.

Each chapter contains a comprehensive analysis of its subject as well as brief sidebars describing a key weapon or technological development of the era and a short biographical sketch of an influential leader or representative of the navy from that era. The book offers extensive illustration and maps and a throughgoing emphasis on naval policy, strategy, roles, and missions, with careful attention paid to naval operations. These factors given greater focus than the descriptions of battle tactics found in other texts.

Readers will also find:

• A thorough introduction to sea power and the modern state system, as well as the American War for Independence at sea
• Comprehensive explorations of the genesis of the United States Navy from 1785 to 1806
• Practical discussions of the Naval War of 1812 and the Confirmation of Independence from 1807 to 1815 and the Squadron Navy as an agent of the commercial empire until 1890
• Fulsome treatments of the Second World War in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Pacific, including defensive actions in the Pacific from 1937 to 1943 and offensive actions from 1943 to 1944.
• New chapters exclusive to the 2nd edition focused on the history of African Americans and women in the US Navy, the development of joint operations and unified command, and the naval history of the last two decades.

Perfect for undergraduate students taking courses on the naval history of the United States, America, Sea Power and the World, Second Edition will also earn a place in the libraries of members of the general public interested in naval and military history.

James C. Bradford is Professor Emeritus of Naval and Early American History at Texas A&M University. He is the editor of the International Encyclopedia of Military History, Command Under Sail: Makers of the American Naval Tradition, and A Companion to American Military History.

John F. Bradford is Senior Fellow in the Maritime Security Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University. He retired from the US Navy with the rank of Commander. He is co-editor of Maritime Cooperation and Security in the Indo-Pacific Region: Essays in Honour of Sam Bateman and has authored dozens of articles on maritime security and naval affairs.