Publication:RAN Reading List March 2006/General Naval History
edited by John Reeve and David Stevens published by Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2003
Naval history is sometimes criticised for concentrating on the technical side of operations at the expense of the human. The Face of Naval Battle examines the individual and group experiences of maritime warfare in the 20th century. Drawing upon the latest research from around the world, many previously ignored aspects of war at sea are brought to light and placed in the context of the broader human experience of conflict.
The Rules of the Game
by Andrew Gordon published by John Murray, London, 1996
This is one of the best books on naval history published in recent years. On initial inspection it appears to be only a detailed examination of a portion of the Battle of Jutland. It is in fact much more than this. Andrew Gordon explores the development of battle tactics in the Royal Navy through the second half of the l9th century up to Jutland in 1916. He analyses the roles of crucial individuals in the debates, as well as the way in which they gained and used influence within the service. It is exceptionally well written and painstakingly researched. The events described and analysed took place during a period of exceptionally rapid technological progress with little opportunity to observe new equipment and tactics under combat conditions. This book is essential reading and is highly recommended.
The Price of Admiralty: War at Sea from Man of War to Submarine
by John Keegan published by Hutchinson, London, 1988
In The Price of Admiralty, John Keegan applies to maritime warfare the technique that he put to such brilliant effect in his classic of war on land, The Face of Battle. He concentrates on four key conflicts: Trafalgar, Jutland, Midway and the Battle of the Atlantic. He takes us into the very heart of the fighting while providing a remarkable panoramic view of naval warfare through the centuries. Rich in unexpected facts and insights Keegan's historical command is dazzling.
Republished as Battle at Sea: From Man at War to Submarine, Pimlico, London, 2004
edited by E.B. Potter published by Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 2nd edn., 1981
This is a history of naval warfare produced for use as a textbook at the United States Naval Academy. It starts with galley warfare, but the main focus of the book is on naval history since the American Revolution. Mahan is the seapower theorist whose work provides the framework for interpretation of events. The period covered by this book ends in 1980, as the USN was moving towards the development of its maritime strategy. This book is a good introduction to naval history, and it is interesting as an indication of what USN officers are taught.
The Strategy of Sea Power: Its Development and Application
by S. W. Roskill published by Collins, London, 1962
The Strategy of Sea Power is a brief history of the Royal Navy from a maritime strategic perspective. It intertwines classical maritime strategy, political decision making and the events in which the RN played a part. The book is the result of a series of lectures which Roskill gave at Cambridge University in 1961. Although it is by no means a recent publication, it merits attention because of the skilful way in which it illustrates the practical use of naval forces, and the way in which they contribute to maritime power.
by Paul M. Kennedy published by Macmillan, London, 1983
Britain's Royal Navy has had the most significant influence over foreign navies of any pre-eminent naval service, a fact reflected in the use of RN style uniforms in so many services. Though the United States Navy is now the foremost sea power, it has gained its position in very different strategic and political circumstances to the time when Britain and the Royal Navy rose to world leadership. Kennedy's principal theme is the direct link between economic and naval power. The effect of this link was magnified during the 'Columbian era' because there was no efficient means of land transport. The Royal Navy's fall was thus associated with the development of the railway, as well as the economic growth of other nations. This is effectively a case study of the constituents of seapower, and its general themes are as relevant today, as when the events described took place. It is an excellent book, superbly written and well documented. Whether the railway and more recently computer based technology have changed the nature of seapower forever is a valid and crucial question. This book goes some way to answering the question.
by Paul G. Halpern published by Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1994
A Naval History of World War I is a very wide ranging work. Perceptions of the naval war are dominated by the British and German battlefleets and first use of unrestricted submarine warfare. Naval operations during WWI did, however, range much more widely. This book covers the role played by all the navies which participated in the war, and examines some of the less well known naval campaigns in the Black Sea, Adriatic and Mesopotamian theatres. Though most of these operations were small scale, to the point of being militarily almost insignificant, they had considerable political ramifications. They exemplify the way in which naval forces are direct indicators of a national government's intent. Of interest to Australia, the RAN's contribution to escorting troop convoys and hunting German raiders is also covered. Despite it breadth, A Naval History does not ignore the principal forces and campaigns. The stand off and small number of engagements between the Grand Fleet and the High Seas Fleet, and the German unrestricted submarine war against Allied trade, are both well covered. This is an excellent book which may well become the standard text on the subject.
Dreadnought: Britain, Germany and the Coming of the Great War
by Robert K. Massie published by Random House, New York, 1992
Massie's sweeping narrative centres around the naval rivalry between Britain and Germany after the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, highlighting this as one of the major tensions that led to WWI. He covers the royal family relationships across the continent, geo-political ambitions of the several European powers, the build up of armies, and the economic situation. Each of these elements also contributed to the start of the world war. Although parts of this book lack research depth, while other sections are overly drawn out, it is essentially a good read about a somewhat dry subject.
Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea
by Robert K. Massie published by Random House, New York, 2003.
Castles of Steel is very easy to read naval history. It provides a fascinating account of WWI at sea between Britain and Germany. It describes the major campaigns and engagements, often with a degree of clarity and detail not found elsewhere. The strength of the book is its personal element, which includes detailed character sketches of major actors, naval and political. There are also some inspiring yet sobering personal descriptions of several of the major actions at sea. While Castles of Steel may not be naval history at its best, it is naval history at its most readable.
The Great War at Sea
by Richard Hough published by Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1986
This is the first of two books by Richard Hough on the naval portion of the two World Wars. Despite being dominated by the terrible war of attrition on the Western Front, WWI had many other significant features, among them the first examples of unrestricted submarine warfare and military use of aircraft. The roles of cryptanalysis and other elements of communications warfare were also significant, all of which are discussed in The Great War at Sea. WWI has considerable relevance today, as it was the first major conflict at sea after a period of rapid and considerable technological change, similar in scale to the one we are currently undergoing. The problems they faced in utilising untried weapons systems may provide some idea of the areas today's armed forces need to address.
The Longest Battle: The War at Sea 1939-45
by Richard Hough published by Pan Books, London, 1987
WWII at sea was fought in, under and over almost every ocean on Earth. It ranged from massive combined amphibious actions such as Leyte Gulf, to actions between individual motor boats in the English Channel. The Longest Battle gives a good overview of the entire war at sea. It is the ideal book to gain an appreciation of the whole naval war, where individual actions fit in and the effect on the war effort overall.
by Samuel Eliot Morison published by Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1963
This history of the United States naval operations in WWII written by Samuel Eliot Morison runs to 15 volumes. It is nothing if not comprehensive though made less daunting by an excellent index volume. It is, however, somewhat time-consuming to read. The Two-Ocean War is a condensed and more approachable version by the same author focusing on the major events involving the USN. WWII was the coming of age for the USN and also the most recent instance of sustained high intensity naval operations. The size of the USN and the extent of its involvement, make it worthy of study and an excellent vehicle for understanding the war as a whole.
by Stephen Roskill published by Collins, London, 1960
Captain Roskill is recognised as the leading authority on the Royal Navy's part in WWII. This book is a condensed version of his three volume official history The War at Sea. It sets out the broad outline of the policies, successes and failures of British and Dominion navies in the world-wide struggle. Highly recommended for those wishing to place the role of the RAN within the larger context of the British empire's maritime war effort.
The Forgotten Fleet: The Story of the British Pacific Fleet 1944-5
by John Winton published by Michael Joseph., London, 1969
The Royal Navy is not normally associated with the Pacific War, except insofar as its abortive intervention in 1941 with the HM Ships Prince of Wales and Repulse. In fact by 1944 there were two very large British Fleets operating in the Indian and Pacific Ocean Areas. Although they were not nearly as capable as the US Navy, they are interesting from an Australian point of view, because the British Pacific Fleet (BPF) in particular operated much closer to Australia and was based in Sydney. Indeed a number of RAN ships operated as part of the BPF. The Forgotten Fleet is mainly an operational history. The BPF did not have any great effect on the final outcome of the war, but it provided the basis for much of Britain's claim to a say in the settlement with the Japanese. It was in that sense a highly political rather than military operation. The British and Australian achievement in getting it to sea was quite phenomenal; however, in the end, it underlined the immense superiority of the Carrier and Amphibious Task Forces that the United States Navy had developed.
Sea Battles in Close-up:World War 2
by Martin Stephen published by Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1988
WWII was a critical event in terms of naval warfare. At its start, naval warfare was not far removed from what had occurred for almost four centuries, with ship manoeuvrability, gunfire and armour being the principal factors. Carrier borne aircraft and submarines soon came to prominence, and in the final months of the European war came the first guided missiles used at sea. The war was also noteworthy for the first significant use of what is now termed electronic warfare; communications, intelligence, radar and sonar were also substantially advanced. Sea Battles in Close-up is a detailed examination of the tactics and technology involved in ten conflicts during WWII, exemplifying some of the advances noted above.
by Eric J. Grove published by Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1987
During the period after WWII both the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy went through periods of considerable change. Vanguard to Trident is a scholarly account of postwar British naval policy, outlining the motivations and implications of the various changes. Though the RAN became increasingly independent of its parent service through this period, until the early 1970s its ties were still very close. To fully understand the RAN in the post-war period it is therefore necessary to have an appreciation of the Royal Navy. There is no better book on this subject.
by Kenneth J. Hagan published by The Free Press, New York, 1991
This is a history of the whole of US naval history from its origins in the American War of Independence to the disintegration of the Soviet Empire. The US Navy's present naval strategies are based on the assumption of superior capabilities, making stand-up battles a desirable form of warfare. It was born of a guerre de course strategy designed to oppose the then overwhelming might of the Royal Navy; a tradition which lasted for its first century of existence. Kenneth Hagan was Professor of Naval History at the US Naval Academy until 1991, and this book is based on his course there. This People's Navy is interesting and has an excellent bibliographical essay to facilitate further reading.
by Michael T. Isenberg published by St. Martin's Press, New York, 1993
This first volume deals with the US Navy from 1945 to 1962 and the Cuban missile crisis. The book combines analysis of the highest levels of decision making, assessment of the impact of technological developments and description of the impact on the ships, officers and sailors of the USN. It is a broad and sweeping history of the most powerful navy of the last 50 years. Perhaps above all it is a superbly written book and makes fascinating reading.
by David Brown published by Arrow Books, London, 1987
The Falklands War was a demonstration of the utility of seapower, its flexibility, speed and global reach. While the ultimate victory was obtained by land forces ashore, they were transported, protected, supplied and supported by the most powerful and balanced task force the Royal Navy could assemble. This is one of the best unclassified accounts of the RN's part in the Falklands War. Although it is an unofficial account, David Brown, who was Head of the RN Historical Branch at the time, had considerable access to official documents in its writing. Indeed the research done for the book seems very good. The coverage is complete and without bias. The only operations not covered in detail are those of the RN submarines, with the exception of the sinking of the Argentine ship General Belgrano. This book is essential reading for all naval officers.
The Falklands War, 1982
by Martin Middlebrook published by Penguin, London, 3rd edn., 2001.
A master British military historian turns his attention to Great Britain's military conflict with Argentina. The result is a readable and well-researched account of the Falklands/ Malvinas War in which he explains the war's origins, mobilisation, air warfare, sinking of the Belgrano, and the problems of the Royal Navy in providing an effective antimissile defence for its ships. Using quotations from participants he also evaluates the land battles.
The US Maritime Strategy
by Norman Friedman published by Jane's, London, 1988
The US Maritime Strategy was in many respects the ultimate Cold War expression of plans by the United States Navy to gain overwhelming control of the sea. The period was one of great US naval expansion and Norman Friedman's assessment of US Maritime Strategy was written just prior to the end of the Cold War. The book has thus aged prematurely. It is still worthwhile reading. The US Maritime Strategy is well written and interesting to read and when compared with the current USN maritime strategy espoused in Forward... from the Sea and ...From the Sea, demonstrates how radically the USN has changed in a short space of time.
Desert Victory: the War for Kuwait
by Norman Friedman published by Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, revised 1992
Friedman presents a detailed study of the war against Iraq in the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf. The author takes a close look at the weapons, the command structure and much more. The updated edition includes a look at the war after the dust has settled but still within one year.
by Robert Fox published by Agenda Publishing, London, 2003.
An excellent record of the Royal Navy's activities in Iraq. All the photos were taken by the Royal Navy's photographers, and the interviews are with the men and women who took part in this, the largest amphibious landing since Suez.
