Will I love The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783?

Any important American naval history book list must include Alfred Thayer Mahan’s book. It is not about American naval history, but it greatly influenced American naval history. It is not a good read; detailed descriptions of fleet engagements between ships of the line from the Anglo-Dutch wars to the Napoleonic Wars dominate the narrative.

However, Mahan’s emphasis on the importance of possessing naval power provided the impetus for America’s own naval expansion at the end of the 19th century.