Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles that Shaped American History

by Craig L. Symonds

From thunderous broadsides traded between wooden sailing ships on Lake Erie, to the carrier battles of World War II, to the devastating high-tech action in the Persian Gulf, here is a gripping history of five key battles that defined the evolution of naval warfare--and the course of the American nation.

Acclaimed military historian Craig Symonds offers spellbinding narratives of crucial engagements, showing how each battle reveals the transformation of technology and weaponry from one war to the next; how these in turn transformed naval combat; and how each event marked a milestone in American history.

- Oliver Hazard Perry's heroic victory at Lake Erie, one of the last great battles of the Age of Sail, which secured the Northwestern frontier for the United States

- The brutal Civil War duel between the ironclads Monitor and Virginia , which sounded the death knell for wooden-hulled warships and doomed the Confederacy's hope of besting the Union navy

- Commodore Dewey's stunning triumph at Manila Bay in 1898, where the U.S. displayed its "new navy" of steel-hulled ships firing explosive shells and wrested an empire from a fading European power

- The hairsbreadth American victory at Midway, where aircraft carriers launched planes against enemies 200 miles away--and where the tide of World War II turned in the space of a few furious minutes

- Operation Praying Mantis in the Persian Gulf, where computers, ship-fired missiles, and "smart bombs" not only changed the nature of warfare at sea, but also marked a new era, and a new responsibility, for the United States.

Symonds records these encounters in detail so vivid that readers can hear the wind in the rigging and feel the pounding of the guns. Yet he places every battle in a wide perspective, revealing their significance to America's development as it grew from a new Republic on the edge of a threatening frontier to a global superpower.

Decision at Sea is a powerful and illuminating look at pivotal moments in the history of the Navy and of the United States. It is also a compelling study of the unchanging demands of leadership at sea, where commanders must make rapid decisions in the heat of battle with lives--and the fate of nations--hanging in the balance.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction, American History, Naval History, Nautical

378 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Craig Lee Symonds is a retired professor and former chairman of the history department at the United States Naval Academy. He earned both his MA (1969) and Ph.D. (1976) from the University of Florida.

Reviews

[Steve Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decision at Sea: 5 Naval Battles…

Craig Symonds has done it again. What a great history of the US Navy focused on 5 great naval battles. The story of each battle was riveting and I think it was the best, most concise coverage of Midway I have read. He also brings the challenges of naval superiority we face today up to date. Superb read.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

From thunderous broadsides traded between wooden sailing ships on Lake Erie, to the carrier battles of World War II, to the devastating high-tech action in the Persian Gulf, here is a gripping history of five key battles that defined the evolution of naval warfare--and the course of the American nation.
Acclaimed military historian Craig Symonds offers spellbinding narratives of crucial engagements, showing how each battle reveals the transformation of technology and weaponry from one war to the next; how these in turn transformed naval combat; and how each event marked a milestone in American history.
· Oliver Hazard Perry's heroic victory at Lake Erie, one of the last great battles of the Age of Sail, which secured the Northwestern frontier for the United States
· The brutal Civil War duel between the ironclads Monitor and Virginia, which sounded the death knell for wooden-hulled warships and doomed the Confederacy's hope of besting the Union navy
· Commodore Dewey's stunning triumph at Manila Bay in 1898, where the U.S. displayed its "new navy" of steel-hulled ships firing explosive shells and wrested an empire from a fading European power
· The hairsbreadth American victory at Midway, where aircraft carriers launched planes against enemies 200 miles away--and where the tide of World War II turned in the space of a few furious minutes
· Operation Praying Mantis in the Persian Gulf, where computers, ship-fired missiles, and "smart bombs" not only changed the nature of warfare at sea, but also marked a new era, and a new responsibility, for the United States.
Symonds records these encounters in detail so vivid that readers can hear the wind in the rigging and feel the pounding of the guns. Yet he places every battle in a wide perspective, revealing their significance to America's development as it grew from a new Republic on the edge of a threatening frontier to a global superpower.
Decision at Sea is a powerful and illuminating look at pivotal moments in the history of the Navy and of the United States. It is also a compelling study of the unchanging demands of leadership at sea, where commanders must make rapid decisions in the heat of battle with lives--and the fate of nations--hanging in the balance.

[Mark Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history perspective. The narrative keep the reader captivated, anticipating the next tidbit of information or connection between historical events.

Many things are obvious, but it is the context which Mr. Symonds provides which is so enjoyable. An example is the weeks long time lapse to get information from combat to Washington during the War of 1812; how when telegraph cables were laid commanders in combat theaters felt like errand boys due to “quick” orders from home. Yet by Operation Preying Mantice in the Gulf War, a pilot waited 3 minutes for the secretary of defense to be contacted, speak to the President, who authorized the pilot to fire. 3 minutes.

Mr. Symonds delivers on a unique comparison of five important naval engagements in American history. It was fascinating.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars I had very high hopes for this book, but it struggled in the end. I can't fault the author's choice of the first 4 battles, but I don't think he came anywhere near justifying the last one, Operation Praying Mantis. He might have been better with something like the Gulf of Tonkin incident. His descriptions of the naval battles were very well done and researched, but he struggled a bit with the background information, often times generalizing instead of digging deeper. I greatly appreciated all the illustrations and maps.

[Mark Peebler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The five battles are 1) The Battle of Lake Erie in 1813 2) The Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862 (Monitor vs Virginia) 3) The Battle of Manila Bay 1898 4) The Battle of Midway in 1942 5) Operation Praying Mantis in 1988. Very well written and insightful. I enjoyed very much reading about Perry's victory on Lake Erie, and I especially enjoyed the behind the scenes details of Operation Praying Mantis, which I remember from the news reports of the time (1988).

[Pierce Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at 5 battles of the US Navy and their long term implications for the United States, naval warfare, or power struggles globally. In depth analysis of the key players and moments of each conflict including how they developed, were fought, and the key outcomes. Succinct enough to scratch the itch of learning of each battle without needing to go through an entire book about each individual conflict.

[Howard H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Symonds can tell a story. Though some might quibble about the significance of some of the battles he chose, all would agree that he makes the events interesting. His accounts of Lake Erie, Monitor v Virginia and Midway are particularly compelling. These (and the others) manage to weave major strategy and tactics with human pathos and heroism. This book, like all from Symonds I've read, was educational and entertaining both.

HH

[Rick Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last several years, Craig L. Symonds has become one of my favorite authors. His writing style flows smoothly and creates in me the desire to continue to read and not put the book down. Decision at Sea is no different. In this book he weaves a story beginning with the War of 1812 on Lake Erie and connecting naval progress, the impact on American history and policies through the Second Gulf War. This is a great book.

[Ryan McGilloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great naval battles deserve great stories, and Symonds does a wonderful job of pulling together the details in a way that gives the reader a real appreciation for the battle in question. The Epilogue is a bit lengthy but does a great job of tying all of the battles together and painting a picture of where American Naval Policy/Power was at 15-20 years ago. I gotta say, he makes a great point at the end.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of five important naval battles. I’m not sure I agree that these were the most important for us, but they certainly did have impact. The most fun fact was that I learned where the expression“ fire when ready Gridley” came from. Hornfischer’s WWII books do a better job describing naval warfare but this one did enlighten me on other battles and on what “ships of the line” means

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having seen this book mentioned in a series I recently watched, it was nice to get this into my private library and it certainly lived up to its billing. I appreciated that the battles mentioned are not the ones so many would probably expect, and it did a great job taking into account the implications of each. A good solid read and a really good addition.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic from the author. This one looks at 5 battles that changed the course of U.S. history as well as the outcomes.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent dive into 5 micro cosms of our navel history!

[David Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent with many new insights. The best kind of book

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of five big naval battles

[Darren Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great deep dive on significant naval battles using a similar model as Victor Davis Hanson did in Carnage & Culture.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grad school grind. Naval history isn’t usually my cup of tea but Symonds changed my mind.

[Rick Cheeseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid historical accounting, as always.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decision at Sea covers the Battle of Lake Erie (1813), Hampton Roads (1862), Manila Bay (1898), Midway (1942), and Operation Praying Mantis (1988). As something of a bonus, the prologue covers the Battle of the Chesapeake (1781) and recent operations in the Persian Gulf.



With the exception of Midway, these battles do not ordinarily make the list of the "greats," which definitely adds to the interest, since (outside of Midway and the Monitor vs. the Virginia [ex-Merrimack] at Hampton Roads) these stories are not often told. Also, the focus is slightly different: Decision at Sea concentrates on those battles that marked turning points in the history of the United States, an angle not usually considered:



- The Battle of Lake Erie secured the northwestern frontier and enabled the initial phase of westward expansion

- Manila Bay marked the emergence of the US as a world imperial power, even if somewhat accidentally

- Midway was the turning point of World War II in the Pacific and set the US on course to become a postwar "superpower"

- Praying Mantis (the most obscure of the battles covered) set the current course of close engagement in the Persian Gulf region and highlighted the role (positive and negative) of the US as the "world policeman"



One could argue that Hampton Roads does not really belong in this group, but a book of this nature could hardly pass over the Civil War without comment, and the Monitor-"Merrimack" fight can serve as well as many-- although, from a strategic standpoint, i think a good case could have been made for Farragut at New Orleans or at Mobile Bay instead.



The alert reader will pick up on some of the threads of continuity... heroes of one fight frequently have vessels named after them involved in the following sections, for instance.



Great read.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good. I'm nearing the end of the second key naval battle Symonds discusses, which means I finished reading about Oliver Hazard Perry's battle on Lake Erie. Symonds unfolded the story of that naval battle and the days leading up to it like a novel. Stripped of the lesser details and unnecessary background information - the first two chapters have been factual storytelling at its best. If the rest of the book keeps up the pace and excitement, I would recommend it as a highly readable summary of some of the USN's most important naval battles.

UPDATE:
The rest of this book didn't disappoint. If you want concise accounts of the selected naval battles, you're in for a treat. In the end, Lake Erie and Earnest Will/Praying Mantis were my favorite. In fact, Symonds' account of Praying Mantis inspired me to read Inside the Danger Zone by Harold Lee Wise.

[Marvin Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fiction writer I find a lot of research material to be less than thrilling. Fortunately, Symonds' structure and prose make each of the five battles recounted here accessible and just plain fun to read. Granted, once the author moves from the actual history to projections of how history was changed by each, we enter the realm of speculation, but, Symonds acknowledges this up front. I especially found his comments following The Battle of Manila Bay to be particularly compelling: how one military commander's decision making process involved the United States in a bloody insurrection that lead to a new role for this country as a hegemonic power. In short, if you are seeking an accessible commentary on America's growth into a world superpower, Decision at Sea, offers up five solid examples of how the US Navy has become the strong arm of global projection into the modern century.

[William Bradford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good: A very detailed analysis of four battles (the last is more a series)that had a profound effect on American history. Minutely researched descriptions of the battles, their place in history, and how they affected American history. Great fir people who love naval history.
The bad: Anytime you try to extrapolate that one one naval engagement changed overall history (not just naval history) you are walking into the realm of conjecture. The author acknowledges this in the acknowledgements. I can definitely buy Midway being the turning point of the Pacific theater in World War II, and Hampton Roads certainly changed naval warfare forever, but I felt the conclusions were sometimes a bit of a reach. This was especially evident in the final chapter and epilogue.

[Jared Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five major battles in US Naval History - each of which had a huge impact on US National History.

A book written by a teacher, rather than an writer. It was a different perspective, as the author discussed why he thought this battle was a milestone in US History.

An interesting book for me, as I had never spent significant time reading about Perry's victory on Lake Erie, the Monitor vs the CSS Virginia, Dewey's victory in Manila Bay, or the events in the Persian Gulf against the Iranian Navy in Operation Praying Mantis (The Battle of Midway was the other sea battle discussed in detail).

Anyway - great book - thoroughly enjoyed the read. Like sitting through an enjoyable history class.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid and accessible offering that mixes the larger historical picture with the lived impact of command decisions on individuals. Underlying Symonds's narrative is a focus on the technological advances that, while they have undergirded naval development worldwide, contribute to American dominance on the seas. The book boarders on the jingoistic at times, and those well versed in military history will find some of the chapters uninformative (the Monitor and Virginia and the Battle of Midway, for example). Despite continuing a listicle-like trend in popular histories that will surely doom us all (X things/people/events that shaped/changed/ended Y thing), I enjoyed reading his prose and learned more about several events from a less-familiar perspective.

[notabattlechick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably don't read enough naval history. It's just not my thing - but I enjoyed this book. It is well-written and engaging. Symonds examines pivotal naval battles in American history--Lake Erie, Hampton Roads, Manila Bay, Midway, and Praying Mantis. The Introduction also includes a short narrative and analysis of the Battle of the Capes in the American Revolution. These battles allow Symonds to examine both developments in naval technology, operations, and strategy but also in American history and foreign relations. Sometimes, Symonds's conclusions and conjectures about the course of history seem overstated - but this is a forgivable sin given the topic and framework for the book.

[Matthew Dambro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is clearly an expert on naval history. However, he stretches too far in assessing the importance of these naval battles. As a synopsis of the role of technology in naval warfare he is spot on. But as he tries to draw social and political conclusions from the increasing reliance on training and technology in war at sea, he overstates his case. His style is a wonder to behold. He takes battles at sea which are notoriously difficult to describe and explain and makes them clear and even gripping narratives. His assessments might go a step too far but his writing is beautiful.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had already read his book on the Battle of Midway, so that portion of this book was somewhat redundant. He is a gifted writer, able to take a lot of facts but still keep the narrative easy to read. Putting each of these battles in historical context and showing just how quickly naval warfare has developed was an interesting historical exercise. I found the section on Operation Praying Mantis to be a great illustration of just how quickly ship captains have to make decisions with fateful consequences. Great way to "get smart" on a few of the major milestones in US Naval history.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great overview of the advancement of the United States as a player on the world stage from the point of view of its naval forces. Starting from a battle where the major difficulty was getting any ships at all built and into position, it shows how much the US Navy has changed, and with it the attitudes of the country towards war, foreign powers, and world responsibilities.

[Jt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a great overview of 5 major naval battles throughout the US history and describes how they influenced US history on a large scale. It also ended with a great prologue describing modern naval warfare and how it changed after 9/11. Great history, but also a fun read.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to rate a book about naval history with five stars, but if I were judging it among other books about naval history I'd give it five stars. This book takes something that sounds as boring as 'naval history' and made the subject enjoyable, exciting, and fun to read. Good book.