Understanding Naval Warfare

by Ian Speller

This updated new edition of Understanding Naval Warfare offers the reader an accessible introduction to the study of modern naval warfare, providing a thorough grounding in the vocabulary, concepts, issues and debates, set within the context of relevant history. The third edition explains traditional concepts and explores current and emerging ideas concerning the theory and practice of naval warfare, relating these to recent events including Sino-American naval competition and the Russian-Ukraine War. Navies operate in an environment that most people do not understand and that many avoid. They are equipped with a bewildering range of ships, craft and other vessels and types of equipment, the purpose of which is often unclear. Writings on naval warfare are usually replete with references to esoteric concepts explained in specialist language that can serve as a barrier to understanding. This book cuts through the obscure and the arcane to offer a clear, coherent and accessible guide to the key features of naval warfare which will equip the reader with the knowledge and understanding necessary for a sophisticated engagement with the subject. The new edition is divided into two key parts. The first focuses on concepts of naval warfare and introduces readers to the ideas associated with the theory and practice of naval operations and includes a chapter where the history of the last century of naval warfare is explored in order to illustrate the key concepts. The second part focuses on the conduct of war at sea and on peacetime roles for contemporary navies and now includes new material on hybrid warfare and grey zone operations and on joint warfare, multi-domain operations and integrated deterrence within the context of evolving great power rivalry at sea. This textbook will be essential reading for students of naval warfare, sea power and maritime security and is highly recommended for those studying military history, strategic studies and security studies in general.

Genres: Military Fiction, War, Naval History, Nonfiction, World History, Military History

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2013

Reviews

[Brendan Steinhauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading a lot about naval history and naval strategy over the past few months, and this is one of the best books I've read on the topic. It's very readable, and while it contains enough technical details to educate the reader, it does not overwhelm him. Ian Speller has done a great job writing a book that is accessible to not only scholars of strategy, history, and naval power -- but to undergraduates, laymen, and casual readers.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding survey of naval warfare that draws on history and demonstrates the continuity of great power naval doctrine since the Crimean war. The book also to its credit covers constabulary operations in addition to warfare and contributes to the discussion of the role of a modern navy to maintain good order at sea. While it could use a slight update for Russia's capabilities that were showcased in Syria--i.e., land attack cruise missile capability and whatever spooked the U.S. Navy into racing SeaRAM anti-missile defenses onto additional platforms--the book is thoroughly up to date with the latest developments in China and China's neighbors.

Written by an Irishman, it provides an outsider perspective and is not solely dedicated to U.S. naval doctrine and highlights other anglophone powers: Britain, India and Australia.

The book includes a further reading list at the end of each chapter that is the "double-click" on the information presented in the chapter.

[Denis Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read on some of the principles behind modern naval warfare. Gives a good understanding to someone who has always looked at land battles with frontlines etc.

[Erik Wibaeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains the basics of naval warfare in great depth and dose so with a vocabulary that is suited both for those who have english as their native language and for those who learned it later in life.
The first chapters are vital to understanding the later half of the book since they become references later on.
An absolute must for a naval officer of any kind.

[Divvy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

for a civilian who just wandered in, i actually understood a lot. props to the author's writing style. loved it.