Command of the Seas

by John F. Lehman Jr.

This infectiously readable memoir by the most colorful and controversial Navy Secretary in memory provides the inside story of the origins and battles at home and abroad in building a 600-ship Navy. Young, bright, and ambitious, John Lehman came to office refusing to be just another figurehead. For the six years he served in the Reagan administration, he helped forge an aggressive strategy for achieving maritime supremacy and for rebuilding the U.S. Navy. In this bestselling personal account of those years between 1981 and 1987, he speaks with candor and authority about the ills of the military establishment and the struggles and frustrations he encountered.
Lehman reveals instances of political intrigue, including his dramatic Oval Office confrontation with Admiral Rickover at the time of the admiral's firing in 1982 and battles within the Pentagon and Congress. His explanation of the administration's new naval strategy has been called the most comprehensive and lucid ever written, and his descriptions of the Navy in combat over Libya, Lebanon, and Grenada are packed with fascinating details that only an insider could know. The bold insights he presents of a critical turning point in the Cold War will continue to inform and, with the addition of new material to this paperback edition, promise to renewed discussion of the role of the U.S. Navy then and into the future.

Genres: History

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

John Francis Lehman Jr. is a former secretary of the US Navy (1981–1987) during the Reagan administration in which he promoted the creation of a 600-ship navy.

Reviews

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Lehman was born in Pennsylvania in 1942. Lehman began his career in the Air Force Reserve, but ultimately joined the United States Navy in 1968. He rose through the ranks to become a commander, and also served under Henry Kissinger on the National Security Council. In 1981, President Regan appointed him Secretary Of The Navy. He served in that capacity until 1987. During his time in that role, he posited and strongly advocated for the creation of a 600 ship Navy. He did several other things, especially in regard to furthering the Navy during his time as Secretary.

One non-naval thing I learned about the author is that he is the first cousin of Grace Kelly, once removed. I am a Grace Kelly fan, so I thought that tidbit was especially interesting. In fact, he was/still is on the Princess Grace Foundation (USA), which supports artists in film and dance.

I was gifted this book by a friend who served in the United States Navy. She knew that I enjoyed war books, and this was in a box of several books that she mailed me. I am thankful for good friends who like to gift me books! I hate that it took me so long to get around to reading this particular one, but I am diligently working through my unread items in my effort to downsize. As far as this particular book goes, I found it more interesting that I first thought that I would. I am not very well versed on Naval history, so I had hoped to learn a bit about that, and did. I also enjoy personal memoirs about military service, so it was a win in that department as well. I was a little concerned about the content, because of the political affiliation of the author, but it did not contain a slew of hate speech and rudeness, which was a great relief. Learning about the plan for a 600 ship Navy was very interesting, especially since this book gives a behind the scenes look at it. Overall, this was an enjoyable book. If you are interested in the US Navy, this might be one for you!

[Jonnie Enloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one of Reagan's cold warriors he basically saved our Navy from the scrap heap and brought it into the new technological age. Great Story

[Robert Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good memoir, if you are interested in the topic.