In Peace and War: Interpretations of American Naval History

by Kenneth J. Hagan (Editor), Michael T. McMaster (Editor)

This 30th anniversary edition of a highly acclaimed classic covers the entire span of the American naval experience from the Revolution to the present. It avoids descending into a dry chronology of naval battles and instead focuses on the use of the navy as a diplomatic instrument in peacetime and wartime. When dealing with war, the authors sketch in the political background and explain the grand strategy before dealing with individual battles and leaders. Each essay about the navy in war concludes with an assessment of the importance of naval operations to the outcome of the war and the significance of the war to America's role in world affairs. This book also traces changes in administrative premises and style, the evolution of technology, and the strategic revolutions characteristic of American naval history. This fully revised, 30th anniversary edition includes new chapters by current experts in the field so as to continue its relevance in the 21st century. An entirely new and up-to-date bibliography containing secondary sources help make this title better than ever.

Genres: History, American History, Naval History, Military History

388 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1984

About the author

Kenneth James Hagan is an American naval historian and retired faculty member of the United States Naval Academy and of the Naval War College's distance education faculty located at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Reviews

[Haden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good review of the shaping of the US Navy since the American Revolution. Read the 30th anniversary edition, which continues the discussion to post 9/11. Great companion piece to The American Way of War. I did find the chapters on WW II to be very superficial...requires supplemental reading for sure when using as a text book.

[Art Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good surface summary of US Naval history. A little sparse on notes for future research but never the less, a good complation of high points and the politics behind some of the decisions in procurement.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenneth Hagan's naval history text is not only a fantastic read, but a wealth of US Navy knowledge and facts. It was an enjoyable read from the front cover to the back cover. It can be a little dull at some points, but those dull points are easily counteracted by riveting information and history in other parts of the book.