The onset of steam powered and steel-clad naval vessels in the mid-19th century dramatically changed the character of naval warfare. The prolific Black (Univ. of Exeter), whose ability to write concise historical surveys is unparalleled, has written a succinct but robustly detailed narrative that superbly melds technological developments, industrial economics, and the geo-strategy of power projection, hallmarks of the modern sea power era. Most naval history focuses on the first half of the 19th century, but Black ushers in the era skillfully in his opening chapter and efficiently brings the story through the Cold War into contemporary analysis.... [A]s a wealth of information about modern naval wars, offered with Black’s usual eloquence and sprinkling of quirky but fascinating tidbits, this history is a compelling read.
Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.— Choice Reviews
The book’s strengths lie in Black’s wide field of historical view and broad interpretation of naval competition. To Black’s credit, he has relied upon much of the latest scholarship in naval history to craft his narrative, citing not just the latest operational and organizational histories but also works concerning the culture and politics of naval affairs. It is worth examining his notes and further reading recommendations at the end of the volume…. Naval Warfare is a worthwhile single-volume survey…. For those seeking a textbook or an introduction to the subject, this book would make a fine choice because of its comprehensiveness and clarity.— Military History
Jeremy Black’s global and strategic approach is ambitious but highly successful. Regardless of a reader’s interests, everyone will discover new and important insights in this rich study.
— Forum Navale
One word summarizes Professor Jeremy Black’s masterful synopsis of naval warfare since 1860: outstanding. Whether the reader is a deep specialist with decades of knowledge and direct experience of the subject, or an interested lay reader with a penchant for naval history, this fine book suits all. . . . [A] very clear, concise, precise, and highly readable picture of naval changes in history, but also the most devastating conflicts in the history of the world. . . . What he does is make us totally aware that in an age of Chinese maritime expansion, renewed challenges at sea from Russia, and other seaborne threats, maritime power and indeed a grand naval strategy for the Western powers is undoubtedly the key to maintaining the vital national interests of the Western democracies and their key global allies.
— War in History
Black presents an intriguing and quite lucid exploration of maritime strategy, sea power, and naval development. . . . Naval Warfare: A Global Historyought to be a must read for anyone who is interested in maritime strategy and the role of sea power and navies in determining the global balance of power and the rise and fall of states. Its appeal spans well beyond naval enthusiasts to encompass policy-makers, military personnel, defense experts, strategists and the like, as well as the general reader, worldwide.— Journal of World History
Jeremy Black has an international reputation for his prolific writings on the past, present and future of politics, diplomacy, warfare, strategy, empire, historiography, cartography, the press, and even the historical context of James Bond. . . This book exhibits all his trademark qualities as a writer and historian: accessibility, wide and recondite learning, global approaches, long chronological spans, lateral thinking, striking observations, and confident exposition. Often provocative, he is unfailingly interesting, with the ability to see familiar issues in new ways, and to leave the reader with food for thought on important subjects. . . . While each reader will find opinions with which to differ, the book has something informed, perceptive, and sensible to say about virtually everything within its scope, and is highly recommended for its rich and intriguing detail as well as thematic imagination.
— Australian Naval Institute
This book exhibits all [Black's] trademark qualities as a writer and historian: accessibility, wide and recondite learning, global approaches, long chronological spans, lateral thinking, striking observations, and confident exposition. Often provocative, he is unfailingly interesting, with the ability to see familiar issues in new ways, and to leave the reader with food for thought on important subjects. . . . While each reader will find opinions with which to differ, the book has something informed, perceptive, and sensible to say about virtually everything within its scope, and is highly recommended for its rich and intriguing detail as well as thematic imagination.
— The NYMAS Review
In Naval Warfare: A Global History, the acclaimed historian Jeremy Black presents a fascinating, lucid study on sea power, maritime strategy, and naval transformation. Starting with the birth of modern navies in the middle of the nineteenth century and ranging to our own times, Black examines the strategic, operational, and force-planning dilemmas faced by leaders who build and use naval might. At a time when the United States and the great powers of Asia are acquiring ever-greater capabilities to contest control of the maritime commons, Black’s insights into naval strategy and warfare are sorely needed. Naval Warfare should be read by all who are interested in grand strategy and the role of sea power in determining the fate of nations.— John H. Maurer, U.S. Naval War College
This is the rare book that will appeal to a wide audience, including the general reader seeking an engaging overview as well as the naval specialist, who will benefit from the insights of the foremost interpreter of modern military history on the macrolevel. From his analysis of the introduction of the ironclad to his assessment of the present and future of the world’s navies, Jeremy Black offers an appreciation of the broader contexts not often found in works of naval history.— Lawrence Sondhaus, University of Indianapolis
Jeremy Black excels in laying out wide-ranging themes, bringing forward neglected aspects of a subject, and creating a narrative full of fascinating detail to provide his readers with some provocative conclusions and considerations for the present day. This talent is fully displayed in this new study of naval warfare. Black’s analysis sharply demonstrates the complexity and significance of naval warfare over the last one hundred and fifty years and poses important questions for our understanding of the role of navies in the future.— Richard Harding, University of Westminster