The Last Century of Sea Poer From Washington to Tokyo, 1922}}}1945 [Hardcover]

In this second volume of his history of naval power in the 20th century, H. P. Willmott follows the fortunes of the established seafaring nations of Europe along with two upstartsthe United States and Japan. Emerging from World War I in command of the seas, Great Britain saw its supremacy weakened through neglect and in the face of more committed rivals. Britains grand Coronation Review of 1937 marked the apotheosis of a sea power slipping into decline. Meanwhile, Britains rivals and soon-to-be enemies were embarking on significant naval building programs that would soon change the nature of war at sea in ways that neither they nor their rivals anticipated. By the end of a new world war, the United States had taken command of two oceans, having placed its industrial might behind technologies that further defined the arena of naval power above and below the waves, where stealth and the ability to strike at great distance would soon rewrite the rules of war and of peace. This splendid volume further enhances Willmotts stature as the dean of naval historians.

The author, dean of naval historians, provides a sweeping look at, and analysis of, the transformation of naval power . . . [His] dry wit and sense of irony add spice to the impressive array of facts and analysis of the preatesst period of naval warfare. Wilmott is fearless in his judgments.December 2010

List of Chapter Appendixes
List of Maps and a Diagram
List of Tables
I. Naval Races and Wars
1. Introduction: Washington, London, and Two Very Separate Wars, 1921 - 1941
2. Washington and London
3. Ethiopia and Spain
4. Japan and Its Special Undeclared War
II. Introduction to the Second World War
5. Navies, Sea Power, and Two or More Wars
III. The Second World War: The European Theater
6. Britain and the Defeat of the U-boat Guerre de Course
7. With Friends like These
8. Italy and the War in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
9. The Lesser Allied Navies lÓæ