|
To Rule the Waves (平装)
by Arthur Herman
| Category:
Business, Leadership, Entrepreneur |
| Market price: ¥ 178.00
MSL price:
¥ 158.00
[ Shop incentives ]
|
| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Comprehensive and well written, informative but entertaining – this book covers the history of the Royal Navy and its role in stopping Napoleon, projecting British power and helping colonial expansion around the world. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
|
| |
AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 10 items |
|
|
Jay Freeman (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
Unlike many of the great empires of the nineteenth century or those of antiquity, the British empire was not based upon contiguous territory. With their imperial possessions separated by vast oceans and large landmasses, it was essential for the British to develop and maintain a mighty navy to supply and exploit the empire's resources. Herman, who has been a professor of history and the coordinator of the Western Heritage Program at the Smithsonian, writes a stirring account of the origins and evolution of the British navy. He also presents convincing arguments that illustrate that many of the broad strategic goals pursued by the British continue to be pursued by American geopolitical strategists today. This is an exciting chronicle filled with colorful characters and enthralling adventures; some of these men, such as Francis Drake and James Cook, are already imperial icons, but Herman also relates stories and exploits of more obscure but equally compelling figures who helped establish and preserve the greatest maritime empire in history. |
|
|
Mark (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
This is an excellent overview of the history of the Royal Navy from medieval times to the modern era. The book dispells a few myths along the way and makes a splendid read.
|
|
|
Tom (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
This is an excellent overview of the history of the Royal Navy from medieval times to the modern era. The book dispells a few myths along the way and makes a splendid read.
|
|
|
Alice (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
Unlike Arther Herman, I never really caught what he cals "The Royal Navy Bug." That said, after reading "To Rule the Waves: How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World," I can honestly say that I wish I had.
Herman's book isn't so much a history of the Royal Navy as it is a tribute to it, as well as to Britain's once mighty sea-going prowess. Deftly navigating a path between the twin dangers of fawning romanticism and cold objectivity, the author's prose sweeps the reader along from page to page, like the winds that once powered those wonderful sailing ships of old.
From Sir Francis Drake to Lord Nelson, Herman successfully brings to light both the great triumphs and near disasters of this once-invincible instrument of world power. But he doesn't fall into trap of less-gifted writers and turn his book into a mere history of Royal Navy battles. Instead he peppers the narrative with keen insights about both the main historical figures and players in the navy's development, to the origin of such things as four square meals a day, to how the rise of the navy led to the development of modern cartography.
In this Herman goes beyond the mere scope of his subject and really demonstrates a sound grasp of his topic and its role within the wider world in which it developed. This makes "To Rule the Waves" not just another book on the Royal Navy but a history about the development of the modern industrial world.
If there are any flaws with "To Rule the Waves" its that the information presented sometimes seems almost too brief and may not be detailed enough for serious-minded students of British history, naval and otherwise. Yet like James M. MacPherson's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Battle Cry of Freedom," the richness of the prose and the deft sprinkling of curious anecdotes and facts, carry the reader along from page to page until, at the end, you feel both refreshed, informed, and exhilarated.
A truly wonderful read by a truly wonderful author. "To Rule the Waves: How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World" by Arthur Herman is a fine work, a good read, and a great addition to anyone's library.
|
|
|
Jacky (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
Recommended to me by an Anglophile, I was leery of this history book. But it was great fun to read, and put into context much of the British success as colonialists. It also recalled the amazing days of the wooden fighting ship, and highlighted the devastating effect of the submarine on modern naval warfare. While some reviewers have quibbled over details, these hardly matter to the sweeping story.
|
|
|
Jackson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
Bravo for Mr. Herman! His perspective on the affect of the British raj and, in particular, the navy on the development of the Western world is excellent and educational. The phenomenon of a relatively small nation exerting its influence around the globe by extending its power through a superbly constructed and manned navy is, as yet, unmatched. For fully two centuries, until World War II finally exhausted the potential, the British policy of open sea lanes and its enforcement thereof permitted the development of the New World through trade with the Old. This includes the United States, whose loss as a colony severely dented the Empire, but eventiually created the power which has succeeded Britain as world guarantor.
Mr. Herman is good on detail, but the real strength of the book is his explanation of how naval development and use affected the world as a whole. He is candid about the problems, both physical and political, and respectful of those individuals who, even in bad times, retained the foresight to keep the navy, and, thus, the Empire, on an even keel.
An excellent read for anyone interested in Western history.
|
|
|
Robinson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
Written by the highly regarded author Arthur Herman, this book was just recently published by Harper Collins. As a general comment this is not a narrow navy history book. In fact this is an impressive general interest history book that it will likely become a best seller. It manages to be comprehensive and well written, informative but entertaining. It does what a good book should do for the general reader - fill in many historical details since around 1500 and the time of the Tudors and Henry VIII to the present day. This was when the new world was discovered first by Columbus and others. The Royal Navy had its fitst growth spurt from 5 to 50 ships under the rule of Henry VIII. The author does all of this in an easy to read fashion.
In some places the book is written in an easy flowing style almost like a novel, such as a Hornblower book or similar. Often he takes us through hurricanes, Atlantic storms and other adventures describing the scenes blow by blow with quotes from the participants. Other parts of the book contain reviews and discussions of historical developments and English politics. There are numerous references at the back of the book to support the quotations and details - about 50 pages of source notes.
It is approximately 600 pages long and contains about eleven maps showing naval actions. It covers the history of the Royal Navy and its role in stopping Napoleon and projecting British power and helping colonial expansion around the world. It is very broad and wide ranging covering twenty two different topics in chronological order.
The book starts with a dramatic description of John Hawkins an early English sailor and his group of five ships making their way through a tropical hurricane in the Caribbean in 1568 and their battle with Spanish treasure ships at San Juan de Ulloa. He goes to provide background information on England and the build up of the navy starting with Henry VIII, and its challenge to the large Spanish empire stretching from Tunisia to Manilla. Spain at that time received much wealth from silver mines in Peru and Mexico and was vulnerable on the open seas and small ports where the goods were transported.
We read of Frobisher in the North Atlantic, Drake and his ship the Pelican in the Pacific, his secret around the world voyage, Elizabeth and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in the channel in 1588, English pirate ships (privateers), Cromwell and the 133 ship navy, and the consolidation of Scotland, Ireland, and England as a single political entity.
We read of Anson and his many management changes to the navy in the mid 1700's, then a breakdown and loss of control of the seas in 1780 including simultaneous troubles in Gibraltar, America, and the West Indies with a land war in America. America was lost but Rodney stopped the French in Martinique and reversed the downward trend of the Royal Navy. We learn of new ship technology, political and historical changes, and more.
The book continues and takes us through the Napoleonic era and World War I. that takes to approximately page 520. The rest of the book - about 50 pages or so describes the end of the dominance by the Royal Navy, then briefly the second World War and some information albeit brief on the Falkland crisis.
This is a very well written book that is informative and easy to read. An obvious 5 stars.
|
|
|
Zecon (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
Arthur Herman's effort here is most impressive. He captures the complete Royal Navy's history from its most humble, if not dastardly, beginnings as privateers struggling for their very existence against the then world superpower, the Spanish, to its evolution as worldwide hegemonic force that supported a global empire, and to its eventual decline after World War II. The British Empire was built and sustained by the Royal Navy. Herman sustains this narrative from its start in the Elizabethan age to the present with unparalleled ability to capture and present the details with alacrity and conciseness. He never leaves the reader wondering what the point was or lost in a maze of pointless historical details.
Ultimately, Herman shows that though the Pax Britannia has waned, its influence has not been lost. America as its geopolitical successor has presided over the Pax American. In this day and age of the Global War on Terrorism where the US is locked in a land battle in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are lessons to be learned from the Royal Navy. The broad strategic goals of the US need to be supported by a strong and modern blue ocean Navy. Herman links a strong Navy with a robust geopolitical strength and ultimately the ability to enforce a nation's will anywhere on the globe.
In 2006 the US Navy plans on buying only four warships and to drop its aircraft carrier fleet from twelve to eleven, pointing to a shift in resources away from the Navy to its brethren in arms on the ground. While many argue that transformation will offset reductions to the size of the US Navy force, it should not be forgotten that quantity does have a quality all its own. It seems that this may be the price we will pay to conduct land operations in Iraq. But it may be price to high to sustain Pax Americana. As Herman pointed out in the last chapter, the Royal Navy was cut to sustain British Army obligations to NATO after World War II. It never recovered and neither did Britain as a world power.
|
|
|
Jackson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
This guy has copied and pasted exactly the same comments for several books. He's clearly got some kind of agenda. Here's the verbage:
"I have never seen a book so full of factual errors as this one. There are better books out there on this subject - don't waste your money.
Incidentally, Herman is a well-known white supremacist. Potential customers should keep this in mind (even if they don't have a problem with it)."
|
|
|
Nicole (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
This guy has copied and pasted exactly the same comments for several books. He's clearly got some kind of agenda. Here's the verbage:
"I have never seen a book so full of factual errors as this one. There are better books out there on this subject - don't waste your money.
Incidentally, Herman is a well-known white supremacist. Potential customers should keep this in mind (even if they don't have a problem with it)."
|
|
|
|
1 Total 1 pages 10 items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
