Seapower States : Maritime Culture, Continental Empires and the Conflict That Made the Modern World

One of the most eminent historians of our age investigates the extraordinary success of five small maritime states Andrew Lambert, author of The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812—winner of the prestigious Anderson Medal—turns his attention to Athens, Carthage, Venice, the Dutch Republic, and Britain, examining how their identities as “seapowers” informed their actions and enabled them to achieve success disproportionate to their size.Lambert demonstrates how creating maritime identities made these states more dynamic, open, and inclusive than their lumbering continental rivals. Only when they forgot this aspect of their identity did these nations begin to decline. Recognizing that the United States and China are modern naval powers—rather than seapowers—is essential to understanding current affairs, as well as the long-term trends in world history. This volume is a highly original “big think” analysis of five states whose success—and eventual failure—is a subject of enduring interest, by a scholar at the top of his game.“Seapower States offers a wide-ranging analysis of how and why different seapowers have emerged and declined. In crisp and assertive prose, Lambert points out parallels and congruences between different states, arguing that they chose to construct ‘seapower’ identities. An impressive and important contribution.”—James Davey, author of In Nelson’s Wake “An excellent much needed long-view historical narrative of the ideas of seapower and sea power. It shows how the classical heritage of the histories of the Peloponnesian and Punic wars have informed the rhetoric, grammar, metaphors and iconography of international politics for 500 years. It is well-written and well-structured, and leads to an important and provocative discussion of seapower and sea power in contemporary international relations.” —Richard Harding, author of Modern Naval History "A fascinating geopolitical chronicle . . . A superb survey of the perennial opportunities and risks in what Herman Melville called 'the watery part of the world.'" — The Wall Street Journal In this volume, one of the most eminent historians of our age investigates the extraordinary success of five small maritime states. Andrew Lambert, author of The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812 —winner of the prestigious Anderson Medal—turns his attention to Athens, Carthage, Venice, the Dutch Republic, and Britain, examining how their identities as "seapowers" informed their actions and enabled them to achieve success disproportionate to their size. Lambert demonstrates how creating maritime identities made these states more dynamic, open, and inclusive than their lumbering continental rivals. Only when they forgot this aspect of their identity did these nations begin to decline. Recognizing that the United States and China are modern naval powers—rather than seapowers—is essential to understanding current affairs, as well as the long-term trends in world history. This volume is a highly original "big think" analysis of five states whose success—and eventual failure—is a subject of enduring interest, by a scholar at the top of his game. "An intriguing series of stories of communities thinking seriously about how to stand their own ground when outpowered, how to do so in ways that are consistent with their values, and sometimes how to negotiate the descent from being a great power when the cards just aren't in their favor any more. These are timely questions." — Times Higher Education Supplement "Lambert is, without a doubt, the most insightful naval historian writing today." — The Times One of the most eminent historians of our age investigates the extraordinary success of five small maritime states

Andrew Lambert, author of The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812—winner of the prestigious Anderson Medal—turns his attention to Athens, Carthage, Venice, the Dutch Republic, and Britain, examining how their identities as “seapowers” informed their actions and enabled them to achieve success disproportionate to their size.

Lambert demonstrates how creating maritime identities made these states more dynamic, open, and inclusive than their lumbering continental rivals. Only when they forgot this aspect of their identity did these nations begin to decline. Recognizing that the United States and China are modern naval powers—rather than seapowers—is essential to understanding current affairs, as well as the long-term trends in world history. This volume is a highly original “big think” analysis of five states whose success—and eventual failure—is a subject of enduring interest, by a scholar at the top of his game. Andrew Lambert, Author Of The Challenge: Britain Against America In The Naval War Of 1812--winner Of The Prestigious Anderson Medal--turns His Attention To Athens, Carthage, Venice, The Dutch Republic, And Britain, Examining How Their Identities As Seapowers Informed Their Actions And Enabled Them To Achieve Success Disproportionate To Their Size. Lambert Demonstrates How Creating Maritime Identities Made These States More Dynamic, Open, And Inclusive Than Their Lumbering Continental Rivals. Only When They Forgot This Aspect Of Their Identity Did These Nations Begin To Decline. Recognizing That The United States And China Are Modern Naval Powers--rather Than Seapowers--is Essential To Understanding Current Affairs, As Well As The Long-term Trends In World History. This Volume Is A Highly Original Big Think Analysis Of Five States Whose Success--and Eventual Failure--is A Subject Of Enduring Interest, By A Scholar At The Top Of His Game. Andrew Lambert. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Andrew Lambert, author of The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812 —winner of the prestigious Anderson Medal—turns his attention to Athens, Carthage, Venice, the Dutch Republic, and Britain, examining how their identities as “seapowers” informed their actions and enabled them to achieve success disproportionate to their size. Lambert demonstrates how creating maritime identities made these states more dynamic, open, and inclusive than their lumbering continental rivals. Only when they forgot this aspect of their identity did these nations begin to decline. Recognizing that the United States and China are modern naval powers—rather than seapowers—is essential to understanding the current affairs, as well as long-term trends in world history. This volume is a highly original “big think” analysis of five states whose success—and eventual failure—is a subject of enduring interest, by a scholar at the top of his game.