The Battle of Tsushima: The History and Legacy of the Decisive Naval Battle that Ended the Russo-Japanese War

"In this first of three volumes on sea power, the author reviews the story of political, economic, and military oceanic control from the 1890s through WWI." — Choice The transition to modern war at sea began during the period of the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the Spanish-American War (1898) and was propelled forward rapidly by the advent of the dreadnought and the nearly continuous state of war that culminated in World War I. By 1922, most of the elements that would define sea power in the 20th century were in place. Written by one of our foremost military historians, this volume acknowledges the complex nature of this transformation, focusing on imperialism, the growth of fleets, changes in shipbuilding and armament technology, and doctrines about the deployment and use of force at sea, among other factors. There is careful attention to the many battles fought at sea during this period and their impact on the future of sea power. The narrative is supplemented by a wide range of reference materials, including a detailed census of capital ships built during this period and a remarkable chronology of actions at sea during World War I. "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 greatest period of naval warfare. Wilmott is fearless in his judgments." — Seapower "This book, first of a series, contains a wealth of facts and opinions, the latter provided with Willmott's unerring analytical eye and mordant wit." —Bernard D. Cole, National War College The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 has been widely seen as a historical turning-point. For the first time in modern history an Asian and a European country competed on equal terms, overturning the prevailing balance of power. Based on a wide range of original source material in Russian, Japanese and other languages, this book goes beyond the military and international political grand narratives to examine the war's social, cultural, literary and intellectual impact in their historical context. In Japan the war reinforced the country's self-image as a'coming'nation, while in Russia, combined with the revolution of 1905 and later political and social upheaval, it was seen as separating the old régime from the new. Throughout the world,'spirit'was seen to be a decisive factor, and cultural considerations determined the war's interpretation. Featuring contributions by established scholars in the fields of military history and the history and literature of both Russia and Japan, this book offers for the first time a comparative perspective on the symbolic meaning of the conflict. "The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 has been widely seen as a historical turning-point. For the first time in modern history an Asian nation competed on equal terms with a European country and overturned the prevailing balance of power. Based on a wide range of sources in Russian, Japanese and other languages, this book goes beyond the military and world-political grand narratives to examine the war's social, cultural, literary and intellectual impact in its historical context. In Japan the war reinforced the country's self-image as a 'coming' nation, while in Russia, with the revolution of 1905 and later political and social upheaval, it was seen as separating the old regime from the new. Throughout the world, 'spirit' was seen to be a decisive factor, and everywhere cultural considerations determined the war's interpretation."--BOOK JACKET 1. Introduction / Sandra Wilson And David Wells -- 2. Willpower Or Firepower? The Unlearned Military Lessons Of The Russo-japanese War / S. P. Mackenzie -- 3. Traditions Of War Literature In Medieval Japan: A Study Of The Heike Monogatari / Rajyashree Pandey -- 4. Japanese Literary Responses To The Russo-japanese War / Tomoko Aoyama -- 5. Paradigms Of War In Russian Literature From The Twelfth To The Nineteenth Century / David Wells -- 6. The Russo-japanese War In Russian Literature / David Wells -- 7. Easts And Wests Befuddled: Russian Intelligentsia Responses To The Russo-japanese War / Adrian Jones -- 8. The Russo-japanese War And Japan: Politics, Nationalism And Historical Memory / Sandra Wilson. Edited By David Wells And Sandra Wilson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "James VI and I was the most prominent homosexual figure in early modern Britain, but no one has studied the subject in depth until now ... Contemporary writings critical of the king reveal a great deal about the way people in the early seventeenth century thought about sex. Here we find pre-modern views of effeminacy, manlinesss, sodomy and pedarasty; and we encounter premonitions of modern homosexuality and homophobia. This study of King James should appeal to anyone interested in British history, the royal family, the history of sexuality and the interplay between sex and politics"--BOOK JACKET 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 upstarts-the 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. Britain's grand Coronation Review of 1937 marked the apotheosis of a sea power slipping into decline. Meanwhile, Britain's rivals and soon-to-be enemies were embarking on significant naval building programs that would soon change the natur Based on a wide range of original source material in Russian, Japanese and other languages, this book goes beyond the military and international political grand narratives to examine the Russo-Japanese War's social, cultural, and intellectual impact