The second edition of Sea Power presents a complete history of the world's navies from antiquity to the present. From the opening chapter on galley warfare, through a section on Japanese naval history, to the rise and decline of the British navy and the rise and temporary decline of the American navy, readers will find a broad and colorful tapestry woven by respected naval historians.

The book focuses on the influences of sea power upon history as well as on naval operations — strategy, tactics, and logistics. It gives due consideration to changes in naval weapons and the administrative reforms brought about because of them.Sea Power is a lively history in which the personalities that shaped events stand out as sharply as the events themselves.