Sea Power

The History and Geopolitics of the World's Oceans

By: Admiral James Stavridis USN - Ret.

Narrated by: Marc Cashman

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

From one of the most admired admirals of his generation - and the only admiral to serve as supreme allied commander at NATO - comes a remarkable voyage through all of the world's most important bodies of water, providing the story of naval power as a driver of human history and a crucial element in our current geopolitical path.

From the time of the Greeks and the Persians clashing in the Mediterranean, sea power has determined world power. To an extent that is often underappreciated, it still does. No one understands this better than Admiral Jim Stavridis. In Sea Power, Admiral Stavridis takes us with him on a tour of the world's oceans from the admiral's chair, showing us how the geography of the oceans has shaped the destinies of nations and how naval power has in a real sense made the world we live in today and will shape the world we live in tomorrow.

Not least, Sea Power is marvelous naval history, giving us fresh insight into great naval engagements from the battles of Salamis and Lepanto through to Trafalgar, the Battle of the Atlantic, and submarine conflicts of the Cold War. It is also a keen-eyed reckoning with the likely sites of our next major naval conflicts, particularly the Arctic Ocean, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the South China Sea. Finally, Sea Power steps back to take a holistic view of the plagues to our oceans that are best seen that way, from piracy to pollution.

When most of us look at a globe, we focus on the shape of the seven continents. Admiral Stavridis sees the shapes of the seven seas. After listening to Sea Power, you will, too. Not since Alfred Thayer Mahan's legendary The Influence of Sea Power upon History have we had such a powerful reckoning with this vital subject.

©2017 James Stavridis (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"No one understands the importance of the oceans and their impact on today's security better than Admiral Jim Stavridis. He is a leader and a sailor who stands out in every way. This is a must-read book.” (Senator John McCain)

“Stavridis, a retired US Navy admiral, summons the collected knowledge of his extensive career as an operational commander to provide insight into navies’ routine functioning… It’s a stimulating and provocative work…a timely reminder that oceans may seemed tamed - but that’s only true on the surface.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Marvelous and essential...[Stavridis] not only describes what his subtitle promises - the history and geopolitics of the world’s oceans - but also seeks to accomplish something far more elusive, sophisticated, and significant: To show how service at sea in one of the world’s great global navies simultaneously expands tactical, operational, strategic, and policy knowledge and skills in an officer and - most important - develops insights in him or her regarding myriad possible interconnections among those levels of conflict.... This is a book for all sailors and policymakers, and especially for those who are both.” (Proceedings Magazine)

Amazing book, amazing audio book reader...

One of the best "easy reading" on the Geopolitics of the Sea.

James Stavridis didn't take the pedagogic route , nor did he take the route of a boring historian. He sounded like exactly what he is -- an Admiral, and took the readers around the seas surrounding the planet earth and provided a brief, but still deep, understanding of the key Geopolitics of the respective body of waters.

I highly recommend this book /audio book for anyone who is interested about Sea Power.

Excellent review of sea power

A great review of the history of sea power and its application in today’s world.

Highly Recommend. Brilliant, engaging & thoughtful

Knowing that Admiral Jim Stavridis was shortlisted as a vice-presidential nominee for both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s campaigns I was looking forward to this treatise from such a widely respected and experienced four star admiral who now serves as Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. The Admiral presents a vivid, entertaining, thoughtful and brilliant blend of maritime history, geopolitics and international affairs across the entire globe. The book is peppered with anecdotes and personal experiences during his service in the Navy, from midshipman to four star admiral, which adds life to the text and gives it a personal tone. So much is written about the quest for territory, but a greater understanding of the oceans and sea power has been sorely needed. The book gives a view of the world looking onshore from the seas and of how sea power has shaped our history, civilization and geopolitics. The chapters are divided by each of the globe’s major bodies of water, the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic, Arctic, etc., a fascinating journey where you would be well-served to have a map near at hand. Stavridis’ analysis provides the reader with valuable insights regarding the current state of security in different areas of the globe and prescriptions to address some of the ongoing threats in the different regions, such as China’s emergence as a global maritime power and muscle in the South China Sea or how to deal with North Korea. He even provides a fascinating view of the strategic and commercial importance of the Arctic Ocean and the positions of different stakeholders. As former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe for NATO (the only admiral to hold that post) he also provides some very valuable insights on the importance of cooperation and uses of soft and hard power. Stavridis is not just a military man, but also a consummate diplomat and student of history and culture. A Renaissance Admiral. Stavridis' extensive knowledge and personal experience make the book not only interesting and enlightening but thankfully an accessible and entertaining experience to listen.

Excellent

Very educational with a touch of personal story. I strongly recommend it to anyone in the military or studying geopolitics.

Very Simple

As much a personal memoir as an analysis of the concept and strategic importance of sea power. It’s written for someone who has no background at all in world history or world politics. Disappointing for someone who does have some knowledge in those areas. Depth of commentary rarely goes beyond the level of “India and Pakistan are geopolitical rivals” or “The French Navy was essential for the American victory in the Revolution.”

Correct title should be “White Paper on Maritime Diplomacy”

Some where between a history of Sea power, the memoirs of Admiral James Stavridis, future US maritime policy and a sermon on marine environmental conservation lies this book. Overall a good update to a basic survey of historical sea power but littered with “I remember when” and, to paraphrase, “You people don’t know what you’re doing”. I thank Admiral Stavridis for his service and the book was okay. Bad narrator. Mispronunciations abound. That’s part of the producers fault if the narrator has no sea knowledge. And this one doesn’t.

Fascinating

I highly recommend this explanation of the state of the high seas. Global warming nonsense aside, I wholeheartedly agree with Admiral Stavridis' assessment of our need to strengthen and renew focus on American sea power in each of the cardinal directions from our shores.

Extremely Interesting

Great overview of the Sea World of yesterday and today. Particularly interesting for past Navy hands, who have sailed some of these seas.

Interesting and informative

Really enjoyed the perspective of a seasoned Admiral. I bought the pnint version as well for future reference

Extremely OK

It's fine if you're completely unfamiliar with history, geography, or the military. If you think you're going to learn something, I'd find a different book