The U.S. Navy

A Concise History

By: Craig L. Symonds

Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine

Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

This fast-paced narrative traces the emergence of the United States Navy as a global power from its birth during the American Revolution through to its current superpower status. The story highlights iconic moments of great drama pivotal to the nation's fortunes: John Paul Jones' attacks on the British in the Revolution, the Barbary Wars, and the arduous conquest of Iwo Jima. The book illuminates the changes - technological, institutional, and functional - of the US Navy from its days as a small frigate navy through the age of steam and steel to the modern era of electronics and missiles. Historian Craig L. Symonds captures the evolving culture of the Navy and debates between policymakers about what role the institution should play in world affairs. Internal and external challenges dramatically altered the size and character of the Navy, with long periods of quiet inertia alternating with rapid expansion emerging out of crises. The history of the navy reflects the history of the nation as a whole, and its many changes derive in large part from the changing role of the United States itself.

©2016 Oxford University Press (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Solid, very concise

Solid coverage, if very brief. Covers the historical waterfront admirably, from battles, to social and cultural issues, to the evolving institution that is the US Navy. An excellent, very brief introduction, accessible to anyone

4.0 very well done U. S. Naval History.

A comprehensive of History of The U. S. Navy. Welldone good and faithful ! Mission accomplished. A must read. Perfectly written!

Great History Novel of Navy

very informative and captured my attention through the entire novel. I would listen to or read this again.

Definitely concise, definitely good

The US Navy: A Concise History

Craig L. Symonds

I enjoyed this “brief” history of the US Navy.

If you have not studied much on the subject, this book may act as an excellent primer. If you have studied much on the US Navy, you will find yourself craving more details on certain events. That’s great; use Mr. Symonds’ sources or look for other specific books.

Either way, Mr. Symonds will have achieved his goal. Look at the definition of the word “concise.” This is exactly what was done. The book fills in any missed actions you may have, as it did for me.

One of the best things this book illustrated, intentionally or not, was the incredible influence the Navy has had on our foreign policy. In the days before mass communications, a Navy lieutenant or captain thousands of miles from Washington had to make momentous decisions.

The communications revolution is another subject the book demonstrates well.

In the early 1800’s, the President may have received a message describing how a Navy officer had blasted some miscreants several weeks before. Today, the President may be awakened at 3 AM told the Navy needs to know whether to blast these bad guys. The book does not say this specifically, but it makes the point obvious to the reader/listener.

Excellent, quick narration of our history.

Read the Wikipedia Article

Too concise. Skipped over far too much material that would have not lengthened it considerably. (One paragraph on the Desert Storm that doesn't even talk about the naval aspects of the conflict. Not a single mention of the Korean or Vietnam gunlines or Beruit.) Nothing that can't be found in a high school textbook or the Wikipedia entry for the US Navy.

Boom is riddled with factual errors and misinterpretations.

Reading was too rapid and mechanical with odd inflections and baffling mispronunciations. I almost wonder if it was a bit.

Biggest waste of a credit on Audible.