A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783
"The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783" by A. T. Mahan is a history of naval warfare published in 1890. This groundbreaking work examines how control of the seas shaped European dominance during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Mahan identifies key factors for achieving sea power and argues that strong navies determine national greatness. The book sparked a global naval arms race and profoundly influenced military strategy worldwide, becoming the most important text in naval thought and contributing to America's rise as a great power.