In his 1889 preface, Mahan examines the history of Europe and America “with particular reference to the effect of sea power upon the course of that history.” He continues, . . . The period embraced is from 1660, when. the sailing ship era, with its distinctive features, had fairly begun, to 1783, the end of the American Revolution. . . . Writing as a naval officer in full sympathy with his profession, the author has not hesitated to digress freely on questions of naval policy, strategy, and tactics; but as technical language has been avoided, it is hoped that these matters, simply presented, will be found of interest to the unprofessional reader. “. . . Historians generally have been unfamiliar with the conditions of the sea, having as to it neither special interest nor special knowledge and the profound determining influence of maritime strength ·upon great issues has consequently been overlooked. This is even more true of particular occasions than of the general tendency of sea power. It is easy to say in a general way, that the use and control of the sea is and has been a great factor in the history of the world.”
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