Overview

"The United States Navy has evolved in the last century and a half from humble and often frustrating beginnings during and after the Revolutionary War to become the strongest navy in the world with responsibilities that span the globe. The story of the Navy from its birth through the Civil War and other 19th century conflicts through its victories of World War I and World War II and down to the current efforts in the Middle East to maintain the peace not only for the United States but also for other nations as the world's primary peace-keeper has been one of responding to the call of duty, as captured by its unofficial motto Non sibi sed patriae (""Not self but country""). No other nation's navy past or present can match its successes and history. The second edition of Historical Dictionary of the United States Navy covers U.S. Naval developments, personnel, and engagements from the colonial times to the present day. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, an extensive bibliography, and over 600 cross-referenced dictionary entries on people, places, events and other terminology of the Navy. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the United States Navy."

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9780810872295

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Reviews

Updating their 1998 first edition, Morris (Readings in American Military History) and Kearns (head, bibliographic control, Earl Gregg Swem Library) define the people, ships, planes, locations, munitions, navigation systems, technical terms, and actions shaping the U.S. Navy since Colonial times. Preceding the 600 succinct, fully cross-referenced, paragraph-long entries is a helpful listing of acronyms, ship types, and a naval chronology, which locates branch origins in mid-1775. A 12-page introduction offers an essay-style overview of naval history, subdivided by major engagement. A 45-page bibliography, divided chronologically by conflict, offers a vital springboard to additional research. Essential for naval historians. Library Journal 20110801 In the 13 years since the publication of the first edition of this work, the U.S. has become heavily involved in antiterrorism activities. Although the first edition is still in print, more than 100 pages of additional information have been incorporated by the same authors into this second edition. Among the topics that are covered are types of ships and planes, weapons, ranks and terminology, persons, military operations, and wars and battles. The lists of acronyms and abbreviations and ship-type designations are very helpful features to use when reading the entries. The chronology begins in 1775, with the earliest vestiges of the U.S. Navy, and continues through 2009. An introductory essay gives an excellent overview of the navy and its activities from colonial times to the present. The more than 600 alphabetical entries begin with ABC-1 Staff Agreement (27 March 1941), an agreement between the U.S. and Britain to concentrate on the defeat of Germany first, and end with Zumwalt, Elmo R., Jr. (1920--2000), former chief of naval operations. Entries range in length from one line to eight pages, for the entry on WWII. The three appendixes list secretaries of the navy from June 1789 to the present, chiefs of naval operations from May 1915 to the present, and major websites. The extensive bibliography is divided into 10 sections, mostly for time periods. The bibliography is a wonderful tool for further research, and the book overall is an excellent resource for college students, researchers, and others interested in the U.S. Navy. Booklist 20110901

Author Information

James M. Morris is emeritus professor of History at Christopher Newport University. He is the author of numerous books and article on the Navy. Patricia M. Kearns is Director of Acquisitions for Swem Library at The College of William and Mary.

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