A distinguished team of historians presents authoritative accounts of nineteenof the most important battles fought by American naval forces in thispaperback volume of essays, compiled and introduced by the well-known navalhistorian Jack Sweetman. Written to both educate and entertain, each of the essays provides a scenesettingoverview of the strategic situation at the time of the battle, adescription of the action itself, and an examination of its significance.Biographical profiles of American commanders illustrate the critical influence ofleadership in combat. Sweetman opens the book with an interpretive survey ofAmerican naval history from the American Revolution through the Gulf War andan analysis of the evolving strategic and doctrinal contexts in which the Navy'soperations have occurred. Many of the essayists, including James C. Bradford,John B. Hattendorf, Edward L. Beach, E. B. Potter, Barrett Tillman, Paul Stillwell,H.P. Willmott, and Thomas J. Cutler, are authors of other respected NavalInstitute Press publications. A generous selection of maps and charts, detailedorders of battle, portraits, and combat art complement the authoritative textto create a work sure to prove of enduring value.