The Sailor's Bookshelf

Fifty Books to Know the Sea

James Stavridis

$85.95

Hardback

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English

Naval Institute Press
15 December 2021

Anthologies (non-poetry); Organisation & management of education; Theory of warfare & military science; Naval forces & warfare; Travel & holiday

Series: Blue & Gold Professional Library

"Admiral Stavridis, a leader in military, international affairs, and national security circles, shares his love of the sea and some of the sources of that affection. The Sailor's Bookshelf offers synopses of fifty books that illustrate the history, importance, lore, and lifestyle of the oceans and of those who ""go down to the sea in ships."" Stavridis colors those descriptions with glimpses of his own service--""sea stories"" in popular parlance--that not only clarify his choices but show why he is held in such high esteem among his fellow sailors.

Divided into four main categories--The Oceans, Explorers, Sailors in Fiction, and Sailors in Non-Fiction--Admiral Stavridis' choices will appeal to ""old salts"" and to those who have never known the sights of the ever-changing seascape nor breathed the tonic of an ocean breeze. The result is a navigational aid that guides readers through the realm of sea literature, covering a spectrum of topics that range from science to aesthetics, from history to modernity, from solo sailing to great battles.

Among these eclectic choices are guides to shiphandling and navigation, classic fiction that pits man against the sea, ecological and strategic challenges, celebrations of great achievements and the lessons that come with failure, economic competition and its stepbrother combat, explorations of the deep, and poetry that beats with the pulse of the wave. Some of the included titles are familiar to many, while others, are likely less well-known but are welcome additions to this encompassing collection. Admiral Stavridis has chosen some books that are relatively recent, and he recommends other works which have been around much longer and deserve recognition."

By: James Stavridis
Imprint: Naval Institute Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
Weight: 521g
ISBN: 9781682476987
ISBN 10: 1682476987
Series: Blue & Gold Professional Library
Pages: 232
Publication Date: 15 December 2021
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Adm. James Stavridis, USN (Ret.) is a retired four-star officer who led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counter piracy, and cyber security. He served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006-9. Admiral Stavridis earned a PhD in international relations and is Dean Emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He has published ten books and hundreds of articles in leading journals around the world.

Reviews for The Sailor's Bookshelf: Fifty Books to Know the Sea

A fundamental task of developing a Sailor is learning how to pack a seabag. The shape of the bag has changed over centuries, but the size has remained small, restricting what we can take to sea. Our choices, what we put in the bag, can make all the difference in the voyage. Admiral Stavridis' remarkable list of books and his insights offers wisdom to novice mariners and old salts alike. Everyone should find room in their seabags for this content! --Adm. Michelle Howard, USN (Ret.), former commander United States Naval Forces Europe Admiral James Stavridis knows the sea first hand, has mastered maritime history, and always conveys its importance in a most compelling way. This collection charts a wonderful course for all who already share his passion for the sea and those ashore who wish to embrace the majesty of the oceans. Get underway and enjoy! You'll be glad you did. --Adm. Jay L. Johnson, USN (Ret.), former Chief of Naval Operations I've known Admiral James Stavridis for decades, and he deeply appreciates the sea as both a mariner and a naval officer. His keen intellect, warrior spirit and diplomatic prowess clearly qualify him as an expert judge of sea service prose by any measure. The fifty summaries of these classics are concise but very enlightening, and the individual choices of books are spot on. This sailor's bookshelf will reward any reader, whether an 'old salt' or a new Sailor straight out of boot camp. --Master Chief Petty Officer Jim Herdt, USN (Ret.), former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy No one knows the literature of the sea better [than Admiral Stavridis]. The selections on this 'sailor's bookshelf' will be a terrific resource for both old salts and newcomers to the world's oceans. It's an instant classic! --Adm. Harry Harris, USN (Ret.), former Commander, U.S. Pacific Command This book should be on every sailor's shelf. Admiral Stavridis's love of the sea and love of reading come through on every page. --Tom Ricks, author and Pulitzer Prize winning reporter