Sea-power made the British Empire what it was: without sea-power there would have been no empire, or at least no empire in the form it actually took. In this analysis of the role of the sea in the history of the British Empire, Black follows in the tradition of classic works by C.R. Boxer on the Dutch and Portuguese seaborne empires and by J.H. Parry on the Spanish seaborne empire. He considers how the ocean affected British exploration, defense, trade, commerce, and the navy, as well as the attitudes and perceptions of the British people themselves. The book covers the process of imperial expansion, the decline of the Empire, and the role of the navy in the postimperial age, demonstrating the profound influence that proximity to the sea has exerted on virtually every aspect of British history and culture.--From publisher description.

Donated by John M. McCaffrey.

The origins of empire -- Growing strength, 1650-1750 -- Colonial expansion and the struggle for maritime dominance, 1650-1750 -- The battle for primacy, 1750-1815 -- The world power, 1815-1901 -- Naval strength and imperial expansion, 1815-1901 -- Empire under challenge, 1901-1918 -- New threats, 1919-1945 -- Loss and legacy, 1945-1972 -- The remains of empire 1973-2004.