"A fascinating geopolitical chronicle... A superb survey of the perennial opportunities and risks in what Herman Melville called 'the watery part of the world.'" -- The Wall Street Journal

In this volume, one of the most eminent historians of our age investigates the extraordinary success of five small maritime states. Andrew Lambert, author of The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812 -- winner of the prestigious Anderson Medal -- turns his attention to Athens, Carthage, Venice, the Dutch Republic, and Britain, examining how their identities as "seapowers" informed their actions and enabled them to achieve success disproportionate to their size.

Lambert demonstrates how creating maritime identities made these states more dynamic, open, and inclusive than their lumbering continental rivals. Only when they forgot this aspect of their identity did these nations begin to decline. Recognizing that the United States and China are modern naval powers -- rather than seapowers -- is essential to understanding current affairs, as well as the long-term trends in world history. This volume is a highly original "big think" analysis of five states whose success -- and eventual failure -- is a subject of enduring interest, by a scholar at the top of his game.

"An intriguing series of stories of communities thinking seriously about how to stand their own ground when outpowered, how to do so in ways that are consistent with their values, and sometimes how to negotiate the descent from being a great power when the cards just aren't in their favor any more. These are timely questions." -- Times Higher Education Supplement

"Lambert is, without a doubt, the most insightful naval historian writing today." -- The Times

• We started tracking this book on November 12, 2018.
• This book was $19.07 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 85 times in the past 2,287 days.
• The current price of this book is $2.99 last checked one day ago.
• The lowest price to date was $2.99 last reached on February 12, 2025.
• This book has been $2.99 30 times since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was $19.07 last reached on November 12, 2018.
• This book has been $19.07 one time since we started tracking it.
• This book is currently at its lowest price since we started tracking it.

• Politics & Social Sciences

• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 606 Pages
• File Size: 32,897 KB