Theorist of Maritime Strategy

J.J. Widen is Associate Professor in War Studies at the Swedish National Defence College, Stockholm, Sweden.

• Contents: Foreword, Geoffrey Till; Introduction; Part I The Man, His Times and Scholarly Achievements: Life and historical works; Theoretical works and influences. Part II Military Theory in a Maritime Context: The epistemology of war; General theory of war. Part III Naval Theory as the Ends and Means in Naval Warfare: Theory of naval war; Theory of naval operations; General conclusions; Bibliography; Index.

'This monograph is methodologically creative, theoretically sophisticated in its deft analysis of Corbett’s writings, and highly readable. An excellent - even elegant - piece of work.’-- Maria Stern, University of Gothenburg 'Theorist of Maritime Strategy is a thoughtful work of considerable interest, and its author certainly succeeds in demonstrating that Corbett is a figure worthy of attention even today.'--Comparative Strategy '... Widen reminds the reader that the study of military and naval theory is far too important to be left to academics. His book deserves to be on the reading list for all naval officers, and any politicians or member of the public who desires to know what navies are for.'--Warships - International Fleet Review 'Widén’s work is an interesting monograph on Corbett, who in addition to the American Alfred T. Mahan and the Frenchman Raoul Castex is considered to be the greatest naval thinker of his time. However, it is not the person Corbett who is in Widén’s spotlight, but the Englishman’s thoughts on warfare... Corbett’s evolution from lawyer to historian and finally to naval strategic thinker is clearly described by Widén. Sometimes his story is really very amusing.'--Mariner’s Mirror 'Dr J.J. Widen [...] has produced a most interesting new study of the works of Sir Julian Corbett, a doyen of Britsh maritime strategists... the analysis is engaging and important... Dr Widen must be congratulated for a new and most thoughtful analysis of a key strategic thinker.'--Defense & Security Analysis '... this is a very sophisticated and illuminating exposition on Corbett’s theories... This is a monograph that assumes both a high degree of familiarity with Corbett’s work and a good knowledge of most other naval and military thinkers of the period.'--Diplomacy & Statecraft