War for the Seas

Historian Evan Mawdsley was Professor of International History at Glasgow University. He is the author of December 1941, a Sunday Telegraph Book of the Year.

“The great strength of The War for the Seas is the way in which Mawdsley, a former professor of international history at Glasgow University, treats his subject as an interconnected global story. . . . This innovative, well-written single-volume account will be invaluable for all who study the Second World War.”—Ben Wilson, Times (UK)“An impeccable, myth-busting study.”—Max Hastings, Sunday Times“[A] landmark work for which its author is to be congratulated. It is the best overall history of the maritime war not least in its critical discussion of well-worn legends and the stress on factors other than naval battles. It should be acquired by everyone interested in the subject.”—Professor Eric Grove, Navy News“There is much to commend in The War for the Seas. Mawdsley’s impressive scholarship and sound judgement are evident throughout the volume. The book provides both a solid overview of the maritime war and a thought-provoking analysis of the global nature of the Second World War.”—Christopher M. Bell, Journal of Military History“This is without doubt an outstanding book…It must be very strongly recommended even to those already well instructed in the subject.”—Richard Channon, Naval Review“This is a bold and authoritative maritime history of World War II which takes a fully international perspective and challenges our existing understanding. . . . This is a detailed account of a very wide subject but the author has achieved a comprehensive history of these war years at sea.”—Shipping Today and Yesterday“Mawdsley’s book is, quite simply, a tour de force. Reviewers should hesitate before applying the word ‘definitive’ but War for the Seas is certainly that for the naval war.”—Th. W. Bottelier, Journal of Strategic Studies“This book is a truly impressive piece of scholarship, which will be a standard text for years to come.”—Tim Benbow, War in HistoryWinner of The Anderson Medal 2019“An essential contribution to understanding how command of the sea was won and with what consequences. Rich in detail on the tactics and technology that mattered, and on the roller-coaster campaigns in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres, Mawdsley provides the first full, integrated account of a truly global dimension to the war.”—Richard Overy, author of The Bombing War: Europe, 1939–1945“The beautifully crafted and deeply research maritime history of WWII that we have always needed. Few books deserve to be called ‘definitive’—this is one of them.”—Joseph Maiolo, author of Cry Havoc: How the Arms Race Drove the World to War 1931–1941“Will be prized for its concision, clarity and sound judgement, all backed by impeccable scholarship.”—Simon Ball, The Bitter Sea: The Struggle for Mastery in the Mediterranean, 1935–1949“This powerfully argued re-appraisal establishes Command of the Sea as the critical issue that shaped and defined the Second World War. By securing control of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean the Allies were able to operate together, including supplying the Soviet Union with essential aid. The same Command of the Sea kept the Axis powers apart, and they were defeated in detail by globally deployable air and land forces.”—Andrew Lambert, author of The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812“Accentuated by his highly readable style, this is an excellent introductory work.”—D. M. Hall, Lake Erie College