Book Shelf 25-6 ~ Considering 21st Century Corbett (Andrew Lambert, Ed., Naval Institute Press, 2017)

While I grew up in the U.S. Navy and—by extension—was taught at the altar of Mahan, along the way I discovered another maritime strategist, Sir Julian Corbett. Whereas Mahan is all about the Decisive Battle, Corbett views naval strategy as controlling sea communications to support national goals as part of a broader strategy which aligns naval goals with national political objectives. Corbett also talks about limited wars and cooperation with land forces; topics very relevant for today’s maritime affairs. More recently, I read discussions of space warfare invoking Corbett’s name; all the more reason to dig in and learn a bit more about Sir Julian’s writings.

The ad copy from Naval Institute Press describes the book as follows:

21st Century Corbett is a collection of essays demonstrating the critical role Sir Julian Corbett played in the development of maritime strategy and sea power theory in the early twentieth century. His close connections with Mahan and Sims helped reinforce the trans-Atlantic axis of education and thinking on sea power. Corbett worked closely with First Sea Lord Admiral John Fisher (1841–1920) to enhance the strategic planning of the Royal Navy, and compiled the official history of the First World War.

21st Century Corbett is not excerpts from the seminal Some Principles of Maritime Strategy nor is it a replacement for that work. This collection of seven essays, each with a short introduction by Lambert, shows the power of Corbett’s writing and ability to educate both the public and the Naval Service.

Recommendation: Part of a triumvirate of Corbett writings that should be read together. See also Some Principles of Maritime Strategy and Maritime Operations in the Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905 (2 volumes).

Lambert, Andrew, Ed. (2017) 21st Century Corbett: Maritime Strategy and Naval Policy for the Mahan Era. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press.

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Feature image courtesy RMN

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