The crucial contribution of seapower to the struggle for American independence forms the theme for this volume, drawing on published prints, maps and illustrated journals of the time to achieve a remarkable impression of the maritime aspects of the war, in all its variety and drama. But besides the campaigns, battles and sieges, the book also illustrates many significant background aspects of the war, in the form of thematic inserts on such subjects as the ship types, the weapons and the organisation involved. The result is not just a visually exciting collection of contemporary images, many previously unpublished, but a valuable contribution to the understanding of how the American Revolution was seen at the time.

During the American Revolutionary War, Great Britain's Royal Navy faced foes that included, in addition to American forces, the navies of France, Spain and the Netherlands. In this operational history of a period that proved to be a turning point for one of the world's great naval powers, David Syrett presents a saga of battles, blockades, great fleet cruises and, above all, failures and lost opportunities. He explains that the British government severely underestimated the Americans' maritime strength and how that error led to devastating consequences. The seemingly invincible navy failed to muster even one decisive victory during the extensive naval conflict.

Naval history of the American Revolution, which recognizes the war for independence as a maritime conflict and explores the struggle for command of the sea.