To Provide and Maintain a Navy

The United States Navy evolved from an ill-formed collection of merchant vessels, privateers, and small frigates into the world's most capable maritime force. The author employs an historical narrative that describes the evolution of American warships, technology, and force structure rather than the battles or tactics in which they engaged. He examines the history of the U.S. Navy from the perspective of the American people and their elected and appointed political leadership-the President, the Congress, the Secretaries of the Navy, and the captains, commodores, and admirals that carried out their directives. Finally, the author profiles the naval establishment, physical infrastructure, and human capital that constituted the industrial base in each era. For naval acquisition professionals, this is a story worth telling-and worth reading.