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by David Syrett (Author)
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.
Author Biography
David Syrett is a professor of history at Queens College, City University of New York, and the author of The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy; The Defeat of the German U-Boats: The Battle of the Atlantic; The Siege and Capture of Havana, 1762; Shipping and the American War, 1775-1783; The Lost War; and The Royal Navy in American Waters, 1775-1783. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from the University of London. A fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Syrett was the John F. Morrison Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College for the academic year 1981-82.
