VICE-ADMIRAL EDWIN B. HOOPER had a long career as a naval officer, retiring as vice admiral in 1970 and then returning to active service as director of naval history and curator for the Navy Department until 1977. He had broad experience in command at sea, amphibious forces, logistics, and research and development. Naval credits included a Bronze Star for his gunnery when the USS Washington sank the Japanese battleship Kirishima in a night battle at Guadalcanal. He served as commander of fleet oiler Waccamaw, the destroyer tender Sierra, Destroyer Squadron Twenty-six, and Amphibious Group One.

• Basic Considerations Part I: The Early Years Naval Power and Winning Independence Consequences of Neglect Part II: The Transitional Period Coming of Age Advancing Technology The Role of Naval Power in Preserving the Union Inland Waters Concluding of Warfare between the States Developments in Iron-clad Ships and Torpedoes Continuing Riverine War in the West The Postwar Period Part III: The New Navy Beginnings of the New Navy Warfare Against a European Power Prelude to Another War Part IV: Two World Wars The Great War America Enters the War Between Wars Another Global War The Crucial War at Sea A Two-Ocean War Turning the Tide World War II: The Final Phases Part V: The Nuclear Age The Cold War Erosion Limited War The New Look Naval Influence Flexible Response The Shifting Balance of Sea Power Part VI: The Future The Past Is Prologue Requisites

VICE-ADMIRAL EDWIN B. HOOPER had a long career as a naval officer, retiring as vice admiral in 1970 and then returning to active service as director of naval history and curator for the Navy Department until 1977. He had broad experience in command at sea, amphibious forces, logistics, and research and development. Naval credits included a Bronze Star for his gunnery when the USS Washington sank the Japanese battleship Kirishima in a night battle at Guadalcanal. He served as commander of fleet oiler Waccamaw, the destroyer tender Sierra, Destroyer Squadron Twenty-six, and Amphibious Group One.

• Basic Considerations Part I: The Early Years Naval Power and Winning Independence Consequences of Neglect Part II: The Transitional Period Coming of Age Advancing Technology The Role of Naval Power in Preserving the Union Inland Waters Concluding of Warfare between the States Developments in Iron-clad Ships and Torpedoes Continuing Riverine War in the West The Postwar Period Part III: The New Navy Beginnings of the New Navy Warfare Against a European Power Prelude to Another War Part IV: Two World Wars The Great War America Enters the War Between Wars Another Global War The Crucial War at Sea A Two-Ocean War Turning the Tide World War II: The Final Phases Part V: The Nuclear Age The Cold War Erosion Limited War The New Look Naval Influence Flexible Response The Shifting Balance of Sea Power Part VI: The Future The Past Is Prologue Requisites