Favorite books about naval history/navy life?

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ProspectiveCandidate-mom

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Hope this is ok to post here?

Interested in recommendations from the more experienced folks for parents with no navy background eager to learn more about their kids’ likely path ahead. Have read everything online but know there are good books out there but you never know with Amazon reviews :) former history major so not afraid of wading through some heavier content (lighter reads ok too!) Thank you!
 
ProspectiveCandidate-mom said:
Hope this is ok to post here?

Interested in recommendations from the more experienced folks for parents with no navy background eager to learn more about their kids’ likely path ahead. Have read everything online but know there are good books out there but you never know with Amazon reviews :) former history major so not afraid of wading through some heavier content (lighter reads ok too!) Thank you!
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To just get started on the basics and to learn about structure, life, and traditions, I would recommend The Bluejacket's Manual or The Naval Officer's Guide.
 
There are several threads elsewhere in other forums with suggestions on military history, leadership books, service-specific stuff, good fiction reads. Have some fun with the Search function.

Mods - may I suggest moving to the After the Academy forum?

One of my standing recommendations is anything by ADM James Stavridis.
 
If you'd rather a more enjoyable read and still learn a lot about naval history and culture, you might check out Annapolis, by William Martin.

It's a novel, but it traces the history of two families based in Annapolis from early 18th century to modern day. The story intertwines almost every major event in the history of the Navy and the characters interact with the major real life players, and the history is pretty accurate. Almost every historical figure who has a building named after him at USNA is featured in the book.
 
Capt MJ said:
There are several threads elsewhere in other forums with suggestions on military history, leadership books, service-specific stuff, good fiction reads. Have some fun with the Search function.

Mods - may I suggest moving to the After the Academy forum?

One of my standing recommendations is anything by ADM James Stavridis.
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Note to Capt MJ:
Did you know that MIdn 1/C Stav was "Salty Sam"? If you can, you might want to look at "The Log" magazines from Ac Yr. 75-76.
He also used to write the col in Shimate "A Few inches From the Yard"
 
OldRetSWO said:
Note to Capt MJ:
Did you know that MIdn 1/C Stav was "Salty Sam"? If you can, you might want to look at "The Log" magazines from Ac Yr. 75-76.
He also used to write the col in Shimate "A Few inches From the Yard"
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Yes, well aware. I’m honored to call him a long-time shipmate from our LCDR days. When I was Officer Rep for The Log during my BattO tour, I had a blast reading his SS columns in past issues.
 
I am in the middle of "Neptune's Inferno" about the USN in the Solomons Campaign. Something like five sailors died at sea for every one Marine who died ashore. Very interesting history and insights into the different commanders' leadership styles.
 
When I was in junior high (is junior high even a thing anymore?), I devoured the Horacio Hornblower series. It’s an absolutely riveting set, covering his Napoleonic-era career from callow midshipman to celebrated admiral (though I don’t think the books were published in that order.). It’s a major reason for why I’m a history buff to this day — it’s what they now call “historical fiction.”
 
Probably one of the best series of books about life as a SWO in the US Navy of the modern era is the "Dan Lenson"
series by David Poyer (USNA grad). He takes Dan Lenson from an Ensign up through the various stages and steps of
a SWO career.
P.T.Deutermann (retired SWO) has written a number of novels from WWII to some in more modern times.

I was fortunate to have taken a course at USNA "Literature of the SEA" which introduced me to many more
such as Nicholas Monseratte "The Cruel Sea" and Herman Wouk who wrote a number but most notably, the Winds of War/War and Rememberance
series as well as The Caine Mutiny
 
"Chester Midshipmouse" by Susan Weisberg. She is a USNA mid-mom, twice over. The book is perfect for younger midsibs to help them understand what USNA plebe summer is all about. The book is a humorous/serious chapter book, aimed at readers approximately 4th-grade to middle school.
 
Devil Doc said:
Anything with tin can or destroyer in the title is surely good.
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What does "tin can" refer to? Any ship or one in particular or something else? Asking because at the office we have a joke about our laptops we call "the tin can."
 
williamsdr3 said:
What does "tin can" refer to? Any ship or one in particular or something else? Asking because at the office we have a joke about our laptops we call "the tin can."
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A small ship mainly a destroyer. So called because of the thin hull compared to larger ships.
 
I found the following books to very informative and easy reads.
1) The Parent's Guide to the US Navy
2) The US Naval Academy: The History and The Challenges
Both by Thomas Cutler. Available from the US Naval Institute Press
 
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