Gallons of ink have been used analyzing Adm. Alfred Thayer Mahan s thoughts, his naval theories, and his contribution to sea power. One vital aspect of his life, however, has been ignored or misunderstood by many scholars: his religious faith. Mahan was a professing Christian who took his faith with the utmost seriousness, and as a result, his worldview was inherently Christian. He wrote and spoke extensively on religious issues, a point frequently ignored by many historians. This is a fundamental mistake, for a deeper and more accurate understanding of Mahan as a person and as a naval theorist can be gained by a meaningful examination of his religious beliefs. "God and Sea Power" is the first work to examine in a detailed and contextual way how Mahan s faith influenced his views on war, politics, and foreign relations."