The American War of Independence was in large part fought at sea. Three navies - the British, the French and the American - were at the centre of the conflict, in addition, the Spanish and Dutch fleets were involved. The role of the naval powers for the outcome of the war and the different periods of the sea battle are described in detail by Alfred Thayer Mahan.Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914) was a US Navy officer and author of influential marine history and strategy books. His work The Influence of Sea Power upon History, published in 1890, established the modern US Navy doctrine of maritime predominance: the higher the naval power of a country, the greater its global impact. Mahan's concepts of naval war tactics were adapted by many navies all over the world.Reprint of the original edition from 1913.