The Sea in World History: Exploration, Travel, and Trade [2 volumes]

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This two-volume set documents the essential role of the sea and maritime activity across history, from travel and food production to commerce and conquest. In all eras, water transport has served as the cheapest and most efficient means of moving cargo and people over any significant distance. Only relatively recently have railroads and aircraft provided an alternative. Most of the world's bulk goods continue to travel primarily by ship over water. Even today, 95 percent of the cargo that enters and leaves the United States does so by ship. Similarly, people around the world rely on the sea for food, and in recent years, the sea has become an important source of oil and other resources, with the longterm effects of our continuing efforts to extract resources from the sea further highlighting environmental concerns that range from pollution to the exhaustion of fish stocks. This chronologically organized two-volume reference addresses the history of the sea, beginning with ancient civilizations (4000 to 1000 BCE) and ending with the modern era (1945 to the present day). Each of the eight chapters is further broken down into sections that focus on specific nations or regions, offering detailed descriptions of that area of the world and shorter entries on specific topics, individuals, and events. The book spans maritime history, covering major seafaring peoples and nations; famous explorers, travelers, and commanders; events, battles, and wars; key technologies, including famous ships; important processes and ongoing events, such as piracy and the slave trade; and more. Readers will benefit from dozens of primary source documentsranging from ancient Egyptian tales of seafaring to texts by renowned travelers like Marco Polo, Zheng He, and Ibn Battutathat provide firsthand accounts from the age of discovery as well as accounts of battle from World War I and II and more modern accounts of the sea.

Reviews

A spectacular addition to maritime history, Stein's comprehensive survey spans human interaction with the deep from 4000 BCE to the present. . . . A worthy addition to any public or scholarly library and the perfect gift book for old sea dogs. * Booklist *
This excellent work can serve as an straightforward history text. . . . Summing Up: Highly recommended. High school through undergraduate students; general readers. * Choice *
There is enough introductory information so that newcomers will not feel out of their depth and plenty of fascinating details. VERDICT For undergraduates, general readers, and anyone interested in the development of seafaring technology and how nautical travel has shaped the modern world. * Library Journal *

Author Bio

Stephen K. Stein is a specialist in naval history and the history of technology who has written on topics ranging from ancient battles to aviation to the iPod.