Introduction

The introduction explains that the book explores the veracity of Sir Julian Corbett's seminal work Some Principles of Maritime Strategy (1911), over time, changing context, and evolving technology. Using historical evidence, it determines the fundamental nature, longevity, and enduring relevance of Some Principles’ key propositions; identifies gaps or omissions in its analysis and method; and explores where its ideas have later been demonstrated, disproved, extrapolated, or evolved. The introduction then goes on to explain the approach taken is from a naval and policy/strategy practitioner's viewpoint, examining evidence of practical delivery, success or failure; and over time, circumstance, and from differing national interpretations through multiple case studies. This approach differs from most other work on Corbett or Some Principles, which routinely tends to be either more academic/conceptual, and/or more limited in either time, space, or national viewpoint.