Alfred Thayer Mahan books in order
United States Navy admiral and historian
- Lived
- 1840–1914
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 17
Alfred Thayer Mahan published 13 non-fiction books and 4 other books, beginning with The Persian Gulf and International Relations (1902).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Alfred Thayer Mahan
Start here
The Persian Gulf and International Relations
Alfred Thayer Mahan's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
Admiral Farragut (1892)
The Life of Nelson (1897)
The Problem of Asia and Its Effect Upon International Policies (1900)
Retrospect and Prospect (1902)
The Gulf and Inland Waters (1905)
From Sail to Steam (1907)
Naval Administration and Warfare (1908)
Naval Strategy Compared and Contrasted with the Principles and Practice of Military Operations on Land (1911)
Mahan on Naval Warfare (1918)
Other books in order
The Life of Nelson, the Embodiment of the Sea Power of Great Britain (1897)
The War in South Africa (1900)
The Persian Gulf and International Relations (1902)
Some Neglected Aspects of War (1907)
Free to read
All free classicsSea Power in its Relations to the War of 1812. Volume 1
Sea Power in its Relations to the War of 1812. Volume 2
Story of the War in South Africa, 1899-1900
The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire 1793-1812, vol 2
From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life
The Life of Nelson, Volume 1
The Life of Nelson, Volume 2
The Interest of America in Sea Power, Present and Future
Lessons of the war with Spain and other articles
About Alfred Thayer Mahan
Alfred Thayer Mahan was a United States Navy (USN) officer and historian whom John Keegan called "the most important American strategist of the nineteenth century." His 1890 book The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660–1783 won immediate recognition, especially in Europe, and with the publication of its 1892 successor, The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire, 1793–1812, he affirmed his status as a globally-known and regarded military strategist, historian, and theorist. Mahan's works encouraged the development of large capital ships—eventually leading to dreadnought battleships—as he was an advocate of the 'decisive battle' and of naval blockades.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Alfred Thayer Mahan FAQ
- How many books has Alfred Thayer Mahan written?
- Alfred Thayer Mahan published 13 non-fiction books and 4 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Alfred Thayer Mahan's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Persian Gulf and International Relations.
- What is Alfred Thayer Mahan's last book?
- The Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence (1913).
- What is Alfred Thayer Mahan's most famous book?
- The Persian Gulf and International Relations (1902) is Alfred Thayer Mahan's most widely read book.
- Can I read Alfred Thayer Mahan's books for free?
- Yes. 16 books by Alfred Thayer Mahan are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Alfred Thayer Mahan
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.