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THE U.S. NAVY AMIDST WAR AND REVOLUTION 1919-1923
http://www.usni.org/store/catalog-fall-2012/america%E2%80%99s-black-sea-fleet
ISBN/SKU: 978-1-61251-053-8
Binding: Hardcover
Era: WWI
Number of Pages: 392
Subject: History
Date Available: November 2012
Drawing heavily on previously unknown sources, Robert Shenk offers a
revealing portrait of America's small Black Sea Fleet in the years
following World War I. Home-ported in Constantinople, navy ships sped
to the Crimea to help evacuate some 150,000 White Russians, and then
coordinated the grain shipments that ended a terrible Russian famine.
The fleet's successes in evacuating nearly 200,000 ethnic Armenian and
Greek refugees from Smyrna and in rescuing tens of thousands from
mainland Turkey are also detailed in full. Shenk's incisive depiction
of Admiral Mark Bristol as both head of U.S. naval forces and
America's chief diplomat in the region-William Leahy, Thomas Kinkaid,
Julian Wheeler, and diplomat Allen Dulles served under him-help to
make this book the first-ever comprehensive account of a vital, but
little-known naval undertaking.
Robert Shenk, a widely published professor of English at the
University of New Orleans, is a retired captain in the U.S. Naval
Reserve. He lives in Mandeville, LA.
Advance Praise ~
"This book is an instant candidate for the CNO's recommended reading
list! Robert Shenk's well-crafted narrative depicting the extensive
yet nearly unknown U.S. Navy involvement the Black Sea region
following the World War I is textbook material for Service Schools and
universities here and abroad studying Military Operations Other than
War (MOOW). Given recent crises in the Balkans and the Middle East
having nationalistic and religious overtones, this book provides a
classic case study on the appropriateness of intervention. Shenk's
compelling stories about naval operations in 'peace time' conditions
are timeless and serve to remind why naval forces are such a vital
component to national power."
-David F. Winkler, author of Cold War at Sea: High-Seas Confrontation
Between the United States and the Soviet Union
"America's Black Sea Fleet is most interesting, readable, and
impressively researched. It tells the story of a little known episode
of American naval history. It should appeal to both those interested
in naval history as well as those fascinated by Near Eastern history,
and even Russian history."
-William N. Still Jr., author of American Sea Power in the Old World:
The United States Navy in European and Near Eastern Waters, 1865-1917
"America's Black Sea Fleet will be a revelation to most who open its
pages. In the turbulent aftermath of the First World War, an American
admiral commanding a fleet composed mostly of destroyers is also de
facto ambassador to the dissolving Ottoman Empire. The exodus of
White Russians from the northern end of the Black Sea fills
Constantinople with aristocratic tea-room waitresses and princely
musicians and gardeners. From the point of view of American sailors
based there it is a fabulous party town. Meanwhile, though, huge
numbers of Armenians and Greeks meet horrendous fates as Turkish
forces insist they must disappear from Turkish soil. Anchored offshore
from Smyrna, American and other allied sailors watch as the city burns
and desperate women and children crowd the quay. While giving new
perspective on the still-contentious issue of Turkish treatment of
minority populations, Shenk raises questions about the role of
external power in local and regional conflicts. His clear style, eye
for telling detail, and meticulous research create a fascinating
narrative; he brings to life a time and place for which 'colorful' is
far too pale a word."
-C. Herbert Gilliland, author of Voyage to a Thousand Cares
http://www.usni.org/store/catalog-fall-2012/america%E2%80%99s-black-sea-fleet
ISBN/SKU: 978-1-61251-053-8
Binding: Hardcover
Era: WWI
Number of Pages: 392
Subject: History
Date Available: November 2012
Drawing heavily on previously unknown sources, Robert Shenk offers a
revealing portrait of America's small Black Sea Fleet in the years
following World War I. Home-ported in Constantinople, navy ships sped
to the Crimea to help evacuate some 150,000 White Russians, and then
coordinated the grain shipments that ended a terrible Russian famine.
The fleet's successes in evacuating nearly 200,000 ethnic Armenian and
Greek refugees from Smyrna and in rescuing tens of thousands from
mainland Turkey are also detailed in full. Shenk's incisive depiction
of Admiral Mark Bristol as both head of U.S. naval forces and
America's chief diplomat in the region-William Leahy, Thomas Kinkaid,
Julian Wheeler, and diplomat Allen Dulles served under him-help to
make this book the first-ever comprehensive account of a vital, but
little-known naval undertaking.
Robert Shenk, a widely published professor of English at the
University of New Orleans, is a retired captain in the U.S. Naval
Reserve. He lives in Mandeville, LA.
Advance Praise ~
"This book is an instant candidate for the CNO's recommended reading
list! Robert Shenk's well-crafted narrative depicting the extensive
yet nearly unknown U.S. Navy involvement the Black Sea region
following the World War I is textbook material for Service Schools and
universities here and abroad studying Military Operations Other than
War (MOOW). Given recent crises in the Balkans and the Middle East
having nationalistic and religious overtones, this book provides a
classic case study on the appropriateness of intervention. Shenk's
compelling stories about naval operations in 'peace time' conditions
are timeless and serve to remind why naval forces are such a vital
component to national power."
-David F. Winkler, author of Cold War at Sea: High-Seas Confrontation
Between the United States and the Soviet Union
"America's Black Sea Fleet is most interesting, readable, and
impressively researched. It tells the story of a little known episode
of American naval history. It should appeal to both those interested
in naval history as well as those fascinated by Near Eastern history,
and even Russian history."
-William N. Still Jr., author of American Sea Power in the Old World:
The United States Navy in European and Near Eastern Waters, 1865-1917
"America's Black Sea Fleet will be a revelation to most who open its
pages. In the turbulent aftermath of the First World War, an American
admiral commanding a fleet composed mostly of destroyers is also de
facto ambassador to the dissolving Ottoman Empire. The exodus of
White Russians from the northern end of the Black Sea fills
Constantinople with aristocratic tea-room waitresses and princely
musicians and gardeners. From the point of view of American sailors
based there it is a fabulous party town. Meanwhile, though, huge
numbers of Armenians and Greeks meet horrendous fates as Turkish
forces insist they must disappear from Turkish soil. Anchored offshore
from Smyrna, American and other allied sailors watch as the city burns
and desperate women and children crowd the quay. While giving new
perspective on the still-contentious issue of Turkish treatment of
minority populations, Shenk raises questions about the role of
external power in local and regional conflicts. His clear style, eye
for telling detail, and meticulous research create a fascinating
narrative; he brings to life a time and place for which 'colorful' is
far too pale a word."
-C. Herbert Gilliland, author of Voyage to a Thousand Cares