Europe and the sea – a continuing story

• Europe’s historical emergence across the sea
• Future maritime context to signpost what lies ahead for Europeans
• Identification of how the key strands of geografhy, history and economics have woven together to create Europe

Modern technology and demography may disguise it, but Europe’s  origins lie in the sea and its future prosperity still depends upon it. Europe and the Sea – a continuing story identifies how key strands of geography, history and economics have woven together to create – against the odds of conflict and competition – not only disproportionate wealth and unexpected cultural cohesion, but the will for Europe to extend and dominate the known world for centuries. Five European admirals from Britain, France, Germany Italy and Spain transcend narrow naval and security issues with a broad analysis of why early trading and technological success has become increasingly threatened by a recent epidemic – not of disease – but of Sea Blindness. By forgetting the sea’s crucial importance and Europe’s collective dependency on it we are unwittingly becoming increasingly vulnerable, not just to long-standing threats to marine sustainability from pollution and overexploitation of the sea’s limited resources, but also emerging threats from space and cyberspace. Based on their thorough understanding of past and contemporary trends, the authors look to the future maritime context to signpost what lies in store for Europeans.

The authors

Europe and the Sea’s authors are foremost Europeans and seamen. As retired admirals used to working together in and out of uniform, their collective experience is unique. All commanded ships and squadrons before moving into headquarters and policy appointments. Three served in Washington and Brussels in diplomatic roles; all share deep NATO and EU experience of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Sir Anthony Dymock, a graduate in Russian, fought successful UK national and coalition campaigns at sea and ashore in the South Atlantic and the Gulf as well as the Mediterranean. Lutz Feldt commanded the German Fleet and Naval Staff with particular insight into the Baltic as well as managing the integration of the Volksmarine. Patrick Hebrard, a renowned naval aviation and French carrier protagonist, has longstanding experience in East Asian security. Fernando del Pozo, a committed European historian, commanded NATO standing forces at sea and ashore in NATO’s Iberian HQ. Ferdinando Sanfelice di Monteforte established successful operations taking NATO beyond defence into maritime security and has become an accomplished strategist and historian. For a decade together, they have studied, analysed and reported on maritime security in Europe and elsewhere. Despite different national perspectives these five seadogs understand Europe’s historical maritime context and speak here with one voice about the sea and its importance in Europe’s destiny.

Hardcover mit Schutzumschlag • 26 x 24 cm • ca. 184 Seiten • zahlr. Fotos und Abbildungen in S/W und Farbe
€ (D) 29,95 I € (A) 30,70 I SFr* 35,90
ISBN 978-3-8132-1110-8