Geographies of seapower
Author:
Dr Callum O’Connell
Buy from:
Coming soon
Geographies of Seapower offers a radical rethinking of power at sea, revealing how British imperial ambitions fundamentally reshaped the geography and culture of the Bay of Bengal between 1842 and 1872. Drawing on groundbreaking archival research, the book vividly portrays the transformation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from sites of imagined savagery to pivotal hubs of Victorian imperial strategy and commerce. From naval explorations and meticulous hydrographic surveys to gunboat diplomacy and displays of force, this essential work challenges traditional understandings of seapower through an interdisciplinary approach. Praised for its impeccable research and vibrant storytelling, it is highly recommended for readers interested in the Empire, geography, naval history, and the fascinating intersections between sea and shore.
“This eloquent and incisive study reimagines British imperial sea power not in the clash of fleets, but in the relatively quieter work of signalling, chart-making, and spatial control. Centred on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between 1842 and 1872, it blends naval history, imperial politics, and human geography into a strikingly original narrative. With lyrical insight and archival depth, the book reveals how empire sailed not only on waves and warships, but also on knowledge, ceremony, and coastal design.”
Ronald Po, Associate Professor of International History at London School of Economics and author of Shaping the Blue Dragon (Liverpool University Press 2024).
“In a swashbuckling intellectual style, this book propels the reader across the Bay of Bengal as the Empire expanded. The British harboured economic, trading, geopolitical, and even civilisational ambitions that far exceeded traditional measures of “seapower," which this impeccably researched book explains.”
Klaus Dodds, Professor of Geopolitics at Royal Holloway University of London and author of Border Wars (Penguin 2022).
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