Description
The Battle of Tsushima was the most decisive naval engagement in the century that elapsed since the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Although these two battles are often compared, the Battle of Tsushima, in which the Japanese Imperial Navy defeated the Russian Imperial Navy, was also unprecedented in many ways. It marks the first naval victory of an Asian power over a major European power; the most devastating defeat suffered by the Imperial Russian Navy in its entire history; and the only truly decisive engagement between two battleship fleets in modern times. In addition, the Battle of Tsushima was also the most decisive naval engagement of the Russo-Japanese War and one that exerted a major impact on the course of that war. Its impact was so dramatic, in fact, that the two belligerents concluded a peace agreement within three months of the battle's conclusion. At the same time, and because it involved two of the world's largest fleets, the influence this battle exerted was both far reaching and long standing. In subsequent years, the symbolic victory of an "Eastern" power over Tsarist Russia using modern technology was feared and celebrated in both the Western and the Colonial worlds. Similarly, and in both Japan and Russia, the Battle of Tsushima had a prolonged impact on their respective navies as well as on their geopolitical ambitions in Asia and beyond. By relying on a diverse array of primary sources, this book examines the battle in depth and is the first to offer a penetrating analysis of its global impact as well as the way its memory has evolved in both Japan and Russia.
About the Author
Rotem Kowner is Professor of Japanese Studies and Naval History at the University of Haifa and a leading expert on the Russo-Japanese War. A founder and first chair of the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Haifa, his research interests include wartime behaviour in modern Japan, questions of race and racism in East Asia, and modern naval history. During the last two decades, Professor Kowner has written extensively and led joint research projects on the Russo-Japanese War, and in so doing played a major role in bringing this conflict and its global repercussions back into historical consideration.
Reviews
This book will undoubtedly attract the attention of domestic experts and all those interested in the history of the Russo-Japanese War...It seems as if nothing new can be added to what has already been written about the battle over more than a century, however this work shows that it is possible. Kowner's monograph is a solid and fundamental study with a good literary style. It will certainly stir up controversy [in Russia], which is also the hallmark of a quality historical work. * Dmitrii V. Likharev, Rossiya i ATR *
Not only does this excellent book provide a good treatment of the battle itself...but a great deal of consideration is also given to its long-term effect in naval, political, and cultural spheres. * Andrew Choong Han Lin, The Mariner's Mirror *
Very readable and informative, and gives an excellent insight into how naval tactics changed and developed after the battle. A must-read for anyone interested in early-twentieth century naval warfare. * Chris May *
Rotem Kowner's Tsushima constitutes a tour de force treatment of this epic battle and its multiple legacies. He establishes remote and immediate contexts, provides accurate description and informed analysis, and delves deeply into aftermath. * Bruce W. Menning, Professor of Strategy (ret.), U. S. Army Command and General Staff College *
A book of remarkable originality, daring, and openness of mind. Professor Kowner presents a skilful account of Tsushima which for the first time equally embraces Japanese and Russian sides of the battle and its consequences. * Dmitrii V. Likharev, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia *
A penetrating and comprehensive study of the most consequential naval battle fought between Trafalgar (1805) and Pearl Harbor (1941). Where Kowner's work shines brightest is his insightful analysis of this battle's military, political, and cultural legacy for both participants and the wider world. Tsushima is masterful. * J. Charles Schencking, Author of Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, and the Emergence of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1969-1922 *
Rotem Kowner's Tsushima presents a comprehensive account of the Battle of Tsushima Strait in 1905. It skilfully describes how and why it occurred and ended with a decisive and one-sided victory by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Among other things, this book is about the big battleships and guns. Well prepared and trained, the IJN made the best use of them against the Baltic Fleet and earned well-deserving glory and acclaim. However, the memory of decisive victory at Tsushima also planted in the minds of generations of IJN's leaders hubris, arrogance, and inflexibility to adjust and change IJN's naval doctrine until its last days in 1945. Kowner, as a true historian, re-enacts the days of the big battleships and guns, and beckons us all to return to the seas again. * Naoyuki Agawa, Author of Friendship Across the Seas: The US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force *
Book Information
ISBN 9780198831075
Author Rotem Kowner
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 220mm * 140mm * 20mm
About the Author
Rotem Kowner is Professor of Japanese Studies and Naval History at the University of Haifa and a leading expert on the Russo-Japanese War. A founder and first chair of the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Haifa, his research interests include wartime behaviour in modern Japan, questions of race and racism in East Asia, and modern naval history. During the last two decades, Professor Kowner has written extensively and led joint research projects on the Russo-Japanese War, and in so doing played a major role in bringing this conflict and its global repercussions back into historical consideration.
Reviews
This book will undoubtedly attract the attention of domestic experts and all those interested in the history of the Russo-Japanese War...It seems as if nothing new can be added to what has already been written about the battle over more than a century, however this work shows that it is possible. Kowner's monograph is a solid and fundamental study with a good literary style. It will certainly stir up controversy [in Russia], which is also the hallmark of a quality historical work. * Dmitrii V. Likharev, Rossiya i ATR *
Not only does this excellent book provide a good treatment of the battle itself...but a great deal of consideration is also given to its long-term effect in naval, political, and cultural spheres. * Andrew Choong Han Lin, The Mariner's Mirror *
Very readable and informative, and gives an excellent insight into how naval tactics changed and developed after the battle. A must-read for anyone interested in early-twentieth century naval warfare. * Chris May *
Rotem Kowner's Tsushima constitutes a tour de force treatment of this epic battle and its multiple legacies. He establishes remote and immediate contexts, provides accurate description and informed analysis, and delves deeply into aftermath. * Bruce W. Menning, Professor of Strategy (ret.), U. S. Army Command and General Staff College *
A book of remarkable originality, daring, and openness of mind. Professor Kowner presents a skilful account of Tsushima which for the first time equally embraces Japanese and Russian sides of the battle and its consequences. * Dmitrii V. Likharev, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia *
A penetrating and comprehensive study of the most consequential naval battle fought between Trafalgar (1805) and Pearl Harbor (1941). Where Kowner's work shines brightest is his insightful analysis of this battle's military, political, and cultural legacy for both participants and the wider world. Tsushima is masterful. * J. Charles Schencking, Author of Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, and the Emergence of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1969-1922 *
Rotem Kowner's Tsushima presents a comprehensive account of the Battle of Tsushima Strait in 1905. It skilfully describes how and why it occurred and ended with a decisive and one-sided victory by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Among other things, this book is about the big battleships and guns. Well prepared and trained, the IJN made the best use of them against the Baltic Fleet and earned well-deserving glory and acclaim. However, the memory of decisive victory at Tsushima also planted in the minds of generations of IJN's leaders hubris, arrogance, and inflexibility to adjust and change IJN's naval doctrine until its last days in 1945. Kowner, as a true historian, re-enacts the days of the big battleships and guns, and beckons us all to return to the seas again. * Naoyuki Agawa, Author of Friendship Across the Seas: The US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force *
Book Information
ISBN 9780198831075
Author Rotem Kowner
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 220mm * 140mm * 20mm
