A Society of Gentlemen is a social history of US naval officer education at Annapolis; Maryland from 1845 to 1861. By combing statistical and scholarly analysis based on original research; it reveals that through the Naval Academy; the US Navy exhibited signs of a professional organization during the antebellum era. The Naval Academy; founded in 1845; indoctrinated potential officers into the navy through a more structured form of education than used previously as the navy assessed students on academic and practical seamanship skills; their conformity to naval law and discipline. By 1850; the Academy also showed great concern for officer recruits taken directly from civilian life; who needed a longer period of nurturing before going to sea; and established summer cruises and school ships to introduce them to naval life. Henceforth; Annapolis midshipmen went to sea under the supervision of Academy officials who taught them practical seamanship; navigation; and the command skills required of professional naval officers; to complement their shore-based training. The Civil War interrupted this process of educating officers; a large number of students failed to graduate; and a significant number of graduates actually spent little time in the navy. But those who remained were the professional officers who contributed to the navy’s exploits after the Civil War: men like Stephen Luce; George Dewey and Alfred Thayer Mahan. It is no surprise that such men later established more fully the dynamics of a naval officer profession later in the century. This history is based on letters to Academy officials from students and the autobiographies of famous naval officers; to expand upon statistical data dealing with wider student backgrounds.
#1747490 in Books Overlook TP 2008-04-29 2008-04-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x 1.08 x 5.50l; .85 #File Name: 1590200225432 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great help understanding the Shia; Sunni DivideBy Patrick Oliver KelleyReads like a mystery. The geography; paganism; sectism; perversity; mercantialism- and not to forget treachery;blood and gore; make this book a great read. Connects the dots from heir to heir to the leadership of ancient Islam. identifies the Prophets wives and tells you enough to get to know them. Most importantly; I grew to understand why the Shias think they were so hard done by.The heirs seem to prefer age over 'ability;' not that anyone was obviously better than the next. The Shia- followers of Ali- were 'meritocratic'. I see why they think Ali paid his dues first; took great risks; was the first male convert e.g. while the elders; Abu Bakr; Omar and Uthman; seemed to inherit the leadership in chronological order. However each did a great job while CaliphGrowth of misogyny after the death of Mohammad evolved from subsequent leaders.Mohammad loved and respected women- he appears to have married about a dozen.8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. The First Four CaliphsBy Frank J. KonopkaThis is an extremely well-written book that details the history of Islam during the 30 or so years after the death of the Prophet. Not knowing much about this religion; and particularly the reason for the animosity betwen Shia and Sunni; I was compelled to read and learn. I must admit that the author handles all of the history and the main characters quite well; and never denigrates their view of the faith. Having read this book; I'm really at a loss as to why there is this split in Islam; for the differences between the two sides appears to be extremely minor. Of course; Chirstianity has split over many more trivial items of doctrine; the most conspicuous of which is the use or non-use of "filioque" in the Creed. To learn about one of the world's great religions; and its early leaders; this book is an essentail read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy CustomerInformative and precise narrative.
