Specifically structured around research questions and avenues for further study, and providing the historical context to enable this further research, Modern Naval History is a key historiographical guide for students wishing to gain a deeper understanding of naval history and its contemporary relevance. Navies play an important role in the modern world, and the globalisation of economies, cultures and societies has placed a premium on maritime communications. Modern Naval History demonstrates the importance of naval history today, showing its relevance to a number of disciplines and its role in understanding how navies relate to their host societies. Richard Harding explains why naval history is still important, despite slipping from the attention of policy makers and the public since 1945, and how it can illuminate answers to questions relating to economic, diplomatic, political, social and cultural history. The book explores how naval history has informed these fields and how it can produce a richer and more informed historical understanding of navies and sea power. A timely and welcome overview of the trajectory of naval history over the past 130 years that focuses on major themes of contemporary interest, in particular navies and the states and societies that create and employ them, and the nexus between naval power and international relations. Harding succinctly surveys the current state of the literature and points to areas where further research is needed. An ideal starting-place for those new to the field, such as graduate students, and a valuable reference tool for seasoned practitioners.