John B. Hattendorf is the Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History and Chairman, Maritime History Department, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. He holds degrees in history from Kenyon College, Brown University, and the University of Oxford. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters and the Caird Medal of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Hattendorf currently serves as President of the North American Society for Oceanic History.

Winner of the 2008 Dartmouth Medal

ALA/RUSA Outstanding Reference Source

PSP 2007 Awards for Excellence: Honorable Mention in the "Best of Multivolume Reference" Category

Library Journal Best Reference

Winner of the North American Society for Oceanic History's 2007 John Lyman Award

"With the publication of this encyclopedia, maritime history can be said to have come of age. Editor Hattendorf presents a range of historical themes and information in a readily accessible summary form for use by both the general public and scholars. Hattendorf has produced a historical tour de force for maritime history that will long stand as the definitive work encompassing depth, variety, and international perspective. Essential."--H.N.Boyer, CHOICE

"An excellent companion to more traditional naval warfare or nautical encyclopedias....The only A-Z resource on maritime history is bound to become a standard subject reference and is recommended for academic libararies."--Booklist

"A magisterial work....as encyclopedic as you could possibly hope for. The eclectic subject matter is admirable....[P]ick any page here and there is something to grab the attention. Once you start delving it is devilishly difficult to stop. For the true nautical buff...this is an indispensable reference work."--Navy News

"Unique and fills a real void in the literature....To be honest, there is nothing else quite like it in terms of scope and diversity of coverage."--Against the Grain

"An absolutely superlative encyclopedia....[I]ts multidisciplinary coverage will appeal to students interested in the history of art, economics, environmental policy, international trade, literature, science, law, the military, and engineering....It is one of the finest reference works this librarian has ever seen and is highly recommended."--American Reference Books Annual

"The articles, written by an international body of contributors, can be understood by the general reader and yet are worthy of scholarly research."--American Libraries

"This resource offers more information on maritime subjects and topics than other works on the subject....Most suitable for large public, academic, and research libraries."--Library Journal

"Astounding variety of entires....succinctly written and feature detailed analysis of trends and developments in their respective subjects....This is an absolutely superlative encyclopedia that belongs in any library desirous of having quality maritime, shipping, and naval historical collections. Despite being a historical encyclopedia, its multidisciplinary coverage will appeal to students itnerested in the history of art, economics, environmental policy, international trade, literature, science, law, the military, and engineering....It is one of the finest reference works this librarian has ever seen and is highly recommended."--American Reference Books Annual