I highly recommend this book. The author does an excellent job talking about the conditions that lead up to each battle, the key points of the battle, and the historical ramifications of each one. From the Battle of Lake Erie to the Persian Gulf, it covers some of the high points of naval action in US History. If you are looking for a lot of naval details, you may find that missing in this book, but the history, politics and warfare are all well covered. ( )

The good: A very detailed analysis of four battles (the last is more a series)that had a profound effect on American history. Minutely researched descriptions of the battles, their place in history, and how they affected American history. Great fir people who love naval history.
The bad: Anytime you try to extrapolate that one one naval engagement changed overall history (not just naval history) you are walking into the realm of conjecture. The author acknowledges this in the acknowledgements. I can definitely buy Midway being the turning point of the Pacific theater in World War II, and Hampton Roads certainly changed naval warfare forever, but I felt the conclusions were sometimes a bit of a reach. This was especially evident in the final chapter and epilogue. ( )