, born on September 27, 1840 in West Point, New York was son of dean of the faculty at the United States Military Academy and one of the most important naval historians and strategists of his time. Although both Philip A. Crowl and Paul M. Kennedy have their own opinions on the degree to which Mahan influenced society and naval doctrine as a strategist and historian, the validity and brilliance of some of his ideas can't be denied. Mahan was a firm believer that sea power was the single most important factor in determining national dominance. ....