John Guilmartin, Jr., Gunpowder and Galleys (Cambridge University Press, 1974).

When was the last time you read a book so informative, so enjoyable, so in a word -- good -- that you wanted to tell everyone else about it? Gunpowder and Galleys, by J.F. Guilmartin, is such a rare find.

The work is subtitled "Changing Technology and Mediterranean Warfare at Sea in the Sixteenth Century", from which one might expect the hackneyed old business about the high-sided, broad-side-firing Northern Atlantic ships first adapting some ideas from the Mediterranean ships, and then blowing away the hapless Mediterranean galleys.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Guilmartin has inquired with new depth into the basic nature of galley warfare, and in so doing has produced a new and fascinating picture of both the warfare and balance of power in the Mediterranean in the sixteenth century.

Guilmartin's organizational pattern for the book contributes much to its clarity and to the reader's enjoyment. Each section begins with a welldocumented discussion of one aspect of his subject, followed by a clear exposition of a significant battle illustrating the material in question. His descriptions of battles are all derived from primary sources or as near to primary sources as possible, and pay close attention to the composition of forces and geography. The general introduction points out that galley warfare was the rule in the Mediterranean in 1500, but clearly in decline by 1600.

Nevertheless, galley warfare remained viable much longer than historians have hitherto recognized. Why and how that was true are illustrated by his account of the battle of Jiddah, 1517 - an important battle for control of the Red Sea fought between the Portuguese and Muslim forces. Despite the Portuguese dominance in fighting ships, the Muslim's use of galleys in connection with land forces stymied the Europeans. It is hard to understand why this interesting battle has been little discussed in the past. One would have to search long and hard to find an account comparable to Guilmartin's.

The first chapter discusses the intellectual tyranny that Alfred Thayer Mahan's views on sea power have exercised over all branches of naval thought since the publication of his monumental book in 1890. This is required reading for anyone at all interested in naval matters. Mahan is undeniably among the great naval theoreticians, and Guilmartin recognizes his importance, but points out that many of his disciples have not been as careful as their master in applying his principles.

Indeed, Mahan's ideas, redistilled many times through other (and often lesser) minds, have become such a basic part of conventional wisdom that often one hears novices who have never heard of Mahan discussing naval matters in thoroughly Mahanian terms. These terms, Guilmartin argues, do not apply to the world of the Mediterranean galleys.

His reconstruction of the battle of Prevesa, fought in 1538 between the Christian forces led by Andrea Doria and the Ottoman forces led by the legendary Khaireddin Barbarossa, supports this claim. Of all sixteenthcentury naval engagements, Prevesa has been most consistently butchered by uncomprehending modern historians. Guilmartin's account is by far the most consistent, comprehensible, and satisfying treatment.

The second chapter deals with geographical and operational characteristics of galley warfare. Much of this material can be found in other books, but Guilmartin brings it together to form a complete picture. His illustrative battle is a peculiar little fight between Northern sailing ships and Portugese caravels and proto-galleons off the Guinea coast in 1557. Small and easy to understand, this account provides a good introduction to sixteenthcentury naval warfare in general.

The third chapter, written on the physical, economic, and social limitations of the Mediterranean system of naval warfare is probably the strongest in the book. There were, of course, many differences between ancient and early modern galley warfare, and Guilmartin explains these differences in detail. Nevertheless, much of what he has to say in this chapter is ageless and can be profitably applied to understanding the ancient system, as well as early modern warfare. Were the reader interested only in the ancient world, this chapter alone would make the book an important find. Gian Doria's defeat before Djerba in 1560 and Turgut Rei's subsequent successful siege round out the chapter.

The fourth chapter on weapons of 16th-century warfare at sea is quite comprehensive, ranging from a discussion of national preferences in swords to an exhaustive look at artillery. It should be of value to anyone at all interested in contempory land warfare. A stirring yet precise account of the great siege of Malta in 1565 will awaken the imagination of anyone who has ever considered replaying a historical battle.

The fifth chapter considers the technical performance and requirements of the galley as a weapon and as a ship. Again, the material is clear, precise, and well- presented. The great battle at Lepanto in 1571 finishes the chapter. The last chapter discusses the decline of the galley method of warfare in the late sixteenth century, pointing out the technological, social, and economic reasons for the change.

Three appendices dealing with individual firearms, ballistics of 16th-century cannon, and construction details for cannons provide a gratifying amount of specifies and lend credence to earlier judgements of the author. Three more appendices provide a formula for the computation of galley speed with oars, give the compliment of an ordinary Spanish galley, and explain the classification and placement of ordnance on galleys.

I highly recommend this book to anyone even slightly interested in this subject. A reader can begin the book knowing nothing of sixteenth-century naval warfare and finish it both an expert and an enthusiast.