Alberto Guglielmotti
The most authoritative and comprehensive reference available for the student of 19th- and early 20th- Century Mediterranean naval affairs with entries ranging from ABACA to ZURRE. Alberto Guglielmotti was a famous Italian navalist. Guglielmotti was motivated by a desire to improve the understanding of naval and military terms among the Italian people. He felt that a better understanding of these terms would lead to a greater appreciation of Italy’s rich maritime history. Italy was beginning her growth into one nation-state for which she needed a navy with an intellectual foundation-a navy fully equipped with officers who were cross-trained as engineers/seamen/soldiers-which both Cavour’s politics and Guglielmotti’s efforts contributed greatly toward enabling. It is apparent that this book was written at that historic moment when Italy embarked on building such an apparatus which required that she first construct a new vocabulary within which her people might also learn how best to interact with others around them-even those outside Italy proper. Therefore there was a need for a changeover from what had been primarily a defensive emphasis on her thinking about warships up until then toward an offensive capability so that she might sail out upon the seas. Guglielmotti believed that a classical education was essential for a proper understanding of naval terminology. He therefore sought to provide definitions in a precise and exact manner, using classical references where possible. The author’s approach is modern in many ways. For example, he arranges the entries alphabetically, rather than according to their grammatical function. This makes it easier for readers to find the information they need. Additionally, he provides cross-references between related terms, which helps readers understand the relationships between different concepts.The modernization of the Italian Navy was important then and now because the Italian Navy has played a significant role in the country’s history, is an important part of Italy’s national identity, and is a key player in the country’s economic and security interests. Western students of naval history should find this an important reference. because Italy’s naval history is not as well-known as that of other countries, despite the fact that the Italian Navy is uniquely well positioned to control the vital waters of the Mediterranean Sea.--Jellicoe [AI]
