Great job, Elendil’s Heir! I can honestly say that I have never heard of Alfred Thayer Mahan, so I guess I have yet more reading to do this summer. 
Looking forward to the next round!
Ditto!
It was actually my question about Paul Kruger from the previous game that got me started down the trail that lead to Mahan, as Kaiser Wilhelm (Kaiser Bill in the IQ) was heavily influenced by Mahan, which lead to his desire for a High Seas Fleet to rival the British and that arms race can be followed directly to Britain’s involvement in World War One.
If you’re interested, then I cannot recommend highly enough Robert Massie’s Dreadnaught: Britain, Germany, and the Coming of the Great War as a look into that time. So, arguably, the world we live in today can be traced back (indirectly, admittedly) to Mahan’s book.
I’ve always meant to read that. You’re not the first to praise it to me.
New thread: Botticelli - July 2012 - Thread Games - Straight Dope Message Board