Established in 1898, the Naval Institute Press is the book-publishing department of the U. S. Naval Institute and a member of the Association of University Presses since 1949. Guides and textbooks of interest to Sea Service professionals, including The Bluejacket’s Manual, which was first published in 1902 and is now in its 25th edition, remain the core of its program.

After World War II and during the Cold War, and especially in response to the interests of the World War II and Baby Boom generations, its list expanded to include significant contributions in military and naval history, military and naval biography, references works on the world’s ships, aircraft and weapons, as well as reprints of the classics of naval literature.

In the 1980s, The Hunt for Red October and Flight of the Intruderits first two novels, became New York Times bestsellers and the basis for feature films. Recent bestsellers include Circle of Treason: A CIA Account of Traitor Aldrich Ames and the Men He Betrayedwhich was produced as an ABC television miniseries, and SEAL of Honor: Operation Red Wings and the Life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, USN. In 2013, the U.S. Naval Institute Oral History Program was reestablished as a part of the Press.

In 2018, its 120th year, the Press cast its net wider, appealing to different and younger audiences via a partnership with the video game producers at World of Warships.

The Naval Institute Press publishes some eighty books and oral histories each year in multiple formats. The Press employs 20 staff members and may be found on the second deck of Beach Hall, on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Address letters in care of the Naval Institute and we will forward. Authors' telephone numbers, addresses, and emails are not released.

Mail:

[Naval Institute Author]
c/o Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road
Annapolis, MD 21402.

The Naval Institute Press features a wide range of history, foreign affairs and policy, national security, and leadership titles that have been adopted for course work by colleges and universities across the country. Naval Institute Press books are available as examination copies for course adoption at a cost of $6.00 per paperback copy and $10.00 per hardback copy to cover shipping and handling. There is a three book limit per semester. Click here for more details on our policies.

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If you are not pleased with your book purchase, you may return it in saleable condition (no rips, tears, stains, folded pages) within 60 days of receipt for an exchange or full refund, less shipping and handling fees, to:

U.S. Naval Institute 
Attn: Returns Department
22883 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166

Refunds will be given or credited on the payment method of the order; payment by credit card will be refunded to that card, and if the payment is by check a check shall be issued in return. 

Returns must have a copy of the original packing list.  If one is not available, please contact Member Services at 1-800-233-8764 or by email at [email protected]. Customers outside of the U.S. may contact us at 1-410-268-6110.

If it is determined that the return is necessary due to an error on the part of the U.S. Naval Institute, shipping and handling fees will be refunded.  

The time period for processing a return is as follows:

  • 5 to 10 business days for U.S. Naval Institute to receive the return 

  • 5 to 7 business days for U.S. Naval Institute to process the return

For same-day shipping via UPS (Ground, Two-Day, Next Day Air), orders must be placed by 12:00 PM EST/EDT.

No. Naval Institute Press is only making select titles available in eBook form.

No. eBooks published by Naval Institute Press are only available through our eRetail partners.

No. Because eBooks are purchased through our eRetail partners, not directly from Naval Institute Press, your member discount is not applicable. Each of our eRetail partners, however, does discount the price of each title. See the specific vendor site of your choice for detailed pricing information for each title.

Yes. Please click on the link to your preferred reading device below and follow the instructions.

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Yes. Each of our retail partners provides instructions on how to give the gift of an eBook to a family member or friend.

For members and customers who encounter a problem with their eBook, please contact the retailer from whom the eBook was purchased. For example, if you experience a problem with a Naval Institute Press title for your Kindle, please contact Amazon directly.

For all other Book related inquiries, please email [email protected].