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Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy

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Manufacturer: W.W. Norton & Co.
List Price: $16.95
Our Price: $10.79
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"A fluent, intelligent history...give[s] the reader a feel for the human quirks and harsh demands of life at sea."—New York Times Book Review Before the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent military became the most divisive issue facing the new government. The founders—particularly Jefferson, Madison, and Adams—debated fiercely. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect from pirates or drain the treasury and provoke hostility? Britain alone had hundreds of powerful warships.

From the decision to build six heavy frigates, through the cliff-hanger campaign against Tripoli, to the war that shook the world in 1812, Ian W. Toll tells this grand tale with the political insight of Founding Brothers and the narrative flair of Patrick O'Brian. .


DESCRIPTION:

Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 359.0097309033
EAN: 9780393330328
ISBN: 039333032X
Label: W.W. Norton & Co.
Manufacturer: W.W. Norton & Co.
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 592
Publication Date: 2008-03-17
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.
Studio: W.W. Norton & Co.


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CUSTOMER REVIEWS:

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great!
Comment: Stephen Lang does an excellent job reading this abridged account of the history of the US Navy. Do not hesitate to spend the money on this book on CD if you have any interest in the early days of our country and/or the US Navy. Politics, Pirates, and heroes make up this great book that is written (and told) in a way that makes you feel proud to be an American.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book!
Comment: Very enjoyable reading. If you know about historical seafaring it is interesting, if you know absolutely nothing about the subject it will be even more interesting and is written in a style that makes the subject interesting to all readers.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Review of Six Frigates
Comment: I recommend the book as it offers a good narrative of not only the frigates, but a look into the drivers behind the establishment of the ships, US Navy, and insight into early US history. It is entertaining while being informative, bringing information to light that I believe most readers will find both interesting and possibly new.

When I finished the book I searched to see if the author had written other works I could read, I believe that action alone says something about the quality of this book.


Customer Rating:
Summary: Proud history of the early US
Comment: I thought this book was an enjoyable read, for several reasons.

_ Toll describes how powerful and intimidating the British Navy was around 1812, and why (crew highly trained in fast gunnery, aggressive leadership). It's amazing to read how well the fledgling US navy did against them in early battles, and why (technical skill, training, audacity/bravery of leadership, innovative ship design).

_ Toll does a good job describing how the upstart US nation was suffering from British naval impressment and barbary pirates in the Mediterranean, both of which gave rise to an interest in forming the US Navy.

_ I didn't realize how strong the opposition was against raising and supporting a navy -- the Jeffersonian republicans wanted no part of it. Later, however, they decided that the US Navy had acquitted itself well and was worthy of continued support.

_ The US shipbuilders, especially Joshua Humphreys, were innovative in the design of these unusually large frigates made with southern live oak, which was very strong. These frigates were built in different shipyards, and some handled better than others, but the concept was so successful that the British later imitated it.

_ I typically think of army battles as the more horrific type of warfare. The accounts of the battles in this book show how gruesome and terrible naval battles can be.

_ Theodore Roosevelt became fascinated with the history of the founding of the US Navy during his student days at Harvard; he even wrote a book about it. Later, as president, he convinced congress to invest heavily in expanding the navy.

I've only scratched the surface of this book. It's full of great stories that link this topic, which at first seems such an obscure corner of history, with so many larger events in American history that followed. Great stuff.

Customer Rating:
Summary: In the Beginning. . .
Comment: Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy I've read many books on the beginnings of the US Navy over the years and this is without a doubt the most detailed and amoung the very best I've read. I highly recommend it to all history buffs and Naval History Enthusiasts as well. The author does a fine job of character development and it is apparent that he has done a very thorough and extensive job of research. While this is no Sunday Afternoon page turner the action reports make the reader feel like he is right there and can almost smell the gunpowder. Bravo Ian Toll!
JIM FLYNN

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