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

Overview

The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy
"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.

"Sweeping in scope, full of vivid descriptions ... solidly grounded in the diplomatic landscape ... a masterly work."--Houston Chronicle

"Wonderfully atmospheric account, brilliantly researched, full of stirring action and rich with the scent of the sea."--Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman

Editorial Reviews

It's hard to imagine a better place for listening to this shrewdly abridged, excitingly read audio version of Toll's impressive history of the founding of the United States Navy than aboard some sort of seagoing vessel. One of Patrick O'Brian's warships would be perfect, but anything from a smaller sailboat to the Staten Island Ferry would be almost as auspicious. Veteran actor Lang, his voice instantly recognizable from films and television, never lets that familiarity take over. He trusts instead to Toll's virtuoso combination of details large and small (everything from the uniquely horrible ways men died during sea battles to the greed of shipbuilders and their representatives in government) to keep listeners intrigued-changing his voice in subtle ways when he brings to life the real words of American and British naval heroes from Lord Nelson to the officers who won the war of 1812. Lang is a lucid guide through the stormy seas of politics and commercial intrigue surrounding the birth of the U.S. naval fleet, which would soon surprise the world-especially the British navy, which thought of itself as invincible. Simultaneous release with the Norton hardcover (Reviews, Aug. 21). (Oct.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.

Author Information

Bio of Ian W. Toll

Ian W. Toll has been a Wall Street analyst, a Federal Reserve financial analyst, and a political aide and speechwriter. Six Frigates is his first book. He lives in San Francisco, California.

Customer Reviews

• US Navy Glorious Beginnings

  Posted February 21, 2009 by Vince, Marshall

  Great retelling the men, ships, battles of our US frigates, and the long lonely struggles to survive beyond their days

Additional Info

Imprint

W. W. Norton & Company

Filesize

1.75 MB

Number of Pages

592

eBook ISBN

9780393067507