Six FrigatesSix Frigates
the Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy
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Book, 2006
Current format, Book, 2006, 1st ed, Available .Book, 2006
Current format, Book, 2006, 1st ed, Available . Offered in 0 more formatsHow "a handful of bastards and outlaws fighting under a piece of striped bunting" humbled the omnipotent British Navy.Before the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent military had become the most divisive issue facing the new government. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect American commerce against the Mediterranean pirates, or drain the treasury and provoke hostilities with the great powers? The foundersparticularly Jefferson, Madison, and Adamsdebated these questions fiercely and switched sides more than once. How much of a navy would suffice? Britain alone had hundreds of powerful warships.From the decision to build six heavy frigates, through the cliffhanger 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 a narrative flair worthy of Patrick O'Brian. According to Henry Adams, the 1812 encounter between USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere "raised the United States in one half hour to the rank of a first class power in the world." 16 pages of illustrations; 8 pages of color.
This book traces the history of six frigates built in six major seaports in the US, which essentially launched the US Navy. Authorized in 1794 by President Washington, their construction was in response to the need for a strong military. Described here is the story of the politics involved, views of the founding fathers and subsequent presidents, the campaign against Tripoli, and the frigates' role in the War of 1812. A chronology of events after 1815 is appended. Toll has been a financial analyst, political aide, and speechwriter. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Describes the origins and early history of the American Navy, discussing the debates by the founding fathers over the need for a permanent military, the decision to construct six heavy frigates, the campaign against Tripoli, and the war of 1812, including the confrontation between the USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere that raised the U.S. to a global power. 70,000 first printing.
Describes the origins and early history of the American Navy, discussing the debates by the founding fathers over the need for a permanent military, the decision to construct six heavy frigates, the campaign against Tripoli, and the War of 1812.
How "a handful of bastards and outlaws fighting under a piece of striped bunting" humbled the omnipotent British Navy.Founding BrothersConstitutionGuerriere
This book traces the history of six frigates built in six major seaports in the US, which essentially launched the US Navy. Authorized in 1794 by President Washington, their construction was in response to the need for a strong military. Described here is the story of the politics involved, views of the founding fathers and subsequent presidents, the campaign against Tripoli, and the frigates' role in the War of 1812. A chronology of events after 1815 is appended. Toll has been a financial analyst, political aide, and speechwriter. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Describes the origins and early history of the American Navy, discussing the debates by the founding fathers over the need for a permanent military, the decision to construct six heavy frigates, the campaign against Tripoli, and the war of 1812, including the confrontation between the USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere that raised the U.S. to a global power. 70,000 first printing.
Describes the origins and early history of the American Navy, discussing the debates by the founding fathers over the need for a permanent military, the decision to construct six heavy frigates, the campaign against Tripoli, and the War of 1812.
How "a handful of bastards and outlaws fighting under a piece of striped bunting" humbled the omnipotent British Navy.Founding BrothersConstitutionGuerriere
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- New York : W.W. Norton & Co., c2006.
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