Book: Six Frigates

23 February 2007

Just finished Six Frigates by Ian Toll (W. W. Norton, Oct 2006). Two thumbs up. The story of the first serious American warships and their fights (1794-c.1815). USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) and her sisters. Decatur, Preble, and peers.

book cover - six frigates

Built on primary source research, eclectic coverage from shipbuilding to politics to Teddy Roosevelt (!), and a great read. Thanks for the gift, lads.

Anybody else read this?

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4 Responses to “Book: Six Frigates”

  1. scott smart says:
    February 23rd, 2007 at 3:23 pm

    Thanks for the heads up. I will have to take a look. I am a retired naval engineering duty officer, and we trace our lineage to the six ship constructors authorized by Congress in 1794 to oversee construction of these frigates.

  2. Brian says:
    February 23rd, 2007 at 7:18 pm

    I hope it’s a good steer, Scott. I’ve long had an appreciation for sea stories and Naval history, so was hoping to like this one. I spent some time at sea myself, tho’ not under sail :)

  3. Garr Davidson says:
    April 24th, 2007 at 12:02 am

    I’m reading Six Frigates now. Well researched and well written. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in naval history, or the earliest days of the U.S. history. Great historical detail– a nice read.

  4. Brian says:
    April 24th, 2007 at 10:18 am

    Thanks for your perspective, Garr. I felt the same way about the book.

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