Destroyer Captain: Lessons of a First Command [Hardcover]

Adm. James Stavridis USN (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2008

This memoir of James Stavridis' two years in command of the destroyer USS Barry (DDG-52) reveals the human side of what it is like to be in charge of a warship for the first time and in the midst of international crisis. From Haiti to the Balkans to the Arabian Gulf, the Barry was involved in operations throughout the world during his 1993-1995 tour. Drawing on daily journals he kept for the entire period, the author reveals the complex nature of those deployments in a 'real time' context and describes life on board the Barry and liberty ashore for sailors and officers alike.

With all the joy, doubt, self-examination, hope, and fear of a first command, he offers an honest examination of his experience from the bridge to help readers grasp the true nature of command at sea. The window he provides into the personal lives of the crew illuminates not only their hard work in a ship that spent more than 70 percent of its time underway, but also the sacrifices of their families ashore. Stavridis credits his able crew for the many awards the Barry won while he was captain, including the Battenberg Cup for top ship in the Atlantic Fleet. Naval aficionados who like seagoing fiction will be attracted to the book, as will those fascinated by life at sea. Officers from all the services, especially surface warfare naval officers aspiring to command, will find these lessons of a first command by one of the Navy's most respected admirals both entertaining and instructive.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Travel along as one of the modern world's most remarkable experiences --- taking a fighting ship to sea --- unfolds over 27 months. Your captain will exceed all expectations in competence, candor and literary skill. What you will learn on the voyage is not only about seamanship, but also about how America relies on young men and women to exert its sovereign power in places and situations where it is welcomed and where it is strongly resisted.' --Richard Danzig, Secretary of the Navy, 1998-2001

'This is a stirring tale of leadership challenge and the responsibility of command. How fitting that Admiral Stavridis' command experience was shaped by the adventures of guiding the USS Barry and her intrepid crew a ship named for Irish American John Barry, a courageous warrior who led during the formative days of our fledgling republic. The good fortune and great heart Admiral Stavridis ascribes to Barry is manifest in Destroyer Captain as timeless truths about leadership that accrues great benefit to all Americans thanks to those like Admiral Stavridis who defend us.' --Sean O'Keefe, Secretary of the Navy, 1992-93

'With his insider details about the real worries and triumphs of command, James Stavridis' Destroyer Captain is a must read for all naval officers, and a fascinating adventure for everyone who loves the U.S. Navy.' --Robert N. Macomber, Award-winning author of the Honor Series

'This is a stirring tale of leadership challenge and the responsibility of command. How fitting that Admiral Stavridis' command experience was shaped by the adventures of guiding the USS Barry and her intrepid crew a ship named for Irish American John Barry, a courageous warrior who led during the formative days of our fledgling republic. The good fortune and great heart Admiral Stavridis ascribes to Barry is manifest in Destroyer Captain as timeless truths about leadership that accrues great benefit to all Americans thanks to those like Admiral Stavridis who defend us.' --Sean O'Keefe, Secretary of the Navy, 1992-93

'With his insider details about the real worries and triumphs of command, James Stavridis' Destroyer Captain is a must read for all naval officers, and a fascinating adventure for everyone who loves the U.S. Navy.' --Robert N. Macomber, Award-winning author of the Honor Series

About the Author

Adm. James Stavridis is a 1976 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a native of South Florida. As commander of U.S. Southern Command, he has responsibility for all U.S. military forces in Central and South America and the Caribbean Sea. His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and five awards of the Legion of Merit. He holds a Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and is the coauthor of Command at Sea, Watch Officer's Guide, and Division Officer's Guide.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Naval Institute Press; Second Printing edition (March 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591148499
• ISBN-13: 978-1591148494
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Destroyer Captain, March 22, 2008

By 

Michael Brasseur (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Destroyer Captain: Lessons of a First Command (Hardcover)

I enjoyed the book immensely- as a young officer on USS DEYO (DD 989) during a Mediterranean deployment, I sailed into many of those ports just a few years later in 1998. It was my first introduction to the Navy and to the World for that matter... I too remember thinking many times after those late night watches..."What in the world am I doing?" I also remember the beautiful scenes the author describes about the ocean and it's eternity... And Admiral Stavridis is right, God does live out in those waves.

On a professional level, I of course enjoyed hearing of the Admiral's great triumphs, but it was the failures I cherished most... Not because I enjoy seeing the great fall, as so many Americans thirst for... On the contrary, they were appreciated because I failed more times than I could count when I had Command. I battled those same questions, perhaps more so with just 9 years experience under my belt, and it was just nice to know that on occasion he had failed like me. That said, I was never prouder of my men then when we sailed into Bahrain for the final time...in our wake of a job well done. It was, as the Admiral described, such a sweet sweet period of my life. Despite all my shortcomings and failures, those six months remain the proudest of my professional life.

Even after closing the book's cover, it continues to resonate with me, especially when thinking about the supporting cast (XO, Vince, the rest of the gang) whom I would love to learn more about... What a pleasure this has been to reflect on his experiences, as well as my own in such a framework.

A true joy to read. I am grateful that the author shared his experiences with us.

LCDR Michael Brasseur

(Former Captain of USS WHIRLWIND)

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Captain, great ship, great book!, February 27, 2008

By 

R. Chadwick - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Destroyer Captain: Lessons of a First Command (Hardcover)

I had the great privilege and good fortune to sail all 130,000 nautical miles with Admiral Stavridis during his command tour aboard USS BARRY (DDG 52). This book brought back a wave of great memories. The book brilliantly captures the many elements that made BARRY such a special ship during that time period. Although Admiral Stavridis focuses on the accomplishments of the crew and how they contributed to the success and accolades the ship enjoyed, any reader of the book will recognize the role his leadership played in, among other things, bringing out the best in every crewmember.

The occasional doubts and fears that the Admiral speaks to in the book were very revealing, even to someone who was serving aboard at the time. He certainly kept them well hidden from those of us who were watching him closely, as any great leader will do. In any case, it is a compelling view of the emotional and physical ups and downs of leadership and the unique experience of command at sea.

As someone who is preparing for his first command at sea, I found the book full of valuable insight that I am sure will serve me quite well. Great Captain, great ship, great book!

- Robb Chadwick

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Destroyer Captain, May 27, 2008

By 

T. J. Pappas - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Destroyer Captain: Lessons of a First Command (Hardcover)

Adm. Stavridis takes the reader aboard the destroyer Barry with a day to day briefing.

He shares his hopes, many fears , and his personal life. He is able to convey the constant pressure from the sea, his superiors,and the members of his crew, during his command.

After reading Adm. Stavridis'diary, one has a new appreciation of the dedication of our service men and women for the defense of the United States.