John Paul Jones, founder of the United States navy and the hero of the Revolutionary War, is one of the most romanticized and controversial figures in American history. His extraordinary life has been the subject of novels by some of the world's greatest writers, including Melville, Kipling, Dumas, and Thackery. Now, world-renowned biographer James Mackay, author of William Wallace: Brave Heart and Michael Collins: A Life, takes on the myths and delivers the true story of the man who bedeviled the British with his audacious coastal raids and brilliant tactical maneuvers.
In a gripping, dramatic narrative, Mackay traces the story of Jones's life from his obscure youth in Scotland, to his celebrated exploits as one of the first captains in the American navy, to his ill-fated service in the Russian fleet under Catherine the Great. Mackay brings to life the indomitable will of a man whose refusal to surrender brought glory on the seas, yet whose legendary arrogance betrayed him in intrigues (both political and romantic) that prevented him from achieving the admiral rank and command he coveted and led to his premature death, destitute and alone in Paris.
I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight is the stirring portrait of a complex and fascinating man - and arguably the greatest commander ever to sail the seas.
