Joshua Barney: Hero of the Revolution and 1812 (Library of Naval Biography) [Hardcover]

Louis Arthur Norton (Author)

Book Description

Series: Library of Naval Biography | Publication Date: November 2000

The story of the swashbuckling Commodore Barney.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Commodore Joshua Barney took part in 35 Revolutionary War naval battles and was captured by the British three times. Twice he was exchanged for a British officer. The third time he was sent to the Old Mill Prison in Plymouth, England, from which he escaped. He was shipwrecked twice, and he put down one mutiny. Later Barney became a hero for his distinguished service during the War of 1812. In addition to his naval service, he commanded privateers flying the American and French flags, traded in the war-torn waters of the Caribbean and Europe, held various government offices, twice ran unsuccessfully for Congress, and made and lost several fortunes. Despite his impressive accomplishments--and this list touches on only a few of them--Barney's exploits have largely been forgotten. Norton's biography, the latest volume in the publisher's Library of Naval Biography series, is a much-needed retelling of the commodore's remarkable life and times. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557504903
• ISBN-13: 978-1557504906
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,473,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joshua Barney: Hero of the Revoltion and 1812, January 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Joshua Barney: Hero of the Revolution and 1812 (Library of Naval Biography) (Hardcover)

This is a well written and organized book about one of the most fascinating naval officers to serve America during the crucial years of the formation of our nation. His biography involves crossing the paths of many of the great figures of the Revolution, including Washington, Franklin, Morris, Adams, Napoleon, Madison, Monroe, and John Paul Jones among others. Norton has brought the long neglected history of the Continental Navy to life in this work. The adventures of Barney as a yong seaman, lieutenant, privateer and ultimately captain and commodore from captive of the British to clever businessman make for fascinating reading. It is a story that is so exciting, it is difficult to put down. I highly recommend it those who are interested in naval history, Revolutionary War history and those who simply like a good adventure story. It is remarkable that is a work of non-fiction. It reads as well as the best of the Hornblower novels.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Proud Marylander Joshua Barney, February 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Joshua Barney: Hero of the Revolution and 1812 (Library of Naval Biography) (Hardcover)

I was born in Maryland and spent a good part of my life in and around Baltimore. Unitl I read this biography I was not aware of Joshua Barney. He makes me proud to be a Marylander. The book is very well written, fast moving and gives a overview of maritime warfare plus the history of the time in which the commodore lived. I would especially recommend the book to anyone from the tidewater area who is interested what happened, particularly at sea, during of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and times in between.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lost navl hero comes alive, January 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Joshua Barney: Hero of the Revolution and 1812 (Library of Naval Biography) (Hardcover)

This is a thoughtful, intelligent, yet unsentimental biography of one of the most fascinating American naval officers of the Revolutionary War as well as the War of 1812. The author's depiction of Barney is one of maritime adventure and he couples it with the the contemporary history of of the time. Barney's incredible bravery and resourcefulness are balanced by problems of ego and vulnerability. I found the book engrossing and excellent reading.