Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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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.

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.

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.

According to the author, the Chasseurs Britannique regiment was present and participated in the burning of Washington in 1814. According to the author the regiment then moved on to attack Baltimore. Unfortunately the book is not foot noted as to the source information.