Customer Reviews

Old Ironsides: Eagle of the Sea: The Story of the USS Constitution

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

 

 

I'm very surprised to see the 5-star ratings of the previous reviewers; I'm not sure what their backgrounds are or if we in fact read the same book! My background includes the study of the age of sail for over 40 years, the reading of approximately 200 books on the AoS, the writing of two such books, and 27 years in the navy and naval reserve.

I read this book eagerly, having seen Col. Fitz-Enz speaking about it on CSPAN BookTV, and I was frankly charmed by him and his enthusiasm for what's also been my favorite ship since I was in grade school. However, I quickly became appalled at the disorganization, stream-of-consciousness flow, and huge quantities of factual errors. (Just a couple of errors as illustration: Adm. Sir John Jervis defeated but did not "destroy" the Spanish fleet at the Battle of St. Vincent (only 4 of 24 ships were taken); the other historic ship currently preserved in the Charlestown Navy Yard is the USS "Cassin Young" ...not the USS "Cason"; the famous British author C.S. Forester (creator of the "Horatio Hornblower" series) is NOT an "American" author). There are dozens, if not scores, of errors throughout the book, including considerable misspellings and misapplications of common and technical naval and nautical terms. I find this last remarkable, considering the author stresses that he was motivated by his interest in the technology of how man has gone to war throughout history.

Col. Fitz-Enz clearly did considerable reading and research, but clearly understood far less than he needed to before beginning to write. He does have some interesting remarks and insights (I liked particularly his mini-essay on how life moved so much slower 200 years ago). However I fear, as published, this is a marginal work; it's as if it were a "first draft" rushed to print. Moreover, I would have thought he would have spent some decent research time onboard "Old Ironsides" as well as in the tremendous USS Constitution Museum, the Museum's outstanding Library and Archives, and in the Naval Historical Detachment Boston's offices (the remarkable technical craftsmen who constantly maintain the ship); from personal experience, I can testify that they would have opened almost everything up to him and spent considerable time with him. However, it seems he only spent 3 hours on one of the ship's public "turnaround" towed cruises in Boston Harbor, talking briefly with the ship's XO. Living in upstate New York, he could have easily made another trip to Boston; however, for some reason he chose to spend most of his travel time and money in trips to Britain and Washington, DC. It's also surprising that the publisher did not have someone at all familiar with the age-of-sail in general, or "Old Ironsides" in particular, look the manuscript over to catch the myriad technical errors and frequent misconceptions of naval life and history. It's also surprising that there doesn't seem to have been any copy editor to rework organization and flow.

Considering that there are a number of truly excellent books already out there on the USS "Constitution," it's not clear why the author thought he had anything new to offer that might mitigate the poor showing of this book.

This is quick-and-dirty popular history, more suitable for a script for a cruise-ship lecture than a printed book. Far better choices would be Ty Martin's "A Most Fortunate Ship," or Thomas Gillmer's "Old Ironsides: the Rise, Decline, and Resurrection of the USS Constitution."

I truly am sorry for this negative review; I believe the author's heart was in the right place and his enthusiasm quite genuine, but his product has been very poorly executed.

This book covers more about life in the age of sail than it does the history of the USS Constitution. While I learned a lot, probably less than half the book is spent on the ship itself. I was hoping for an exhaustive history and instead got a view of life at sea with only references to the Constitution herself. More time seems to be spent describing public fundraising efforts to save her from being broken up then on her wartime contributions and circumnavigation of the globe.The descriptions of her single ship actions are limited and rely almost exclusively on the reports of the Captains who fought the ships (the reports themselves are printed in entirety) instead of being thoroughly researched and explained. A pretty good book but not what I was hoping for.

I find myself in harmony with "Dr. Maturin's" review. Little new here not more eloquently or accurately provided in Ty Martin's "A Most Fortunate Ship" (reviewed earlier and a hands-down recommendation in this genre). Organization is indeed poor, "facts" not in order, etc. A cherished American icon, the author does the venerable lady nor the reader no great service with this entry. As a university treatise reviewed for Masters or Doctoral consideration, this "manuscript" would be subjected to considerable criticism apparently absent from the publisher's editorial policy. And as the earlier reviewer notes, there is no substitute for being there, talking to the experts. An amateur Civil War historian, I have gained considerable insight from hours walking battlefields, speaking with NPS staff, other historians, etc. I would expect at least as much from an author as justifiably enamored with "Old Ironsides" as is Mr. Fitz-Enz.

Overall, I enjoyed reading most of the book but at times I did have trouble staying focused. The author includes a great deal of information in the book, but sometimes all the details get a bit monotonous and the book starts to drag for a bit. Instead of roughly 240 pages the book could probably be boiled down into a more succinct 175 pages. Considering the book was not written by a life long author but rather a retired military guy, I give it 4 stars.

The "Eagle Of The Sea" is far from a traditional history documentary. This book cleverly weaves together and establishes a relationship between history, technology, nationalism and the lives of the people of the time. The style of writing used makes history come alive. Col. Fitz-Enz has obviously done exhaustive research on this book and it goes well beyond giving the reader insight to the skill and labor involved in constructing the USS Constitution and the maintenance required to keep it afloat during its now 208 years of distinguished service. The reader also "observes" how navigation was done and the use of the wind to power the sails. Actually, the techniques and instruments used in determining latitude and longitude in the late 1700's were the same as those used until only a few years ago, the map, sextant and two chronometers. Today of course navigation is accomplished by the use of GPS or Global Positioning Satellites. This book was thoroughly enjoyable, very informative, interesting and written in a very comprehendible "visual" style with I feel broad appeal.

I bought a hard cover "used" book and paid near full price. The book was bound wrong and missing over 60 pages. The book was obviously known to be flawed and resold anyway. The good news is that the book is poorly written anyway and hardly worth reading. The author simply quotes other writings on all subjects and footnotes them. It reads like an advanced high school research paper. If you like that sort of "book" go for it.
I think the book is so bad I will not waste my time with Amazon to get a refund or replacement book.

This is a tremendous addition to the literature on America's most famous warship. Rather than just a rehash of battles fought and won, it details the politics, society, and situations that made her great. Fascinating tales of the numerous other professions that went into her construction - sailmaking, woodworking, ropemaking, etc. - are woven into the story.
Perhaps most intriguing are the discussions of the men who served Constitution and of their daily life aboard. The battles have been detailed previously, but this book reminds us that there are no battles between ships, but rather between the men aboard. And it gives one of the finest explanations yet of just what was meant by the "Not The Little Belt" painted on the sails of HMS Guerriere.
Well footnoted and documented, the book provides a treasure trove of additional places to learn even more. Highly recommended.

This book is the most complete that I have ever found on the Constitution. It starts with a general description of sailing ships of the time and the specific design goals specified for this ship. From there it goes into the actual construction; everything from the various trades needed to build the ship to the types of wood used and the men assigned to the ship.

The main battles in which the Constitition fought were during the War of 1812, where the design of the ship was proven correct. Bigger than the smaller English frigates, faster than the bigger English ships. Well crewed, well officered, well armed, well handled the Constitution served the United States very well. Various other duties were handled well until about the time of the Civil War when wooden sailing ships were nearing the end of their practical lives.

After the Civil War the story of the Constitution is one of preservation, rebuilding, and increasing respect as this the oldest ship on the active duty roster in the world remains an object of veneration.

The degree of research goes beyond anything previously offered. For the history buff or the casual reader this book is a winner. It moves along well not slowed but rather enriched by the wealth of detail it contains. Once opened it was hard to put down.