Lord Keith, a Scottish admiral who rose to prominence serving His Majesty from 1761 to 1815, ended his career by overseeing Napoleon s surrender in 1815. Born George Keith Elphinstone, Keith at one time or another held nearly every important command in the British navy, and his story illustrates the navy s history during the Age of Fighting Sail. McCranie s book is the first modern biography of Keith, who learned the art of commanding single ships and small squadrons during the American Revolution. Keith eventually commanded four major fleets the Eastern Seas, the Mediterranean, the North...

Uriah Levy s naval career spanned the age of sail to the era of steam-driven ironclads. As one of the few Jewish Americans in the U.S. Navy, Levy was the target of prejudice and was court-martialed six times for his response to perceived insults, yet he was the only Jew who reached the rank of Flag Officer. As an advocate for the enlisted soldier, he fought for and succeeded in putting an end to flogging in the Navy. As perhaps the first American historic preservationist, he bought and restored Jefferson s beloved but failing Monticello and opened it for public tours. In further tribute to...

Now in paperback for the first time, this collection of biographical essays delves into the careers of thirteen colorful naval leaders who guided the U.S. Navy through four turbulent decades of transition. Interpretive in approach, each essay emphasizes facets of the officer's personality or aspects of his career that made lasting contributions to the navy.

This collection of interpretive, biographical essays on the admirals of the new steel navy continues the story of the development of the American naval begun so successfully in Command Under Sail and Captains of the Old Steam Navy. During the period of 1880 to 1930, the U.S. Navy underwent a significant transformation as it adapted to new technologies and grew to meet the responsibilities thrust upon it by America's new role as a world power. This book offers readers an entertaining yet informative history that allows amateur and professionals alike to better appreciate the U.S....

This entertaining collection of essays takes a biographical approach to early American naval history. The period from 1775 to 1850 was a trying time for the infant navy, a time when much was demanded of individual officers. New in paperback, this book focuses not only on battles and ships but on the colorful men, such as Oliver Hazard Perry and Stephen Decatur, who helped shape the U.S. Navy in the age of sail. By viewing the era through the lives of the participants, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of America's new navy and the roots of its...

With its impressive breadth of coverage both geographically and chronologically the International Encyclopedia of Military History is the most up-to-date and inclusive A-Z resource on military history. From uniforms and military insignia worn by combatants to the brilliant military leaders and tacticians who commanded them, the campaigns and wars to the weapons and equipment used in them, this international and multi-cultural two-volume set is an accessible resource combining the latest scholarship in the field with a world perspective on military history."