Novel set around the exploits of Stephen Decatur (1779-1820), a United States naval officer and commodore notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. It is 1815, and he is running the blockade that the British have maintained on the eastern seaboard of America. But the US Frigate 'President' is a ship of ill omen to him, built parsimoniously of fir and which, the previous night, has been run aground and crippled by an incompetent pilot.
This book is a memorable one for sure. The writing is very punchy. Great action sequences. Evocative. I must warn for somewhat explicit sexually abusive content involving a child though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.