The Frigates

The Seafarers

by Henry Gruppe, Time-Life Books (Editor)

Looks at the young American nation's frigates, modest but lethal fighting ships that challenged Europe's mightiest men-of-war

Genres: History, Naval History, Maritime, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another lavishly illustrated and well researched book to add to my Time-Life library. Gruppe's The Frigates is focused on American frigates during the War of 1812. After the USS Constitution defeated the British warship HMS Guerriere, it was such an important victory that the struck colors of the vanquished frigate were rushed to Washington DC. The young midshipman who was assigned to bring the news to President Madison burst into the White House as a formal dance was being held. The midshipman draped the the battle flag of the HMS Guerriere around the shoulders of an astonished Dolly Madison as that junior officer announced the first great naval victory of the young American republic in the 19th century.

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good and detailed description of the US Navy frigates and the men who sailed her. It is also a good description of the 1812 war against Britain which thankfully was ended by treaty before any real embarrassment to the latter.

[Henry Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good review of the early US navy

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished up the book on the frigates, which was lovely. If you’re interested in that period of maritime history at all (and you should be!), you definitely need to check it out. Fair warning, though: the book series focuses on American ships, which feels a little odd (at least for me) with the British Royal Navy having done it all before us, but it’s still fascinating.

[Ray Savarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Read. I liked the changeup of a book with illistrative pictures, as opposed to most books I read which are all text. A nice diversion. Covers the history of the major frigates of the US from late 1700's to just after the war of 1812, alonmg with the major engagemetns of those times.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was ten. My father had bought ias part of a larger collection. This is probably one of my favorite non-fiction books.