Command Under Sail: Makers of the American Naval Tradition 1775-1850

by James C. Bradford (editor)

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 traditions.

Genres: Military History

476 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1985

About the author

James C. Bradford, Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M University, has served as president of the North American Society for Oceanic History, held the Class of 1957 Distinguished Chair in Naval Heritage at the U.S. Naval Academy, and received the Commodore Dudley W. Knox Naval History Lifetime Achievement Award from the Naval Historical Foundation.

Reviews

[QOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is, essentially, "Great Sailors of the Early US." It's an older book (although there is a newer version) and features essays by some of the best (older) naval historians.

More importantly is that each author cites to primary sources as well as mentions further reading in the secondary source arena. Granted, some of those books are very hard to come by now, but it's nice to have a place to start with some of the lesser-known captains.