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Captain Paul
“I watched John Paul Jones flash like a flaming meteor across the dark days of our struggle for independence.”
1773.
When Tom Folger’s father is lost during a whaling expedition, the young Nantucketer is forced to put aside thoughts of his printer’s apprenticeship to support his mother.
In keeping with the family’s sea-faring tradition, he joins a whaler’s crew and sets out on his first cruise, but an encounter with a bull sperm whale changes everything.
Not only does Tom find himself promoted third mate, a position not without its difficulties, but it leads to a chance encounter with the enigmatic Captain Paul.
An ex-slaver and merchantman, the fugitive Scottish buccaneer’s path becomes entwined with that of Tom. With conflict brewing the two join the fledgling Continental Navy.
Through trials and tribulations, politicking and treachery, Tom sails with Captain Paul from Nassau to France and on into the home waters of the feared Royal Navy.
As the Revolutionary War rages on, a legend will be born.
With echoes of Moby Dick and Hornblower, Captain Paul is an enthralling fictional biography of John Paul Jones that vividly brings to life the brotherhood of the sea.
Edward Ellsberg (1891-1983) was a United States Navy officer, serving from 1914-26 and again from 1942-51. Retiring as a Rear Admiral, he had specialised in marine salvage and engineering. First taking up his pen in the inter-war years, he became a popular author of naval fiction and non-fiction.
1773.
When Tom Folger’s father is lost during a whaling expedition, the young Nantucketer is forced to put aside thoughts of his printer’s apprenticeship to support his mother.
In keeping with the family’s sea-faring tradition, he joins a whaler’s crew and sets out on his first cruise, but an encounter with a bull sperm whale changes everything.
Not only does Tom find himself promoted third mate, a position not without its difficulties, but it leads to a chance encounter with the enigmatic Captain Paul.
An ex-slaver and merchantman, the fugitive Scottish buccaneer’s path becomes entwined with that of Tom. With conflict brewing the two join the fledgling Continental Navy.
Through trials and tribulations, politicking and treachery, Tom sails with Captain Paul from Nassau to France and on into the home waters of the feared Royal Navy.
As the Revolutionary War rages on, a legend will be born.
With echoes of Moby Dick and Hornblower, Captain Paul is an enthralling fictional biography of John Paul Jones that vividly brings to life the brotherhood of the sea.
Edward Ellsberg (1891-1983) was a United States Navy officer, serving from 1914-26 and again from 1942-51. Retiring as a Rear Admiral, he had specialised in marine salvage and engineering. First taking up his pen in the inter-war years, he became a popular author of naval fiction and non-fiction.
- GenresHistory
546 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1941
40 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Edward Ellsberg
60 books13 followersEdward Ellsberg (1891-1983) graduated first in his class from the United States Naval Academy in 1914. After he did a stint aboard the USS Texas, the navy sent Ellsberg to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for postgraduate training in naval architecture. In 1925, he played a key role in the salvage of the sunken submarine USS S-51 and became the first naval officer to qualify as a deep-sea diver. Ellsberg later received the Distinguished Service Medal for his innovations and hard work.
Rear Admiral Ellsberg was awarded the C.B.E. by His Majesty King George VI, and two Legions of Merit by the United States Government.
Rear Admiral Ellsberg was awarded the C.B.E. by His Majesty King George VI, and two Legions of Merit by the United States Government.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 8, 2019
By far the best book of the sea I have ever read And i have read many
I thought this was just a novel based on John P life but realizing what this man really went through was factual ,I was completely
Taken aback by what a truly great sea dog and captain he really
Was.I was so saddened to hear how he was treated by not only the ppl he trusted but even in America. God Bless his soul. Neil c
I thought this was just a novel based on John P life but realizing what this man really went through was factual ,I was completely
Taken aback by what a truly great sea dog and captain he really
Was.I was so saddened to hear how he was treated by not only the ppl he trusted but even in America. God Bless his soul. Neil c
February 4, 2019
A fictional character tags along with John Paul Jones as he serves the nascent American navy during the Revolutionary War. This is why I enjoy historical fiction so much. You can learn history and enjoy a great novel at the same time.
August 17, 2022
Compelling read
As a USNA grad ,1974, I often was in he chapel crypt where JPJ is entombed. His bravery is well described in this piece of historical fiction. Well worth the time to absorb this book!
As a USNA grad ,1974, I often was in he chapel crypt where JPJ is entombed. His bravery is well described in this piece of historical fiction. Well worth the time to absorb this book!
August 2, 2017
Overall good book with fast pace action.
October 3, 2025
In Edward Ellsberg’s Captain Paul, A Tale of John Paul Jones, Tom Folger’s father has perished at sea during a whaling expedition. Now, Tom must follow in the family business to support his widowed mother. However, after having a terrifying encounter with a harpooned whale which led to loss of life, Tom is faced with a choice. Thanks to a fortuitous encounter with Captain John Paul Jones, Tom decides to join America’s fight for independence, despite its small chance of success. The only question left to be answered is, how long will Tom survive?
Captain Paul is an intriguing historical tale which is set before America’s war for independence. It is a rich nautical adventure told in incredible detail. It is very well-written even though it is told in a verbose style which is quite different than today’s era. It is reminiscent of Captain Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander. There were places in the narrative where the plot was caught in the doldrums. Nonetheless, Captain Paul is an entertaining read. If you like tales on the high sea, Captain Paul may be right up your alley.
I was given a free copy, in exchange for my honest review
Captain Paul is an intriguing historical tale which is set before America’s war for independence. It is a rich nautical adventure told in incredible detail. It is very well-written even though it is told in a verbose style which is quite different than today’s era. It is reminiscent of Captain Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander. There were places in the narrative where the plot was caught in the doldrums. Nonetheless, Captain Paul is an entertaining read. If you like tales on the high sea, Captain Paul may be right up your alley.
I was given a free copy, in exchange for my honest review
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews