Andrew Foote: Civil War Admiral on Western Waters

Library of Naval Biography

by Spencer C. Tucker

Traces the career of one of the U.S. Navy's first admirals who was a key figure in several pivotal Union victories and the expansion of U.S. interests in China.

Genres: Civil War

260 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief, concise, very succinct biography of one of the Union's much overlooked heroes, this book really packs a punch. The author posits that Foote would be better remembered today if he had survived the war. Having died before Gettysburg from Bright's disease, he never got to see the end of the conflict. This biography will be placed on my top shelf of naval books. Definitely worth the time and effort to read it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second biography that I've read about Civil War Admirals. The first being David Dixon Porter, which was interesting but a very dry read.
This book was much better, a far more enjoyable read. It takes awhile to reach Foote's Civil War service but that is because Foote served in every rank and in every theater where the American Navy went. He traveled the world through his service. He was on the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. He visited the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), Europe, Africa, South America, China, Japan, and more in his long career.
Foote's career began with the fledgling and insignificant American Navy that had more officers than ships to the Globe-spanning and premiere Navy of the World! Through his efforts, he put in place policies that are taken for granted today. Reading this book, you truly see how great a man he was.
One of the highlights of his career in the Pre-Civil War period was his service with the African Squadron where he made great efforts in stopping the Slave Trade on American ships. Throughout his life, Foote was a devout Christian and felt his first duty was to God, his second was to his Nation.