Full Speed Ahead! America's First Admiral: David Glasgow Farragut

by Louise Borden

Discover the man behind everyone's favorite call to action, "Full speed ahead!" in this inspiring and engaging biography about the first Admiral of the United States Navy, David Glasgow Farragut.

At the age of nine, David Glasgow Farragut was appointed a midshipman in the US Navy by President James Madison. It was the start of a celebrated career. Farragut sailed aboard ships along the Delaware River, in the Caribbean, and across the Atlantic Ocean, even rounding the tip of South America, all while rising through the naval ranks from midshipman to admiral. When the Civil War began, Captain Farragut dedicated his life to protecting the United States as it was being torn in two. When President Lincoln asked him to capture New Orleans, the city Farragut once called home, and later to take Mobile Bay, the officer had only one order for his fleet: Full speed ahead! Noted nonfiction writer Louise Borden's in-depth research uncovers a man dedicated to his country -- a man who earned the title of America's first admiral.

Genres: Civil War, Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

There were already two Louises in my family when I was born: my mother and my grandmother, Nana, who lived with us when I was growing up. So early on, I was given the name Leezie. This is a name that my family still calls me. Years later, my niece was born and also named Louise. Then there were four of us with the same name! Louise is a fine name to have except that people often spell it incorrectly. Sometimes my mail is addressed to Louisa, or Louisie, or Lewis, or Lois. Leezie is also tough for people to spell. Names and their pronunciations have always interested me, so writing about a teacher named Mrs. Kempczinski was a natural thing for me to do.

I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.

Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.

Reviews

[Nancy Mcclenathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated biography of David Glasgow Farragut is written in verse. Before I read this book, I only remembered Farragut was in the Navy, but reading this book made me realize what a patriotic hero Farragut was. From being made a midshipman in the US Navy before he was the age of ten, to leading the fleet that captured New Orleans during theCivil War, Farragut was a true American hero. He had many honors bestowed on him, including being the Navy’s first admiral.

Louise Borden did a lot of research for this book, which has resulted in a stunning biography for a large age range of readers.

Thank you to Boyd’s Mills & Kane for giving me the opportunity to read this biography.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is intended for my Son and his sons because I'm sure they will enjoy it. I had never heard of this Admiral before so it was an interesting read.