The Boys of 1812

The United States Navy in the age of sail

This book bears its original title which might be misleading as to the entire content. While over 60% of this interesting collection of naval accounts contains fascinating insights into the War of 1812 as it was fought by the navies of Great Britain and the United States of America, the author has elected to 'set the scene' with the development of the United States Navy from its Revolutionary War origins. The reader is introduced to Biddle and the 'Randolph,' the cruises of John Paul Jones and other pivotal events and notable sailors of this early period of the nation's history. Soley closes his text with an overview of the United States Navy as it entered the 19th century, with an assessment of naval activities in the war with Algiers and the Mexican War. The accounts are interesting and the value of the book is enhanced by the author's scene setting. For those interested in the books primary focus it contains much valuable material about the War of 1812, including the action between the 'Constitution' and the 'Guerrier,' the activities of Decatur, Bainbridge and James Lawrence, the cruise of the 'Essex,' Perry on Lake Erie and Macdonough on Lake Champlain, together with actions by United States Navy sloops and other vessels. This 'reader' will fascinate those interested in the conflicts of the world's navies during the great age of sail.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.