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A revelation of America's War of Independence, a sweeping tale of maritime rebel-entrepreneurs bent on personal profit as well as national freedom. Privateers were legalized pirates empowered by the Continental Congress to raid and plunder, at their own considerable risk, as much enemy trade as they could successfully haul back to America's shores. Patton writes how privateering engaged all levels of Revolutionary life, from the dockyards to the assembly halls; how it gave rise to an often cutthroat network of agents who sold captured goods and sparked wild speculation in purchased shares in privateer ventures, enabling sailors to make more money in a month than they might otherwise earn in a year; and how they turned their seafaring talents to the slave trade. Vast fortunes made through privateering survive to this day, among them those of the Peabodys, Cabots, and Lowells of Massachusetts, and the Derbys and Browns of Rhode Island.--From publisher description.… (más)
Interesting subject, but where the reader might expect details of high sea battles, the book mostly covers the American Revolutionaries who financed and politically supported the privateers. That being said there are a few accounts of sea battles and the economic impact of the goods taken and how they affected the America Revolution, but again most of the focus is less on the actual sea fairing and more on the politicking and financing that allowed it to happen. While interesting to some it may be dull for readings wanting more adventurous filled stories, which they might expected upon picking up this book (the adage of not judging a book by the cover came to mind). The subject matter is well researched with many quotes from letters of the individuals examined and a rather extensive bibliography of read sources. Fairly well written and comprehensive with a length (approx. 260 pages with the prologue and introduction) that is well suited to a weekend read. A decent and good read. ( )
With only a handful of American Navy warships against the globe-spanning Royal Navy, the real focus on the war at sea was carried out by privately-owned warships, privateers, authorized to attack English ships in exchange for part of what sale of ship and cargo realized. About 1,000 privateers tackled the English fleet with great losses, funneling supplies to the American army and driving up insurance rates. An eye-opening insight into a largely ignored as left of the War for Independence at sea. for this overview, I would like to have seen some more statistics, even with the understanding that firm figures are likely not available. ( )
I really wanted to love this book because the premise was very interesting. There were a few interesting stories woven throughout that captured my whole attention. For instance, I was fascinated by the battle between John Paul Jones and the privateers because sailors were abandoning the navy to join privateers for money. Unfortunately, such stories were scattered willy-nilly in an unorganized narrative. Patton would have benefited from a good editor and an outline. There was a good story there, it just got lost in the shuffle. ( )
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
for Vicki, of course and for the memory of my father, George S. Patton IV
Primeras palabras
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
Beset by a sudden squall in April 1775, a small British sloop, "very much torn to pieces by the gale of wind," ducked into the sheltered bay off Beverly, Massachusetts, sometime after dark.
Citas
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
The New Englanders are fitting out light vessels of war, by which it is hoped we shall not only clear the seas and bays here of everything below the size of a ship of war, but that they will visit the coasts of Europe and distress the British trade in every part of the world. The adventurous genius and intrepidity of those people is amazing. -- Thomas Jefferson, July 1775.
It is prudent not to put virtue to too serious a test. I would use American virtue as sparingly as possible lest we wear it out. -- John Adams, in support of Congressional approval of independent privateers, October 1775.
Últimas palabras
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
"We could not help but exalt that we had once more set our feet in the land of liberty."
A revelation of America's War of Independence, a sweeping tale of maritime rebel-entrepreneurs bent on personal profit as well as national freedom. Privateers were legalized pirates empowered by the Continental Congress to raid and plunder, at their own considerable risk, as much enemy trade as they could successfully haul back to America's shores. Patton writes how privateering engaged all levels of Revolutionary life, from the dockyards to the assembly halls; how it gave rise to an often cutthroat network of agents who sold captured goods and sparked wild speculation in purchased shares in privateer ventures, enabling sailors to make more money in a month than they might otherwise earn in a year; and how they turned their seafaring talents to the slave trade. Vast fortunes made through privateering survive to this day, among them those of the Peabodys, Cabots, and Lowells of Massachusetts, and the Derbys and Browns of Rhode Island.--From publisher description.
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