Six Frigates The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy [Paperback]

Before the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent military became the most divisive issue facing the new government. The foundersparticularly Jefferson, Madison, and Adamsdebated fiercely. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect from pirates or drain the treasury and provoke hostility? Britain alone had hundreds of powerful warships.Sweeping in scope, full of vivid descriptions... solidly grounded in the diplomatic landscape... a masterly work.[A] wonderfully atmospheric account, brilliantly researched, full of stirring action and rich with the scent of the sea.Gripping... a masterful narrative... Toll captures the ambivalence of the government, and its reluctance to pay for even a tiny navy, very well.Toll has a light touch, much like noted historian David McCullough; well-researched facts are carefully balanced by smooth narrative flow.... The result is a thoroughly readable book that adds depth and significance to an important era of American history.Vibrant and comprehensive, Toll makes an impressive debut. A fluent, intelligent history...give[s] the reader a feel for the human quirks and harsh demands of life at sea.