Six Frigates Audiobook By Ian W. Toll cover art

Six Frigates

The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy

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Six Frigates

By: Ian W. Toll
Narrated by: Stephen Lang
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Before the ink was dry on the Constitution of the United States, the establishment of a permanent military had become the most divisive issue facing the young republic. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect American commerce from the vicious depredations of the Barbary pirates, or would it drain the treasury and provoke hostilities with the great powers? How large a navy would suffice? The founders -- particularly Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, and Adams -- debated these questions fiercely and switched sides more than once.

In 1794, President Washington signed legislation authorizing the construction of six heavy frigates. The unique combination of power, speed and tactical versatility -- smaller than a battleship and larger than a sloop -- that all navies sent on their most daring missions. It was the first great appropriation of federal money and the first demonstration of the power of the new central government, calling for the creation of entirely new domestic industries, and the extraction of natural resources from the backwoods of Maine to the uninhabited coastal islands of Georgia.

From the complicated politics of the initial decision, through the cliffhanger campaign against Tripoli, to the war that shook the world in 1812, Ian W. Toll tells this grand tale with the political insight of Founding Brothers and a narrative flair worthy of Patrick O'Brian. In the words of Henry Adams, the 1812 encounter between USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere "raised the United States in one half hour to the rank of a first class power in the world."©2006 Ian W. Toll; (P)2006 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved. Americas Armed Forces Military Naval Forces Pirate Naval History
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Critic reviews

"Wonderfully atmospheric...brilliantly researched, full of stirring action and rich with the scent of the sea."
-- Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman
Comprehensive Naval History • Engaging Historical Narrative • Fascinating Political Context • Well-researched Details

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If you enjoyed John Adams and 1776 (not the same author, but similar in genre), you'll love Six Frigates. As is usually the case with this type of book, I feel the need to listen a second time to catch the details I missed, but it will be as pleasant the second time as it was the first. Great book, well read and it gave me tidbits to share at my next get-together with friends.

Excellent

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I found "Six Frigates" extremely enjoyable and accurate. Carefully placed and dramatic details create a historically believable atmosphere and characters. Relying heavily on first person accounts the early history of the US Navy is brought to life in a factual and unromantic fashion that is refreshing to the ears of any history buff.

Bring US Naval History to Life

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This is a wonderful book. An unabridged version needs to be made. Much more in the book to be learned and enjoyed.

Abridgment

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Everything has a beginning. It fascinating to know that the Constitution was one of the first new/large warship in our navy.

Interesting story.

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Fantastic tail of early America. This book should be required reading in public schools, but won't be.

Read the book, ordered the audio book years later.

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