Using sources ranging from official documents and ship's logs to personal letters and the Farragut family bible, Lewis presents the fascinating true story of David Glasgow Farragut. An officer in the U.S. Navy at the age of 11, he was prizemaster of a captured British whaling ship (and required to put down a mutiny by her former Captain) at age 12! Described by his Commanding Officer as "Seven pounds of uniform and seventy pounds of fight!", he travels the world, learns several languages and grows to be the officer who is arguably the best American Naval Officer ever, later to become our first Admiral . His life is an example of heroism and bravery told with amazing detail and wonderfully dramatic action. It is compelling and edifying reading. His epic Civil War battles are to be read in Volume II.

An excellent review of an excellent man. Historically accurate and using sources ranging from offical records and ships logs to personal letters and the Farragut family Bible. The first of a two volume set, this volume depicts the life of Farragut from birth to the beginning of the Civil War. A Naval Officer at the age of 11, his Commanding Officer remarked that he was seven pounds of uniform and seventy pounds of fight. He was made a prizemaster of a captured whaling ship, in the war of 1812, at the age of twelve. This is not dry historical subject, but a fascinating account of a truly heroic man. Read this book! The examples of character and heroism in Farragut's life can give us all standards, stories, and examples to live up to.

Using sources ranging from official documents and ship's logs to personal letters and the Farragut family bible, Lewis presents the fascinating true story of David Glasgow Farragut. An officer in the U.S. Navy at the age of 11, he was prizemaster of a captured British whaling ship (and required to put down a mutiny by her former Captain) at age 12! Described by his Commanding Officer as "Seven pounds of uniform and seventy pounds of fight!", he travels the world, learns several languages and grows to be the officer who is arguably the best American Naval Officer ever, later to become our first Admiral . His life is an example of heroism and bravery told with amazing detail and wonderfully dramatic action. It is compelling and edifying reading. His epic Civil War battles are to be read in Volume II.

Good book about a great American. Lincoln's Admiral by James Duffy is more complete. ... Farragut was of Spanish ancestry not Latin American, or so called latino in today's political correctness. Let's not bend the facts of Farragut's ancestry solely to make Latinos feel more American. There are many "latinos" who have been war heroes, medal of Honor recipients. Latinos & Spanish Americans should be and I know are proud of the role they have played in this great country of ours , the USA.

This is a great book for students with limited English proficiency. The life of David Farragut is presented in Spanish on one page and English on the next. This not only helps these students learn English but gives them a book which they can read successfully. There is also the pride they recieve from learning about the contributions made by one of their own ethnic group. There should be many more books like this.

I was not sure whether I wanted to read a biography of Farragut after having read Loyall Farragut's biography of his father, but I enjoyed Duffy's book. He does not blindly glorify Farragut's memory, but clearly shows why David Farragut's long career in the Navy and perceptive intellect made him one of the most effective military leaders during the Civil War. Duffy is also one of the few authors/historians to portray Adm. David Dixon Porter in a negative light by shedding light on Porter's attempts to upstage and undermine Farragut's accomplishments via his connections in Washington.

I read this book when it was first published in 1997 and although I had never heard of Admiral David Farragut I had heard "Damn the torpedoes..." from some where (I'm an Australian!). I found this book to be a very easy to read biography of a very interesting man. I have very limited knowledge of naval matters (I was a grunt) but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was enjoyable to read and the battle scenes were vivid and easy to follow. I would recommend this book to anybody who has an interest in the American Civil War.

Chronicles the rise of young boy through heady sea-faring days of our growing nation. Young man taken from home and hearth and placed at the hands of seasoned travelers and their time honored traditions. Its a world of true responsibility, where each member of the crew is a factor in the entire ships survival.

This book is a great book for those needing to do a report like me. It tells about how young David grew up to become the great Civil War Admiral that he is remembered as. Did you know that the ranks of Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral were created for this ingenious man? With tons of facts, names, and dates this book has all the information you would ever need to do a report on Admiral Farragut!