About The Book

IF BY SEA is the definitive history of the founding of the United States Navy. It charts forty tumultuous years of false starts, failures and triumphs, as the fledgling republic sought to establish its place in the world. From the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775 to Yorktown in 1781; from the Quasi-War with France and the War with Tripoli, and from the great naval battles of the War of 1812 to New Orleans, the need for and prospects of an American navy were very much in question. During the Federalist Era (1789-1801), in particular, even as other national institutions were moving from the words of the Constitution to the reality of a workable republican government, the founding fathers were embroiled in a vicious partisan fight over the navy's very existence. Indeed, the political bickering went on and on, well into the next century, ending only when the navy, through its undeniable record of achievement during the War of 1812, proved indispensable to the country's defense and to the peace that followed.
* WINNER OF THE 2008 SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON AWARD *

*THE FRAUNCES TAVERN MUSEUM BOOK AWARD: HONORABLE MENTION FOR 2009 *

* SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE BEST SELLER *

* MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM BEST SELLER *

Saturday, January 31, 2009

This Week

On Wednesday night, Feb 4, I'll be speaking at the University of Massachusetts Club in Boston. If you happen to be a member I hope you'll be able to attend.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Portland Public Library

The Portland Public Library event was changed from today to Wednesday February 18. I hope that didn't inconvenience anyone and that you'll be able to attend at noon on the 18th.
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

January 21

I'm back in Portland and will be speaking at the Portland Public Library brown bag lunch on Wednesday Jan 21. Please stop by if you're in town to discuss "If By Sea".
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Friday, January 2, 2009

Happy New Year

Best wishes to everyone for 2009. I have just posted the new calender and added a few events that are already scheduled. There will be other events which I will post as the dates are confirmed. Click on the events page to see the schedule. I've had a wonderful time at all of the 2008 events, they've taken me to so many wonderful places and I've met so many interesting people. I look forward to seeing some new and some old friends at the 2009 events.
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