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Not Self but Country
By Mr. David C Perry Not Self but Country: A new nation forges a new navy (Volume 1) (1st First Edition) [Paperback]
Excellent Book
Paperback
First published January 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 22, 2019
A interesting storyline
It continued history learned in grammar school, eighty years ago. This time it was of interest and written in an entertaining manner.
It continued history learned in grammar school, eighty years ago. This time it was of interest and written in an entertaining manner.
May 28, 2017
I am biased. I wrote this book and I think it is great. BUT - I would love to hear what others think. -Dave
December 29, 2017
I love hstorcal novels. However, I had to struggle thru 45 % of this book before I threw in the towel. It is disjointed, over populated, and, for me, almost impossible to follow. I finally gave up when a character was captured, released, and recaptured without explanation of how. Eventually, as in earlier chapters, I m pretty sure the captain of the prize ship will appear again and we will learn what happened to the prize ship and how this particular person, who was not on that ship, became a prisoner again.
But by then I'll be into another dozen characters, ships, and events, and will have to go back to remember this one.
Sorry, I just can't deal with it.
But by then I'll be into another dozen characters, ships, and events, and will have to go back to remember this one.
Sorry, I just can't deal with it.
August 13, 2025
Well written, but you'd better bone up on your sailing ship jargon.
December 6, 2017
This is the first volume of a new naval fiction series with the American Navy as the subject. This book is full of action that is exciting to read and accurately portrayed. Mr. Perry writes as if he himself has stood on the quarterdeck in the midst of battle!
There are a number of historical characters introduced to us, some as young men before being inserted later in the story, and others are presented as events take place. We encounter Robert Morris, the administrative and financial Father of the Navy; John Barry as master of a merchant ship before his naval and privateer exploits; Richard Dale who is unsure where his loyalties and naval service should be; and John Paul Jones as mate and passenger aboard merchant vessels.
Then there are also characters needed to serve other roles in the narrative. These include Midshipmen and Lieutenants on both Continental Navy and Royal Navy vessels, as well as those who serve as Warrant officers and sailors. This makes meeting and keeping track of everyone difficult at times. The Kindle book has a List of Characters after the narrative, but I had already finished the book before I knew it was there!
Anyone familiar with the history of the Continental Navy knows there isn’t much action that takes place during the Revolutionary War. Worse still are historical events, such as the raid on Nassau and the Battle of Block Island, which are not complimentary to the Commodores and Captains who participated or even exciting actions in any way.
This makes writing naval fiction about the fledgling navy difficult to say the least. Mr. Perry chooses to just mention these events in historical context and writes instead of the early South Carolina Navy for action worthy of presentation in his book.
The U.S.S. Lexington is the first Continental naval vessel Richard Dale serves aboard, before it is captured and he is taken to Mill Prison. He is able to escape, but is unable to make it out of England before being recaptured. Refusing to sit out the war, he again escapes and is able this time to get to France where he presents himself to John Paul Jones and is appointed a Lieutenant on the Bonhomme Richard.
Writing about the famous battle between Bonhomme Richard and H.M.S. Serapis is yet another problem for Mr. Perry to contend with. It is a sure bet that many of his readers are familiar with the battle and have already even read fictional accounts in other novels. The challenge of describing the fight in a way that grips the readers’ attention and also matching the historical record is enormous, but Mr. Perry achieves this with precise and suspenseful vignettes of several men on each vessel as the event unfolds.
For a new author to rise to the occasion the way Mr. Perry has guarantees his success in the genre and makes readers want to order his second book in the series, Crucible of Tradition: A Sea of Heroes and Traitors. I did and I can’t wait to read it!
Review Copyrighted © 2015 Irwin Bryan
Pirates & Privateers www.cindyvallar.com/pirates.html
There are a number of historical characters introduced to us, some as young men before being inserted later in the story, and others are presented as events take place. We encounter Robert Morris, the administrative and financial Father of the Navy; John Barry as master of a merchant ship before his naval and privateer exploits; Richard Dale who is unsure where his loyalties and naval service should be; and John Paul Jones as mate and passenger aboard merchant vessels.
Then there are also characters needed to serve other roles in the narrative. These include Midshipmen and Lieutenants on both Continental Navy and Royal Navy vessels, as well as those who serve as Warrant officers and sailors. This makes meeting and keeping track of everyone difficult at times. The Kindle book has a List of Characters after the narrative, but I had already finished the book before I knew it was there!
Anyone familiar with the history of the Continental Navy knows there isn’t much action that takes place during the Revolutionary War. Worse still are historical events, such as the raid on Nassau and the Battle of Block Island, which are not complimentary to the Commodores and Captains who participated or even exciting actions in any way.
This makes writing naval fiction about the fledgling navy difficult to say the least. Mr. Perry chooses to just mention these events in historical context and writes instead of the early South Carolina Navy for action worthy of presentation in his book.
The U.S.S. Lexington is the first Continental naval vessel Richard Dale serves aboard, before it is captured and he is taken to Mill Prison. He is able to escape, but is unable to make it out of England before being recaptured. Refusing to sit out the war, he again escapes and is able this time to get to France where he presents himself to John Paul Jones and is appointed a Lieutenant on the Bonhomme Richard.
Writing about the famous battle between Bonhomme Richard and H.M.S. Serapis is yet another problem for Mr. Perry to contend with. It is a sure bet that many of his readers are familiar with the battle and have already even read fictional accounts in other novels. The challenge of describing the fight in a way that grips the readers’ attention and also matching the historical record is enormous, but Mr. Perry achieves this with precise and suspenseful vignettes of several men on each vessel as the event unfolds.
For a new author to rise to the occasion the way Mr. Perry has guarantees his success in the genre and makes readers want to order his second book in the series, Crucible of Tradition: A Sea of Heroes and Traitors. I did and I can’t wait to read it!
Review Copyrighted © 2015 Irwin Bryan
Pirates & Privateers www.cindyvallar.com/pirates.html
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews