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A Rage for Glory: The Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN
Stephen Decatur was one of the most awe-inspiring officers of the entire Age of Fighting Sail. A real-life American naval hero in the early nineteenth century, he led an astonishing life, and his remarkable acts of courage in combat made him one of the most celebrated figures of his era.Decatur's dazzling exploits in the Barbary Wars propelled him to national prominence at the age of twenty-five. His dramatic capture of HMS Macedonian in the War of 1812, and his subsequent naval and diplomatic triumphs in the Mediterranean, secured his permanent place in the hearts of his countrymen. Handsome, dashing, and fearless, his crews worshipped him, presidents lionized him, and an adoring public heaped fresh honors on him with each new achievement.James Tertius de Kay is one of our foremost naval historians. In A Rage for Glory, the first new biography of Decatur in almost seventy years, he recounts Decatur's life in vivid colors. Drawing on material unavailable to previous biographers, he traces the origins of Decatur's fierce patriotism ("My country...right or wrong!"), chronicles Decatur's passionate love affair with Susan Wheeler, and provides new details of Decatur's tragic death in a senseless duel of honor, secretly instigated by the backroom machinations of jealous fellow officers determined to ruin him. His death left official Washington in such shock that his funeral became a state occasion, attended by friends who included former President James Madison, current President James Monroe, Chief Justice John Marshall, and ten thousand more. Decatur's short but crowded life was an astonishing epic of hubris, romance, and high achievement. Only a handful of Americans since his time have ever come close to matching his extraordinary glamour and brilliance.
237 pages, Hardcover
First published December 30, 2003
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101 people want to read
About the author
James Tertius de Kay
16 books13 followersJames Tertius deKay is also the author of Monitor: The Story of the Legendary Civil War Ironclad and the Man Whose Invention Changed the Course of History and Chronicles of the Frigate Macedonian. He lives in Stonington, Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 21, 2015
I knew virtually nothing about Stephen Decatur when I picked up this book. Now he is one of my favorite Americans. His swashbuckling and derring-do would be the envy of Robert Louis Stevenson protagonists. He makes for an entertaining subject and the author is more than up to the job. The man climbed aboard a captive American ship in an enemy harbor in native dress, detonated it, then ran for his life and outsailed the enemy’s entire fleet in a mad dash to safety. He leapt from his ship to battle the captain of another ship who had killed his brother, eventually killing him, but not before his crew performed incredible heroics to save him. He terrorized the British through the War of 1812 (and, judging by what I read in the book about the War of 1812, may well have kept the entire conflict afloat by his actions), to the point that they dedicated almost a dozen boats to just penning him in at harbor… for a year!
Later as the advance echelon of a much larger fleet to the Mediterranean sent to punish three of the North African pirate states, He managed to pacify and force the surrender of all three states before the main fleet even arrived six weeks later. This lead to the quintessential Decatur moment: having forced the bashaw of Algiers to surrender, his single ship ran into a group of 7 Algerian ships. Their captain demanded to know where Decatur was heading, without, as was the custom, identifying himself. Miffed at the breach in etiquette, particularly from a vanquished foe, Decatur grabbed the megaphone from the ship’s signalman and yelled impudently in the Italian patois that ruled the Mediterranean- “Dove mi piace!” “”I go where I please!”. The ships sailed off, and the phrase became a symbol of the fledgling country’s newfound sense of self.
Decatur was never elected to office, though he was close friends with more than one sitting president. His renown forced him to a desk job (promotion being the curse of the great soldiers and sailors for all time), and he ran the Board of the Navy. The author certainly makes it seem like Decatur would have run for President, and the time for him would have been Andrew Jackson’s era, creating an interesting what if. Tragically, he died in a meaningless duel with a shamed old man and former friend, felled just as his star could have risen on a political stage. The greatest tragedy, however, is that he did not have children and thus beget more spectacular Americans to spread that particularly American brand of audacity in the face of the impossible across the world.
Fun book, fun read, incredible story.
Owen Gardner Finnegan
Later as the advance echelon of a much larger fleet to the Mediterranean sent to punish three of the North African pirate states, He managed to pacify and force the surrender of all three states before the main fleet even arrived six weeks later. This lead to the quintessential Decatur moment: having forced the bashaw of Algiers to surrender, his single ship ran into a group of 7 Algerian ships. Their captain demanded to know where Decatur was heading, without, as was the custom, identifying himself. Miffed at the breach in etiquette, particularly from a vanquished foe, Decatur grabbed the megaphone from the ship’s signalman and yelled impudently in the Italian patois that ruled the Mediterranean- “Dove mi piace!” “”I go where I please!”. The ships sailed off, and the phrase became a symbol of the fledgling country’s newfound sense of self.
Decatur was never elected to office, though he was close friends with more than one sitting president. His renown forced him to a desk job (promotion being the curse of the great soldiers and sailors for all time), and he ran the Board of the Navy. The author certainly makes it seem like Decatur would have run for President, and the time for him would have been Andrew Jackson’s era, creating an interesting what if. Tragically, he died in a meaningless duel with a shamed old man and former friend, felled just as his star could have risen on a political stage. The greatest tragedy, however, is that he did not have children and thus beget more spectacular Americans to spread that particularly American brand of audacity in the face of the impossible across the world.
Fun book, fun read, incredible story.
Owen Gardner Finnegan
November 15, 2012
I never had so much fun in the vast ocean of battle. Tantalizing my curiosity, the story of this mans life was amazingly enjoyable. The title caught me and the more its meaning was pondered throughout the book I realized no other title could have possibly been more symbolic of this mans life.
When reviewing this book its major benefits lean on its FEROCITY, INTRIGUE and ADMIRATION. Ferocity is stated in respect of the amazing ships (war ships were called “frigates”). Intrigue is developed in the ornate political hurdles surmounted of the prizes and honor in dueling. Admiration in respect to relationship Decauter had with his crew and power he portrayed in passing with or the most famous admiral of the Algerian armada.
FEROCITY- In the book you learn of the developments of advanced technology of ship making for that time, which enabled America to finally retaliate against Tripoli and the British. Two monsters of the ocean that commanded whatever they pleased. At one heart wrenching point the British blockaded the American fleets into a bay that they could not escape from. The Frigates with massive guns by the dozens were described in such beautiful detail you almost feel the shots go off in the midst of battle. The men worked like army ants unrelenting in their pursuit for mastery of the ocean. The first personal tale of Decatur’s grappling with the enemy will stick in your mind like the piercing of a hornet on your forehead.
INTRIGUE- A prize was defined as a ship obtained from the enemy that is refitted for battle to the Americans. This ship cost is paid to the sailors as money. Although the implication of certain clauses prevented a seemingly reasonable payout, the prize had to be dealt with creative strategy that Decatur artfully learned. The intrigue in the honor of these men was at first ridiculous but at second thought impressive. When you began to understand the code and the basis for its purpose you begin to admire the paradox a society of men who are born to fight and at the same time respectable gentleman. The even begins with Decatur’s Duel with Baron something or other. He was killed in a similar way as Alexander Hamilton in the respect that his killer was unfounded in his accusations, intentionally egging on Decatur pride with devils creeping over his shoulder to assist in plots to steal the glory.
ADMIRATION- Before Decatur’s conquest to glory he learned how to win the hearts of his crew. His words lifted them to action with zeal and made sure he led the way. For example, he usually did not steer the ship because he preferred to evaluate more through his looking glass, strategize and lead the plunder of to obtain his prize. He made powerful quotations such as his famous toast sic[ Let America Win in battle, when in the right, or in the wrong]. My favorite was actually interpreted from Italian after the Apogee of his career forcing the Tripoli to sign a treaty ceasing any more tribute to an ungrateful pirate like clan. When Decatur left Tripoli in an age where word does not travel very fast due to the lack of a cell phone or even telegraph he came across an Algerian Admiral from Tripoli who had an armada large enough to run Decatur through with out a problem. The admiral stated “Dove N Donde”- Where do you go? and Decatur replied “Donde Me Piachi- I go where I please.” The admiral turned away in rebuff sailing away as a lion would when confronted by a bigger lion.
This book is well worth every moment on my commute to work.
When reviewing this book its major benefits lean on its FEROCITY, INTRIGUE and ADMIRATION. Ferocity is stated in respect of the amazing ships (war ships were called “frigates”). Intrigue is developed in the ornate political hurdles surmounted of the prizes and honor in dueling. Admiration in respect to relationship Decauter had with his crew and power he portrayed in passing with or the most famous admiral of the Algerian armada.
FEROCITY- In the book you learn of the developments of advanced technology of ship making for that time, which enabled America to finally retaliate against Tripoli and the British. Two monsters of the ocean that commanded whatever they pleased. At one heart wrenching point the British blockaded the American fleets into a bay that they could not escape from. The Frigates with massive guns by the dozens were described in such beautiful detail you almost feel the shots go off in the midst of battle. The men worked like army ants unrelenting in their pursuit for mastery of the ocean. The first personal tale of Decatur’s grappling with the enemy will stick in your mind like the piercing of a hornet on your forehead.
INTRIGUE- A prize was defined as a ship obtained from the enemy that is refitted for battle to the Americans. This ship cost is paid to the sailors as money. Although the implication of certain clauses prevented a seemingly reasonable payout, the prize had to be dealt with creative strategy that Decatur artfully learned. The intrigue in the honor of these men was at first ridiculous but at second thought impressive. When you began to understand the code and the basis for its purpose you begin to admire the paradox a society of men who are born to fight and at the same time respectable gentleman. The even begins with Decatur’s Duel with Baron something or other. He was killed in a similar way as Alexander Hamilton in the respect that his killer was unfounded in his accusations, intentionally egging on Decatur pride with devils creeping over his shoulder to assist in plots to steal the glory.
ADMIRATION- Before Decatur’s conquest to glory he learned how to win the hearts of his crew. His words lifted them to action with zeal and made sure he led the way. For example, he usually did not steer the ship because he preferred to evaluate more through his looking glass, strategize and lead the plunder of to obtain his prize. He made powerful quotations such as his famous toast sic[ Let America Win in battle, when in the right, or in the wrong]. My favorite was actually interpreted from Italian after the Apogee of his career forcing the Tripoli to sign a treaty ceasing any more tribute to an ungrateful pirate like clan. When Decatur left Tripoli in an age where word does not travel very fast due to the lack of a cell phone or even telegraph he came across an Algerian Admiral from Tripoli who had an armada large enough to run Decatur through with out a problem. The admiral stated “Dove N Donde”- Where do you go? and Decatur replied “Donde Me Piachi- I go where I please.” The admiral turned away in rebuff sailing away as a lion would when confronted by a bigger lion.
This book is well worth every moment on my commute to work.
May 19, 2016
I started this book while doing 80 MPH down I-15 in Utah, downloading it to my phone with a weak data plan. I was being bored to tears by the audio boo "The Specials" by Scott Westerfeld...it got interesting (and I finished it), but this book never got boring.
I decided after listening to YA audio The New Nation: 1789-1850 by Joy Hakim it said
paraphrase"...Steven Decatur was a great man and we only have a short space for him in this book. If you want to Learn More About Steven Decatur ...there are many books about him" As I was driving near Decatur Georgia I decided I needed to know more about it (DeKalb might be later)
What makes me sad about this book is that he lived such a short life and died in a stupid way.. in a duel. He didn't want to duel but was bound by honor his Navy Honor even though the jerk (Cry baby Barron boo hoo) who called him out who didn't die from his wounds.
He died too young, and he and his wife had no children...so no posterity. At the end of the book it is hypothesizes had Steven Decatur survived his injuries, he could have been A Senator, Governor maybe even President...he was headed there.
I listed to this on recorded book and it was well narrated by John McDonough . What I wish One Click digital would have told me was the interview at the end. It isn't listed as a chapter or author interview...I was busy and didn't get right to stopping the program when I heard "THE END" and Then I get to hear a great interview given by John McDonough with James Tertius de Kay.
Mr de Kay thought that Steven Decatur might have been dyslexic --back then you just didn't over come it or you did and just figured it out!
Mr de Kay is dyslexic and left handed (wrote a book about it S.B.D. Dear) He thought that most people with dyslexia are left handed (fascinating...my dad was left handed and probably had dyslexia).. he thought that Steven Decatur might have been left handed but in his day and age, you weren't left handed, and adapted to being right handed!!
All sort of great details and gems! Well worth it!
What James Tertius de Kay should I read next?
I decided after listening to YA audio The New Nation: 1789-1850 by Joy Hakim it said
paraphrase"...Steven Decatur was a great man and we only have a short space for him in this book. If you want to Learn More About Steven Decatur ...there are many books about him" As I was driving near Decatur Georgia I decided I needed to know more about it (DeKalb might be later)
What makes me sad about this book is that he lived such a short life and died in a stupid way.. in a duel. He didn't want to duel but was bound by honor his Navy Honor even though the jerk (Cry baby Barron boo hoo) who called him out who didn't die from his wounds.
He died too young, and he and his wife had no children...so no posterity. At the end of the book it is hypothesizes had Steven Decatur survived his injuries, he could have been A Senator, Governor maybe even President...he was headed there.
I listed to this on recorded book and it was well narrated by John McDonough . What I wish One Click digital would have told me was the interview at the end. It isn't listed as a chapter or author interview...I was busy and didn't get right to stopping the program when I heard "THE END" and Then I get to hear a great interview given by John McDonough with James Tertius de Kay.
Mr de Kay thought that Steven Decatur might have been dyslexic --back then you just didn't over come it or you did and just figured it out!
Mr de Kay is dyslexic and left handed (wrote a book about it S.B.D. Dear) He thought that most people with dyslexia are left handed (fascinating...my dad was left handed and probably had dyslexia).. he thought that Steven Decatur might have been left handed but in his day and age, you weren't left handed, and adapted to being right handed!!
All sort of great details and gems! Well worth it!
What James Tertius de Kay should I read next?
June 29, 2018
James Tertius de Kay has written a balanced and stimulating account of a national hero from the early formative years of the U.S. Navy and the country. Although admiring Stephen Decatur for bravery and leadership skills, de Kay notes that the time and the man were known for “occasional hubris” (p. 11). De Kay describes the values upon which the U.S. Navy was founded—honor, fame, and glory—and indicates the underside of these secular values. One of the downsides is that Stephen Decatur died in an illegal duel to defend his honor and the honor of the navy. His wife Susan Wheeler Decatur was devastated by his death. De Kay indicates that she was “the last, and in many ways the most tragic, victim of Stephen Decatur’s stubborn effort to protect the honor of the navy” (p. 210). De Kay notes that the worldly value of glory “was antithetical to its Christian meaning” (p. 27). He reports that Decatur was only a “nominal” Episcopalian, despite his mother’s best efforts to raise him in the faith (p. 13). The hubris was demonstrated when, in 1816, Decatur famously delivered a drunken toast to “Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right, and always successful, right or wrong” (p. 173). The very early beginnings of the United States as a global power began with Stephen Decatur, his fellow naval officers and the presidents who began moving away from George Washington’s hope that our country could stay out of foreign entanglements.
October 10, 2015
"Dove mi piace!" "I go where I please!" It's my new motto in life, so thanks Stephen.
Man, Commodore Stephen Decatur, what a piece of work. What started out as a funny office joke has now expanded to me knowing far more about early US Navy, the Barbary Pirates, the absolute spanking we gave the Royal Navy at the beginning of the War of 1812 and of course Decatur.
The fact that it was accepted practice at one time for men to shot at each other over basically name calling is astonishing. The fact that high ranking government officers knew about the duel between Decatur and another, ANOTHER, Commodore that killed him but did nothing to stop it, incredible.
Aside from all that douchbaggery, the author does a great job sticking to the facts, not that Decatur's life needs embellishing to be exciting, dude blew up a ship, in costume, in an enemy port. But de Kay's praise of Decatur is at times a effusive and somewhat biased toward the positive. There is very little criticism of Decatur's tactics, actions and correspondence, especially at the end when he basically let a disgraced, fellow naval commander draw him into a pointless duel. Like I really wish Decatur was still around so I could ask him, really dude, really?
Anywho highly enjoyable listen for fans of Eric Larson, C.S. Forester and all things nautical.
"Dove mi piace!"
Man, Commodore Stephen Decatur, what a piece of work. What started out as a funny office joke has now expanded to me knowing far more about early US Navy, the Barbary Pirates, the absolute spanking we gave the Royal Navy at the beginning of the War of 1812 and of course Decatur.
The fact that it was accepted practice at one time for men to shot at each other over basically name calling is astonishing. The fact that high ranking government officers knew about the duel between Decatur and another, ANOTHER, Commodore that killed him but did nothing to stop it, incredible.
Aside from all that douchbaggery, the author does a great job sticking to the facts, not that Decatur's life needs embellishing to be exciting, dude blew up a ship, in costume, in an enemy port. But de Kay's praise of Decatur is at times a effusive and somewhat biased toward the positive. There is very little criticism of Decatur's tactics, actions and correspondence, especially at the end when he basically let a disgraced, fellow naval commander draw him into a pointless duel. Like I really wish Decatur was still around so I could ask him, really dude, really?
Anywho highly enjoyable listen for fans of Eric Larson, C.S. Forester and all things nautical.
"Dove mi piace!"
October 1, 2015
"Dove mi piace!"
"I go where I please!" It's my new motto in life, so thanks Stephen.
Man, Commodore Stephen Decatur, what a piece of work. What started out as a funny office joke has now expanded to me knowing far more about early US Navy, the Barbary Pirates, the absolute spanking we gave the Royal Navy at the beginning of the War of 1812 and of course Decatur.
The fact that it was accepted practice at one time for men to shot at each other over basically name calling is astonishing. The fact that high ranking government officers knew about the duel between Decatur and another, ANOTHER, Commodore that killed him but did nothing to stop it, incredible.
Aside from all that douchbaggery, the author does a great job sticking to the facts, not that Decatur's life needs embellishing to be exciting, dude blew up a ship, in costume, in an enemy port. But de Kay's praise of Decatur is at times a effusive and somewhat biased toward the positive. There is very little criticism of Decatur's tactics, actions and correspondence, especially at the end when he basically let a disgraced, fellow naval commander draw him into a pointless duel. Like I really wish Decatur was still around so I could ask him, really dude, really?
Anywho highly enjoyable listen for fans of Eric Larson, C.S. Forester and all things nautical.
"Dove mi piace!"(Amanda)
"I go where I please!" It's my new motto in life, so thanks Stephen.
Man, Commodore Stephen Decatur, what a piece of work. What started out as a funny office joke has now expanded to me knowing far more about early US Navy, the Barbary Pirates, the absolute spanking we gave the Royal Navy at the beginning of the War of 1812 and of course Decatur.
The fact that it was accepted practice at one time for men to shot at each other over basically name calling is astonishing. The fact that high ranking government officers knew about the duel between Decatur and another, ANOTHER, Commodore that killed him but did nothing to stop it, incredible.
Aside from all that douchbaggery, the author does a great job sticking to the facts, not that Decatur's life needs embellishing to be exciting, dude blew up a ship, in costume, in an enemy port. But de Kay's praise of Decatur is at times a effusive and somewhat biased toward the positive. There is very little criticism of Decatur's tactics, actions and correspondence, especially at the end when he basically let a disgraced, fellow naval commander draw him into a pointless duel. Like I really wish Decatur was still around so I could ask him, really dude, really?
Anywho highly enjoyable listen for fans of Eric Larson, C.S. Forester and all things nautical.
"Dove mi piace!"(Amanda)
March 11, 2019
Decatur was a pivotal--and hugely famous--naval officer during the early days of the American republic. Having lived in one his several (many?) namesake towns for five months, I owed it to him to learn more about his life.
de Kay writes compellingly and clearly regarding naval actions and the machinations that led to Stephen Decatur dying in a duel. I confess that I enjoyed the naval action better than the other parts, but both were represented proportionately and both aspects are required to support the thesis that the author embeds in the title of the book.
Recommended for those interested in the age of fighting sail.
de Kay writes compellingly and clearly regarding naval actions and the machinations that led to Stephen Decatur dying in a duel. I confess that I enjoyed the naval action better than the other parts, but both were represented proportionately and both aspects are required to support the thesis that the author embeds in the title of the book.
Recommended for those interested in the age of fighting sail.
August 27, 2016
The audio book is read by John McDonough, one of my favorite readers. This is a biography of
Stephen Decatur. This is a quote from Good Reads "Stephen Decatur was one of the most awe-inspiring officers of the entire Age of Fighting Sail. A real-life American naval hero in the early nineteenth century, he led an astonishing life, and his remarkable acts of courage in combat made him one of the most celebrated figures of his era." I learned alot about the formation of the
United States Navy and a great man.
Stephen Decatur. This is a quote from Good Reads "Stephen Decatur was one of the most awe-inspiring officers of the entire Age of Fighting Sail. A real-life American naval hero in the early nineteenth century, he led an astonishing life, and his remarkable acts of courage in combat made him one of the most celebrated figures of his era." I learned alot about the formation of the
United States Navy and a great man.
October 8, 2015
Encountered a reference to this book in a more recent book about the Barbary Wars. Wow - fantastic book! A great story, a great biography, and great history. Recommended to just about anyone, and a text I'll read again.
December 20, 2010
This was one of the most engaging stories I've read in a long time. Not only was it well written, but the events depicted in this man's life were almost unbelievable. Once again, truth is stranger than fiction! (I recommend as audio CD for folks with a long drive ahead of them.)
July 13, 2012
Great book on an American hero that so few Americans even know about. Shame, as his exploits in the burning of the Philadelphia are amazing.
The capture of the Macedonian, is a thing of legend.
I recommend this book highly. Read it and learn something.
The capture of the Macedonian, is a thing of legend.
I recommend this book highly. Read it and learn something.
November 19, 2009
My husband's favorite historical person. An amazing man; he pulled such crazy stunts that I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't taken advantage of his story.
March 9, 2010
An excellent account of a fascinating figure in America's early naval history.
February 28, 2010
Great book about a great man
September 10, 2012
This man's life reads like a tragic novel. If you are interested in the age of fighting sail and the men that made the era famous (Nelson, Cochrane, etc.) then this a must read.
September 22, 2013
Very readable little book about a great character of American naval history by a noted naval historian. I would also recommend his book on the USS Monitor as well.
November 8, 2017
A powerful tribute to the brilliant career of Admiral/Commodore Stephen Decatur. War heroes are only human and Decatur is a prime example of tragedies in one's own life.
October 2, 2018
Very engaging tale for a biography.
Such a shame his life ended so tragically. In an era of war heroes (Jackson, Tyler, Harrison, etc.) he would have been president for certain.
Such a shame his life ended so tragically. In an era of war heroes (Jackson, Tyler, Harrison, etc.) he would have been president for certain.
June 16, 2022
Born near Berlin, Maryland on the eastern shore and raised in Philadelphia, Stephen Decatur in his lifetime, in the early 19th century, was the equivalent of a mixture of a super bowl mvp winning QB-action movie star-gold metal olympian-mma fighter-plus the guy that killed osama bin laden mixed with that guy the movie American sniper was about. He was the ultimate American hero at the time and well deserved.
After an American ship was seized off the Barbary coast he snuck in under the cover of darkness, disguised his whole crew in native garb, boarded the ship through cunning and trickery, defeated the crew in hand to hand combat, and set the ship ablaze that the young American navy would not have to suffer the embarrassment of a band of pirates using our own ship against us and watched it explode and drift to port as they sailed away.
He won sea battle after sea battle, defying the odds against a much superior British navy while the American navy was still in its infancy. Commandeering British war ships through sheer bravery. Went back to the Barbary coast after the war of 1812 when the pirates seeking to take advantage after Americas recent war and continue their methods of extortion. He completely annihilates one ship, takes them all prisoner, takes over another ship takes them all prisoner, 500 prisoners and two warships to use as bargaining chips. He then basically intimidates the entire Barbary coast into signing a peace treaty and forcing them to allow Americas free roam of trade without molestation. This through great seamanship, force, intimidation and diplomacy, achieving what no European force could at the time.
His life ends tragically through a feud with an old friend in a duel and he dies. Duels were huge in the early navy due to the sense of “honor” leading to everyone in the navy having the thinnest skin on earth and “demanding satisfaction” left and right through the method of shooting at each other over the smallest slights. His death is followed by a public mourning not seen again until the death of Abraham Lincoln some 43 years later.
This book was great, quick read, page turner, and you really get a sense of how huge of a hero Commodore Decatur was in his time. Who knows what kind of impact he could have had if he didn’t cling so hardly to his sense of “honor” in agreeing to the duel that ended his life. However it very well could be that same sense of honor that motivated him in taking the chances he did to achieve the great, brave, heroic acts he accomplished.
After an American ship was seized off the Barbary coast he snuck in under the cover of darkness, disguised his whole crew in native garb, boarded the ship through cunning and trickery, defeated the crew in hand to hand combat, and set the ship ablaze that the young American navy would not have to suffer the embarrassment of a band of pirates using our own ship against us and watched it explode and drift to port as they sailed away.
He won sea battle after sea battle, defying the odds against a much superior British navy while the American navy was still in its infancy. Commandeering British war ships through sheer bravery. Went back to the Barbary coast after the war of 1812 when the pirates seeking to take advantage after Americas recent war and continue their methods of extortion. He completely annihilates one ship, takes them all prisoner, takes over another ship takes them all prisoner, 500 prisoners and two warships to use as bargaining chips. He then basically intimidates the entire Barbary coast into signing a peace treaty and forcing them to allow Americas free roam of trade without molestation. This through great seamanship, force, intimidation and diplomacy, achieving what no European force could at the time.
His life ends tragically through a feud with an old friend in a duel and he dies. Duels were huge in the early navy due to the sense of “honor” leading to everyone in the navy having the thinnest skin on earth and “demanding satisfaction” left and right through the method of shooting at each other over the smallest slights. His death is followed by a public mourning not seen again until the death of Abraham Lincoln some 43 years later.
This book was great, quick read, page turner, and you really get a sense of how huge of a hero Commodore Decatur was in his time. Who knows what kind of impact he could have had if he didn’t cling so hardly to his sense of “honor” in agreeing to the duel that ended his life. However it very well could be that same sense of honor that motivated him in taking the chances he did to achieve the great, brave, heroic acts he accomplished.
September 28, 2024
For naval men in the early 1800’s “a good death was as important as life itself.” I enjoyed the telling of the life and times of Steven Decatur one of the US Navy's greatest leaders. This is a quick and interesting read. I wish that the editing was consistent throughout the book as in Chapter 12 Captain Carden was Captain Carden was referred to a referred to as Garden and Lieutenant Allen as Alien a number of times.
February 28, 2024
A brief but interesting and engaging biography of Decatur, aimed at the general reader.
The narrative is brief but fast-paced and easy to read, and the level of detail is pretty general for the most part. The main themes de Kay emphasizes are Decatur’s pursuit of honor and fame and his personal vendettas. He does a good job describing the culture of honor and the big role played by dueling. The discussion of his duel with Barron is pretty detailed, and he suggests that it was mostly engineered by Jesse Elliott.
Some more maps would have helped, though, and maybe a glossary as well. Some may find the citations unstisfactory. The book also seems a bit hagiographic at times, and does speculate a bit without always backing these up.
Still, a compelling, well-researched and insightful work.
The narrative is brief but fast-paced and easy to read, and the level of detail is pretty general for the most part. The main themes de Kay emphasizes are Decatur’s pursuit of honor and fame and his personal vendettas. He does a good job describing the culture of honor and the big role played by dueling. The discussion of his duel with Barron is pretty detailed, and he suggests that it was mostly engineered by Jesse Elliott.
Some more maps would have helped, though, and maybe a glossary as well. Some may find the citations unstisfactory. The book also seems a bit hagiographic at times, and does speculate a bit without always backing these up.
Still, a compelling, well-researched and insightful work.
September 29, 2014
Fantastic and tragic.
Overdrive MVLC.
Overdrive MVLC.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews