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Our Country, Right or Wrong: The Life of Stephen Decatur, the U.S. Navy's Most Illustrious Commander
Blazing sea fights and undercurrents of these are among the compelling ingredients of a biography that brings to life the most illustrious and formidable figure of the United States Navy. His name is carried by more than two dozen towns and cities. Here at last is a full exploration of Stephen Decatur's complex character. Reckless in youth, cool yet audacious in combat, loved by those who sailed under his command yet plotted against by rivals in the race for glory, Decatur is brought to life in this enthralling sea story.
Decatur's heroism became widespread news in 1804 when, sent to reclaim a captured U.S. vessel from Tripoli in the Barbary Wars, he ordered his men to set fire to the captured vessel and proceed to attack the sailors of the Tripoli fleet in hand-to-hand combat. His brilliance continued through the War of 1812, after which he was promoted to the highest naval rank of Commodore.
Decatur not only proved dauntless on the quarterdeck but amazingly effective in Mediterranean diplomacy. His spectacular dealings with Islamic powers presaged America's twenty-first century involvement in the region.
Readers will also learn the identity of the woman he forsook for a sophisticated beauty pursued by suitors as varied as Napoleon Bonaparte's younger brother and Aaron Burr. Through freshly discovered documents, many official, some intensely personal, biographer Leonard Guttridge traces the elements that sped Decatur inexorably into the shadow of murder.
Here, at last, is the full story of the man who raised the most memorable toasts in the history of American celebrations, when he declared in 1816 "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong!"
Decatur's heroism became widespread news in 1804 when, sent to reclaim a captured U.S. vessel from Tripoli in the Barbary Wars, he ordered his men to set fire to the captured vessel and proceed to attack the sailors of the Tripoli fleet in hand-to-hand combat. His brilliance continued through the War of 1812, after which he was promoted to the highest naval rank of Commodore.
Decatur not only proved dauntless on the quarterdeck but amazingly effective in Mediterranean diplomacy. His spectacular dealings with Islamic powers presaged America's twenty-first century involvement in the region.
Readers will also learn the identity of the woman he forsook for a sophisticated beauty pursued by suitors as varied as Napoleon Bonaparte's younger brother and Aaron Burr. Through freshly discovered documents, many official, some intensely personal, biographer Leonard Guttridge traces the elements that sped Decatur inexorably into the shadow of murder.
Here, at last, is the full story of the man who raised the most memorable toasts in the history of American celebrations, when he declared in 1816 "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong!"
314 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 19, 2025
A clear and readable biography.
Guttridge describes Decatur’s heroic status in his own time, his associations with American presidents and celebrities. The narrative moves along at a quick pace. The descriptions of the battles are pretty vivid. Decatur’s humanity shines through, showing his ruthlessness, his heated rivalries, his courage and audacity as a naval officer, his life as a devoted husband, and his rigid sense of duty.
Any biography of Decatur or his contemporaries has to cover the subject of dueling, and Guttridge does a good job explaining this culture. “Never legalized, it was mostly indulged in among the young and was sometimes conducted with such elaboration as to appear, certainly from future perspectives, as murderous displays of absurdity.”
There’s a few minor errors, like saying that Decatur burned the Philadelphia in Tripoli in 1807. Some of the points are a little repetitive. The book could also have used more maps. Still, a solid, engaging work.
Guttridge describes Decatur’s heroic status in his own time, his associations with American presidents and celebrities. The narrative moves along at a quick pace. The descriptions of the battles are pretty vivid. Decatur’s humanity shines through, showing his ruthlessness, his heated rivalries, his courage and audacity as a naval officer, his life as a devoted husband, and his rigid sense of duty.
Any biography of Decatur or his contemporaries has to cover the subject of dueling, and Guttridge does a good job explaining this culture. “Never legalized, it was mostly indulged in among the young and was sometimes conducted with such elaboration as to appear, certainly from future perspectives, as murderous displays of absurdity.”
There’s a few minor errors, like saying that Decatur burned the Philadelphia in Tripoli in 1807. Some of the points are a little repetitive. The book could also have used more maps. Still, a solid, engaging work.
September 18, 2018
A very good narritive about Decatur and the early trials of hte US Navy in Tripoli. I did not know much about this historical time period and found the book very entertaining and informative.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of the US Navy or the Barbary Wars in the United States' early years.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of the US Navy or the Barbary Wars in the United States' early years.
March 24, 2018
Well assembled, well told narrative of Decatur and the early US Navy.
November 8, 2022
Really nice Bio of one of the Naval legends. well written and presented. Recommended
March 21, 2008
The first half of this book is somewhat lacking. However the second half and in particular the portion dealing with the events leading up to and surrounding Decatur's famous duel more than make up for the lacking first half.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews