( 2 reviews )
-
Posted: May 24 2009
Although I am tempted to lower my rating to four stars for the author's penchant for repeating himself unnecessarily, his coverage of the scanty documentary record on Decatur is the most scholarly and complete that I have read. Other works are available for the general audience (such as emphasizing his famous saying, "Our country ... may she always be right, but our country, right or wrong." There was much more to Decatur than that, and author Tucker brings it out. His service against the Barbary priates at the beginning of the 19th century caused him to become the youngest captain in American naval history. And his promotion was well-deserved. This is a story that can make every American proud. The hero was fearless almost beyond belief, but his sense of honor proved his undoing and caused his early death. He was also lucky to be in the right place at the right time to have the chance for fame and glory, but he did not fail to take advantage of those lucky opportunities. At all times he was ready to sacrifice himself for his country and his honor, and the reader will be struck by the comparison of Decatur's code and that used by so many venal and unsavory politicians in the US today. Decatur was never too important to risk his life, yet there are members of Congress today who have used that reasoning to avoid military service. Nor did Decatur lie -- in fact there is no known instance of his even dissembling on any issue or in any situation. Even his death as a result of dueling with Captain Barron had a salutary effect in that it caused a national outcry against dueling and led to dueling being outlawed. Although I believe this is the best book on Decatur today, it is by no means a deep discussion of Decatur or thorough presentation of his life. Such a book is probably impossible to write today due to Decatur's leaving behind no personal papers, and his wife did not add significantly to the literature about him following his death. This is a great shame as the American public should be able come to know Decatur as something more than an incredibly brave man of action. Nevertheless, this is the story about a naval hero who almost uniquely in the annals of American naval history has an almost unblemished record of aggressive action and unqualified success. I highly recommend this book to all readers -- particularly to those with an interest in the American military and naval history.
-
( 2 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 21 2005
Each period of history has seemed to produce a naval officer that has characterized the period. In the Revolutionary War it was John Paul Jones. In World War II it was Nimitz. During the period around the War of 1812 (which also included combat with the Barbary pirates, it was Stephen Decatur. This is his story, well written, and able to place Decatur in the story of the United States of the time. Decatur entered the navy in 1799 (well after the Revolutionary War) and served until he was killed in a duel in 1820. This was a duel that appears to be even more stupid than most. And the author goes to some effort to describe the failings of their seconds who probably could have prevented the duel from happening. During his brief career, Decatur rose rapidly in the ranks and with a combination of skill and luck was able to do the right thing, in the right place, at the right time. His promotion was fast, and he was the most famous officer of his day. His is quite a story.
