Fresh from success in sinking the Albermarle in the Civil War; the young Captain Cushing was assigned to command the gunboat USS Maumee in Hong Kong to aid the restoration of America's naval power in Asia. By linking such aims to British policy; and by courting Chinese and Japanese officials; he succeeded in re-establishing American naval and commercial power in the Far East. In his letters to his fiancee; he brilliantly recorded his travels and observations of people and places (and the difficulties of reconciling his naval career with his devotion to her; whom he married in 1870).
#1969227 in Books 2012-01-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.80 x .90 x 6.90l; 1.35 #File Name: 0786462760348 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A history of the Knox TrailBy Jonathan A. HayesThis is basically a local history - with all the virtues and faults that entails. The author is a local person and has an intimate knowledge of the physical geography of the Trail. That's a welcome perspective you wouldn't get from an outside academic.In spite of the title; this is really a history of the Great Trail. Henry Knox had only one connection with it; but that was the crucial one of bringing the cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston at the start of the Revolution. The author gives a great description of this trek which was an amazing feat - the cannon were transported on sledges and there needed to be enough snow for the sledges to move properly.Most of the book is on the prior and subsequent history of the trail; from the initial Indian tracks through the French and Indian Wars and the Revolution - all of which were significant. The local historian comes through with minutia about locations of various early houses and stopping places; which one may or may not be interested in.If you have any interest in Revolutionary and pre-Revolutionary New England; this book will be a valuable addition to your library.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good source of local history of events along the "Knox ...By SagamoreGood source of local history of events along the "Knox Trail" in the Berkshires. Well researched with lots of anecdotes concerning the trail. Not as much content about Henry Knox. This is a little misleading since Knox is featured prominently on the cover. The one major failing from my perspective is the almost complete lack of maps of the trail. One of the main thrusts of the book is discovering the actual route of the Knox Trail and the Indian Trail that precedes it. The authors reference to locations not shown or hard to find on Google or USGS maps make it difficult to follow unless you happen to be a local.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great piece of here to for missing history!By peter cameronI purchased the book because I am interested in the history of the area involved. For those who do not know the area they might not relate as well to it. It does a great job of detailing n important but overlooked part of our Countries history.
