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.
#885195 in Books imusti 2015-08-18 2015-08-18Format: International EditionOriginal language:ChinesePDF # 1 6.90 x 1.20 x 4.40l; .99 #File Name: 0141395842544 pagesPENGUIN GROUP
Review
405 of 418 people found the following review helpful. It is a book meant for good.By CustomerI want to tell future readers of this book in this way. I read it first when I was 14 or 15. I thought it was a book on how to smartly fight a war. Then I re-read it when I was 28 and it occurred to me that it may be an instruction book on how to navigate an honorable life. Years passed and I recently found it at the bottom of a box in my closet. I read it again at age 56. I realized it has more to offer. If you read this book; you will actively have to replace Sun Tzus' ancient terms and placement of hierarchy and apply them to modern situations and people. Family; bosses; neighbors; employees and the list goes on. It is my belief that this "manual" can help solve minor and major disruptions in life if used correctly. It is a book meant for good.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Success through the agesBy RitacFlipping through it I glean bits and pieces of an organized mind. I can easily understand why this book has existed for more than 2000 years. My intention is to read it a little at a time so that I absorb some of the philosophy. I am not interested in war but I am interested I how men think and plan; this should be an excellent guidebook.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. GoodBy UnknownOutlines Sun Tzu in plain English. Highly recommended.
