John
Paul Jones: Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy
by Evan Thomas
311
pages (plus Notes, Bibliography and Index); 15 chapters.
Introduction:
"My Desire for Fame Is Infinite"
1. "You Meet a Gentleman"
2."That Great Misfortune"
3. "Proof of Madness"
4. "Determined at All Hazards"
5. "Delicate Notions of Honor"
6. "A Rash Thing"
7. "Officer of Fine Feelings"
8. "Lay It in Ashes" |
9.
"We've Got Her Now!"
10. "No Sooner Seen Than Lost"
11. "Caressed by All the World"
12. "The Gale Still Increasing"
13. "Cover Him With Kisses"
14. "Conquer or Die"
15. "The Ghost of Himself"
Epilogue: "Envy of the World" |
First, this is not a definitive biography of John Paul Jones. It is a good introduction
to the person of John Paul Jones. Mr. Thomas gives the reader glimpses beyond
the legend, but gives only select insights into his personal relationships
with others. He did succeed in convincing this reader that Jones was a complex
man and often a contradiction. The book mostly covers the years during the American
Revolution with a large chunk devoted to the Bonhomme Richard and the
legendary battle with the Serapis. It does, however, also survey both
his origin as ths son of a gardener and his last quest for glory in the Russian
Navy.
Mr. Thomas gives substance to the legend, giving him some humanity, but also
leaves the reader with new questions and mysteries to explore. This reader had
a desire to further explore Jones' character by learning more about his relationships
with those who sailed in and out of his life.
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2000-2008; Scott Cummings, All Rights Reserved. Privacy
Statement.
