The Shining Sea: David Porter and the Epic Voyage of the U.S.S. Essex during the War of 1812
Providence Journal“The Shining Seais more than simply the story of one captain and one ship. Daughan describes island life in the South Pacific, shipboard diseases, battles for independence in South America, and includes digressions on mutiny and ship repair. In the end, this book is as much history and travelogue as the story of one thrilling voyage.”Roanoke Times“[A]n entertaining and informative biography of David Porter.... Daughan’s account of an ambitious sailor’s rise to power and the price of his hubris is at once a cautionary tale and a fascinating look into the life of a young nation – especially the relationship with England and France.”What Would the Founders Think?“[A] fascinating story.... Daughan tells Porter’s story in a way that takes the reader from admiration to, if not disdain, disappointment in the foibles of a man obsessed with reputation.”Library Journal“Daughan richly describes the Essex’s voyage, including the dangers and privations from the weather, enemy action, crew indiscipline, and the vagaries of handling a wooden ship under sail.... Readers, especially those well versed in naval history and terminology, will revel in this lively and thoroughly researched work covering a cruise on its bicentennial.”City Book Review“[David Porter’s] exploits are legendary, almost unbelievable, andThe Shining Searecounts them with vivid detail and high drama.... This book is the way to learn history. Focusing on David Porter, it also explains the political and cultural environment influencing his actions, and events that led up to and followed the War. The story is meticulously researched, but written with the pace and vivacity of an action thriller, heart-pounding and immersive. Excellent writing, excellent reading; an excellent book.”Edward L. Widmer, author ofArk of the Liberties: America and the World“George Daughan has spun a riveting yarn about David Porter and the extraordinary voyage of the USSEssex.  With verve and historical nuance, the book captures some of the global ambitions of Americans early in our history and tells a Pacific story that would soon echo in the works of Herman Melville.”John Ferling, author ofJefferson and Hamilton: The Rivalry that Forged a Nation“George Daughan has written a riveting seafaring story. With grace and style, he tells the epic and ultimately tragic tale of the South Seas voyage of theEssex, a US Navy frigate, during the War of 1812. The history of theEssex’s seventeen months at sea is captivating in itself, but Daughan succeeds in unraveling the mysteries of sailing ships, naval battles, the lonely life of a ship’s captain, and the fast-changing and often perilous fortunes of mariners. This is wonderful history so well told that it will leave readers with the feeling of running fast on a smooth blue sea.”Robert Middlekauff, author ofThe Glorious Cause: The American Revolution“George C. Daughan has inThe Shining Seawritten another splendid book about the efforts of early American seamen to defend their nation on the world’s oceans. This volume takes up the successes and failures of one of them, David Porter, in the War of 1812. The principal part of the book tells the story of Captain Porter’s voyage around Cape Horn and across the Pacific in an attempt to destroy British naval forces. The great naval captains—Farragut, Decatur, Preble, among others—appear at appropriate points in the story. But it is David Porter and theEssexwho assume the central place in the tale: the climax comes in Valparaiso with the destruction of theEssexand all of Porter’s hopes. Daughan tells the history of theEssex’s disaster as he does all of the sensational happenings on the voyage: with honesty, great skill, and verve.”Lawrence Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and former Assistant Secretary of Defense“For those concerned about military leaders who put their personal glory and ambition ahead of the interest of the nation and their subordinates, George Daughan’s analysis of Navy Captain David Porter’s seventeen-month deployment of the USSEssexis a must read.  Daughan shows how Captain Porter’s outsized ambitions and hubris led to the loss of the Essex and two-thirds of his crew.”