Six Frigates
by Ian W. Toll · first published 2006
8mentions
4recommended by
5HN commenters
2012–2024first – last mentioned
80% recommend20% neutral
Starting in the Adams administration and continuing through to the end of the War of 1812, Six Frigates is a well researched and very readable history of the Navy of the United States. Begun in the shadow of the British Royal Navy that was thought to be unbeatable, the American Navy faced challenges of every kind. The navy grew as the country grew, by fits and starts, by rising to challenges (The Barbary pirates, Britain and France) and learning from mistakes. Toll's narrative covers the political, economic, social and technical challenges that faced shipbuilders, sailors, captains and cong
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I highly recommend the book "Six Frigates" by Ian Toll that talks about this time period. It's a highly readable and interesting story of the US' at the time tiny navy, that actually did very well for itself in the war of 1812 against the dominant…
on “New England Almost Seceded over the War of 1812 (2012)” ↗You would probably enjoy “Six Frigates” by Ian Toll and “Black Hawk Down” by Mark Bowden.
on “Napoleon’s Equine Strategy in 1813 (2013)” ↗The US war with those states features in this book about the founding of the US navy. Interesting read. "Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy" - https://www.amazon.com/Six-Frigates-Epic-History-Founding/dp...
on “Barbary Pirates and English Slaves (2017)” ↗…unplug for much more of the day than you think, #3 a good book wouldn’t hurt, #4 you need to learn more about history than you think — a good book that explores the topic of mob mentality in US politics is Six Frigates by Ian W Toll. You literally won’t believe how the period between the revolutionary war and the war of 1812 mirrors modern day until you read this, #5, have some empathy for other people regardless…
on “Ask HN: How do we stop the polarization/toxicicity filling the web?” ↗…http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UG9JFQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... - a book about copy writing. Not great so far, but something I could stand to learn more about. Other recommendations in this vein would be welcome! Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W5MINK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... - in time for the 200th anniversary of the war of 1812. Very interesting, and lots…
on “Ask HN: Summer reading” ↗Six Frigates is an excellent book about the origins of the U.S. Navy. It also gives a little insight into how quickly Britain and the U.S. aligned themselves, helped in part by the French Revolution.
on “Why George Washington's Statue in London Doesn't Touch British Soil” ↗…desire not to have a Navy and the problems being caused by pirates presented interesting arguments for both sides. The conflict generated the conditions to build the 6 frigates. http://www.amazon.com/Six-Frigates-Epic-History-Founding/dp/...
on “The Financial Sector Is the Greatest Parasite in Human History” ↗Six Frigates by Ian W. Toll 1812: The Navy's War by George C. Daughan and the history of the Naval Act of 1794
on “Two Decades of War Have Eroded the Morale of America’s Troops” ↗