John Paul Jones: Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy

Rating:
Summary: Jones the Human
Review: My prior knowledge of patriot John Paul Jones, and as the author makes clear, he was certainly that, had been limited to the kind of "pure hero" impression one might pick up in a junior high or high school history course (in my case that was about 40 years ago). Thomas, on the other hand, writes not only about Jones' patriotism and heroism, but about the warts, too, and paints a compelling picture of a tragic human being who clearly made a significant contribution in America's fight for independence. Beyond that, the book offers useful insights on the American Revolution generally and other important Revolutionary figures. I have not read other Jones biographies, so I cannot offer comparisons. That having been said, I recommend this book highly. It's well-researched and documented, yet a very quick read. It was hard to put down. Thomas' descriptions of sea battles made me feel like I was there.

Rating:
Summary: Thomas Triumphs as John Paul Jones Sails the Seas!
Review: Pirates in the Caribbean is bringing them in at the movie complex this summer! Benjamin Franklin is renowned as the "Founding Hippie" as walter Isaacson's popular bestseller reigns high in the Amazon heavens!
And now....John Paul Jones! Evan Thomas has done justice the Father of the American Navy who never married or had children
(Jones was a womanizer who never married!). Jones was a Scot
who left home for the dangerous life aboard eighteenth century ships. He was a raider supreme as he attackted British towns and ships on the coast of England and Scotland .
Thomas tells in detail about Jones efforts to build an American Navy during the Revolutionary War; his frustrations with finding funding for the navy from a reluctant congree; his battles with his peers and with the formidable enemy incarnated in the British navy.
Thomas gives us an easy to undersand chornicle of what war was like aboard ship in the age of sail. His account of the battle between HMS Serapis and the Bonhommie Richard (captained by Jones) is a classic portrait of the vicious naval warfare of the violent age.
Jones was a complex character who never flagged in his devotion to the new United States. After the revolutionary war eneded he fought for Catherine the Greek as he led Russian sailors against the Turks. Jones died in poverty in Paris. Today his tomb is at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Evan Thomas is a fine historian and anyone who loves the tales of Patrick O'Brien would enjoy this entertaining, informative and inspiring story of a largely forgotten hero of our early history.

Rating:
Summary: Solid Popular Biography
Review: Rarely has a man of such historical importance been almost exclusively defined by the action of a few hours. To those with an even cursory knowledge of American military history, the legendary figure of John Paul Jones is defined almost exclusively by those few hours where he gallantly battled the superior British firepower aboard the Serapis, shouting the immortal lines "I have not yet begun to fight!". Beyond that in the minds of most people, there is little else. This is a real shame, as Jones is a much more complex and critical historical figure than many have been led to believe. Although some fine biographies have been written about him, especially the Morison book, modern readers have had little to grasp on to. Evan Thomas steps into this void and produces a fairly in-depth and constantly intriguing popular biography of this most complex American hero.

Free from the bonds of generalities and rosy colored history, Jones becomes a much more interesting character than many would think. His early past as a lowly Scottish boy of uncertain ancestry provides a powerful contrast with his future glory. As you learn early in the book, Jones did not have an easy journey throughout life, an almost constant footnote to his career. He seems almost cursed, starting with his strange inability to really command crews, as he was forced to kill a crew member under his command early on in his career. For this infraction, Jones was a fugitive from justice for a number of years. While Jones struggles on, Thomas provides a very good and in-depth study of the mans dynamic but often odd character. He had a mind afire with new ideas concerning naval tactics, but had few avenues for their employment. His chance came as the American colonies declared their independence, and were soon faced with the prospect of having to do battle with the most powerful navy the world had ever seen.

It strikes the reader of this book how lucky America was to actually win the Revolutionary War. Management of the Colonial Navy and the system in which it chose its officers were absolutely criminally incompetent, leading to the dreadful performance of the American Navy in the Revolutionary War. Privateers were much more successful, as they promised limited enlistments and superior profits. Jones, again thrust into a less than fortuitous situation, had to battle for every command, every responsibility, even with his high placed friends such as Ben Franklin. He was derided by many, accused of cowardice by others. However, he was a powerful naval strategist, and was one of the first to understand the nature of this war, that if the British people themselves could be convinced of their own vulnerability, pressure would turn on the government to end the war. To this end, he led a series of daring raids against the British mainland. His name was decried as a pirate, even though Jones was relatively merciful (and unsuccessful) in his attacks. Of course, the attacks brought Jones his greatest glory, as he was forced to face down the powerful British frigate Serapis, a battle which brought him an amazing amount of fame, albeit many year after his death.

Thomas provides this sweeping portrait with an eye towards the narrative. He writes in exciting prose, and no where is this more evident than his description of the epic battle between the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis. Whether or not Jones actually uttered the immortal phrase becomes irrelevant as he led an amazingly courageous defense of his ship. Even with this amazing victory, Jones again was attacked by those who did not understand the nature of his tactics or his broad naval strategy. Thomas reminds the reader of all the painful career choices he was forced to make as he continues his existence as a lonely genius. One of the most interesting parts of the book comes near the end, as Jones little known career as a Russian admiral is described. Poor Jones, I thought, as again he equates himself amazingly well yet is trampled on by those more dedicated to nefarious political schemes than military victory. In the end, Jones dies rather alone and tragically, until his legend was resuscitated by naval writers and politicians such as Theodore Roosevelt.

Evan Thomas has done the American public a great service by writing this well written biography about a relatively unknown figure who contributed so much to the American military. He was one of the first to see that America was extremely well suited to become the worlds foremost seapower, and his doctrine concerning total war is evident all around the world today. His understanding of sea power as the ultimate power arbiter between nations was decades ahead of its time. Internally, he was a thoroughly complex man with many facets and deficiencies, all described in an admirable way by Thomas. A great sea story and fascinating history.

Rating:
Summary: "Officer of Fine Feelings"
Review: The book is very entertaining, due in part to quite a bit of supposition and the occasional sacrifice of objectivity. You will turn the pages. You will long for the days of wooden ships and iron men.

The author paints a very interesting picture of John Paul Jones. He is made out to be somewhat of a manic depressive thrill seeker who, when not within an inch of his life or seducing the wife of a close friend, may be clinically depressed. "Fussy". Very easily slighted. Hypersensitive on issues of personal honor, almost paranoid. An accurate depiction? Who knows.

So you get John Paul Jones, kind of a Heathcliff made good, almost suffocating until he gets his next chance to try and fulfill his death wish. Who is he trying to please and what is he trying to prove?

Stepping back, it's a good period piece as the chapters of his life (and the book) weave through the American and French revolutions and intertwine with quite a few other historic greats.

I ended up very much empathizing with Jones throughout the book. I felt his frustration in trying to get the American Navy off the ground. I felt betrayed and offended as he was betrayed and offended through personal dealings. I have to attribute some of this to fine authorship. Speaking of authorship, I have to say the author is a little harsh on Jones at some points and I thought the books stopped maybe a few too many times to dissect his character flaws. Hey, we're all human, but this man was great. I'd follow him today. I have to strongly disagree with statements in the book's closing about JPJ's fitness for fleet command.

The book follows his life to the very bitter end and, if you become emotionally invested, you'll put it down with bitterness. While the author made a few scholarly discoveries previous biographers had not dug up, he does not resort to TOO much invention either. I almost wish he had made up a plot line for Madame T__'s child or explained the dying prayer (was it salvation at last?). Questions to remain unanswered forever perhaps.

Rating:
Summary: "Officer of Fine Feelings"
Review: The book is very entertaining, due in part to quite a bit of supposition and the occasional sacrifice of objectivity. You will turn the pages. You will long for the days of wooden ships and iron men.

The author paints a very interesting picture of John Paul Jones. He is made out to be somewhat of a manic depressive thrill seeker who, when not within an inch of his life or seducing the wife of a close friend, may be clinically depressed. "Fussy". Very easily slighted. Hypersensitive on issues of personal honor, almost paranoid. An accurate depiction? Who knows.

So you get John Paul Jones, kind of a Heathcliff made good, almost suffocating until he gets his next chance to try and fulfill his death wish. Who is he trying to please and what is he trying to prove?

Stepping back, it's a good period piece as the chapters of his life (and the book) weave through the American and French revolutions and intertwine with quite a few other historic greats.

I ended up very much empathizing with Jones throughout the book. I felt his frustration in trying to get the American Navy off the ground. I felt betrayed and offended as he was betrayed and offended through personal dealings. I have to attribute some of this to fine authorship. Speaking of authorship, I have to say the author is a little harsh on Jones at some points and I thought the books stopped maybe a few too many times to dissect his character flaws. Hey, we're all human, but this man was great. I'd follow him today. I have to strongly disagree with statements in the book's closing about JPJ's fitness for fleet command.

The book follows his life to the very bitter end and, if you become emotionally invested, you'll put it down with bitterness. While the author made a few scholarly discoveries previous biographers had not dug up, he does not resort to TOO much invention either. I almost wish he had made up a plot line for Madame T__'s child or explained the dying prayer (was it salvation at last?). Questions to remain unanswered forever perhaps.

Rating:
Summary: John Paul Jones
Review: The war at sea during the American Revolution is seldom given any recognition. Unlike the War of 1812, there were few dramatic sea engagements, and, unlike the Civil War or World War II, there was little innovation in naval warfare. The exception in both cases is John Paul Jones, considered by many to be the father of the American navy. Evan Thomas's new biography captures Jones in all his complicated glory. His early days in Scotland are described, as are his early struggles in the Continental Navy, his glory days, his service to foreign navies, and his final days in Paris are all given their due. Thomas is a great writer, with a reporter's eye for details. This is a great summer read and would be enjoyed by anyone interested in ships at sea.

Rating:
Summary: SHABBY ATTEMPT TO LOWER!!!
Review: This biography by Evan Thomas of John Paul Jones, an Icon in the history of America, is a shabby attempt to present him as less than a true naval hero and seeks to demean him in very unnecessary ways throughout the biography. Then, belatedly, retracing his comments in a half-hearted retraction. Thruout the book, one must read between the lines to discern the true man, rather than the pained juvenile described by the author. If Evan Thomas needs to write books, I hope he next chooses a fiction base, as his ability to communicate a true portrait of a lasting American Patriot is nonexistent. One wonders why he choose to attempt to lower a true Naval Hero in our eyes.

Rating:
Summary: Lively account
Review: This book is as good as Joel Hayward's acclaimed new work on Lord Nelson called "For God and Glory". Both say something NEW about their subjects, and both are meticulously documented and expertly and engagingly written.

Rating:
Summary: Second masterpiece on a great admiral this year!
Review: This is a good year for navalists and those who study war, combat and leadership.
We have this book which can only be described as a masterpiece worthy of a Pulitzer, and we have Joel Hayward's new highly original book (FOR GOD AND GLORY) on Admiral Nelson, the British naval hero, which is worthy of whatever prizes Britain offers.
Both books present very real, highly eccentric and slightly - dare I say it - weird fighting sailors. But both books, although different in approach to their subjects, make the same point: that Horatio Nelson and John Paul Jones were able to rise above the constraints of their eras and distinguish themselves as true heroes precisely because they were so psychologically unusual.
Evan Thomas's book on John Paul Jones is so sumptuous that your mouth will water as you read the first pages. You'll be hungry - ravenous - to bite into the meat of the book. And you won't be disappointed when you do. This book is so good you'll lie awake thinking about the events of two centuries ago.
I have no reason to say this because I am not an American (and no reason to laud the celebrated new Nelson book by Hayward; I am not a Brit). I am Russian. But I know good research and brilliant writing when I see it. And here I certainly do.
This is a magnificent effort.

Rating:
Summary: Second masterpiece on a great admiral this year!
Review: This is a good year for navalists and those who study war, combat and leadership.

We have this book which can only be described as a masterpiece worthy of a Pulitzer, and we have Joel Hayward's new highly original book (FOR GOD AND GLORY) on Admiral Nelson, the British naval hero, which is worthy of whatever prizes Britain offers.

Both books present very real, highly eccentric and slightly - dare I say it - weird fighting sailors. But both books, although different in approach to their subjects, make the same point: that Horatio Nelson and John Paul Jones were able to rise above the constraints of their eras and distinguish themselves as true heroes precisely because they were so psychologically unusual.

Evan Thomas's book on John Paul Jones is so sumptuous that your mouth will water as you read the first pages. You'll be hungry - ravenous - to bite into the meat of the book. And you won't be disappointed when you do. This book is so good you'll lie awake thinking about the events of two centuries ago.

I have no reason to say this because I am not an American (and no reason to laud the celebrated new Nelson book by Hayward; I am not a Brit). I am Russian. But I know good research and brilliant writing when I see it. And here I certainly do.

This is a magnificent effort.