University of Virginia Library

“If there was one man before all others, whom we could have selected for this
task, that man was Mr. Cooper. In all things relative to the Navy he writes with
enthusiasm. The ocean is his element. With the glorious career of the service in
which his youth was passed, he takes a laudable pride, and he betrays in every page
the earnest desire of his heart to make its merits known to the world. In dwelling
upon the achievements of our young Navy, the pure American fire of his genius once
more blazes out as brightly as ever. In the interest which he has thrown around
the cruises and combats of our ships of war, we trace the master hand which drew
the Pilot; nor will many chapters in this work yield in point of romantic interest
to any of his sea-novels. Many of the naval actions of the Revolution, and especially
the cruisings of Paul Jones, and the desperate fight between the Bon-Homme
Richard and the Serapis, have all the richness of romance, with the method and
accuracy of strict history.”

“The History of the Navy of the United States from the earliest period of its
existence, in the dawn of the Revolution, through all its discouragements, reverses,
trials, and glory, was a task worthy of the author, who had established a reputation,
as a describer of nautical events, superior to that of any other living writer. The
task has been so performed as to leave nothing to desire. No work of higher interest
has been published in the United States for many years. The glories of American
victories are fully portrayed, whilst, at the same time, care is taken, in every case,
to exhibit a fair and impartial estimate of the strength and appointments of antagonists
vessels or fleets. In this way the work acquires the credit due to a grave
and impartial history.”

“We have perused this history with no little curiosity and with great interest.
Considering the brief existence of the American marine, its annals are more eventful,
more romantic, and more various, than any in existence. Nothing can surpass
the energy which enabled the United States to form an effective navy, at a time
when they could hardly be said to have had a political existence, and when they
were beset by greater difficulties than any which an infant nation had ever yet to
encounter. This consideration has animated the present historian, whose enthusiasm
seems to be kindled by his office of chronicler, even more than when he formerly
sought inspiration from the same source in constructing his famous stories of the
sea. Altogether this history is a valuable one, and cannot fail to pass into universal
circulation. The incidents which took place in the naval war with Tripoli, are
grander and more heroic than any thing in the circle of romance, and are detailed
with all the vigour and animation of Mr. Cooper's genius.”