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(More customer reviews)White's fifth book, "In Pursuit of Glory," again portrays the early American Navy through the eyes of Oliver Baldwin, the protagonist from "The Greater the Honor." Baldwin, the young midshipman that readers came to know and befriend in White's tale of the Barbary Wars, finds himself present during several of the notable incidents in the years leading up to the US declaration of war on England in 1812. In the opening years of the war, he served under Captain Stephen Decatur and, through Oliver's eyes, we learn the history of the famous capture of the HMS Macedonian by the USS United States.
Readers who have enjoyed White's vivid and riveting battle scenes in his earlier novels will not be disappointed by "In Pursuit of Glory." Through Oliver Baldwin, we experience first-hand the exhilaration and terror of an early 19th Century naval battle. The evocative descriptions place the reader on deck, hearing the constant booming of cannons, smelling the sulphur-laden smoke and seeing the devastation of iron on wood.
This newest work sees exquisite character development, both of the historical characters and the fictitious characters alike. Those who have never even heard of Stephen Decatur will feel as though they have just spent considerable time with him, leaving them with a tangible sense of the man such as a contemporary might have. White's descriptions (even of the non-battle scenes) place the reader in the story and carefully set the scene for the characters' actions.
Of course, as in his previous novels, White includes his pedagogical Author's Notes at the end of the book. In "Glory," White devotes considerable effort to leaving the reader with an accurate understanding of the key events leading up to, and opening, the War of 1812. All in all, "In Pursuit of Glory" is enjoyable and leaves the reader eagerly anticipating White's next book.
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In Pursuit of GloryOliver Baldwin, recently back from the Barbary Wars, sets sail in the U.S. frigate Chesapeake on a routine patrol. The patrol becomes anything but routine when the ship is confronted by the 50-gun HMS Leopard outside the Virginia Capes. Commodore James Barron refuses the British captain's orders to produce Royal Navy deserters, and the Leopard fires into the American frigate with disastrous results. Following the ensuing court-martial, a new captain takes command of Chesapeake to enforce the Jeffersonian Embargoes on the Atlantic seaboard, with Oliver Baldwin still in his crew. Baldwin's adventures continue, encountering more ships of the Royal Navy, going to battle with the HMS Macedonian, and, ultimately, witnessing the actual beginnings of the War of 1812. Steeped in accurate U.S. naval lore andtold through well-constructed characters, this chronicle provides a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known period of crucial importance to both the development of the fledgling United States and her Navy.
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