This book tells of the Civil War campaigns of David Farragut. Thoroughly researched and compellingly written, this book examines Farragut's command of the most daring and important assignment of the Civil War: the mission to recapture the vital Southern port of New Orleans. "Damn the torpedoes... Full speed ahead." Admiral David Farragut's bold order at the Battle of Mobile Bay has served as a rallying cry for the United States Navy for a century. Described as "urbane" and "indomitable" by contemporaries, and lionized as an "American Viking" by the Northern press during the Civil War. Farragut was considered gallant, brilliant, and humane by friend and foe alike. Lincoln's Admiral also offers insights into the Battle of Mobile Bay, arguably Farragut's most famous campaign. An expansive and compelling chronicle of Farragut's career, Lincoln's Admiral traces the brilliant decisions and wartime strategy of one of history's greatest military leaders.

The Farragut Naval Training Station, located near Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, was only operational between 1942 and 1946, but during that time it was the largest city in Idaho, the largest business in Idaho, and the second-largest U.S. naval training station. Named for Civil War hero Adm. David G. Farragut, it trained sailors from 23 different states and by June 15, 1946, the day its doors closed, a total of 293,381 recruits, or "boots," and over 25,943 service-school sailors had passed through its doors. At least two Medal of Honor recipients and one Navy Cross recipient, along with a future governor of Idaho, spent time at the station. After its decommissioning, it served as the Farragut College and Technical Institute. Today it is the site of Farragut State Park and a small U.S. Navy acoustic research detachment.

No admiral in America's Civil War fought with more distinction than David Glasgow Farragut, the first admiral of the U.S. Navy. Yet despite being considered by historians the most important American naval officer before World War II, no substantial biography of Farragut has been published in more than fifty years. Noted historian Chester Hearn's use of previously untapped family and archival records make this long-anticipated study worth waiting for. His history not only fully describes Farragut's extraordinary naval exploits but also his lifelong involvement with Capt. David Porter, his foster father, and David Dixon Porter, his foster brother - making this the most complete and illuminating picture ever assembled of one of America's greatest naval heroes. Focusing primarily on the Civil War, Hearn uses recently discovered family correspondence to detail Farragut's relationships with the elder Porter, who signed up Farragut as a seagoing midshipman in the U.S. Navy at the age of nine, and with Porter's son, the only other full admiral to emerge from the Civil War. Under the senior Porter's tutelage, Farragut by the age of thirteen had participated in more action during the War of 1812 than many of the Navy's senior officers. Farragut's legendary leadership is showcased in Hearn's thrilling description of the Battle of Mobile Bay. The author's detailed chronicle of Farragut's command of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, crowned by the capture of New Orleans and Port Hudson, reestablishes Farragut's nearly forgotten legacy.