Reid tells one of the greatest sea stories in the history of the U.S. Navy. Under Commodore Edward Preble, the Navy came of age fighting the scourge of the time, the infamous Barbary Pirates. Intrepid Sailors chronicles the Navy’s campaign to subdue the pirate leader of Tripoli, who declared war on the United States in 1801. After two failed campaigns, Preble took command of the U.S. squadron in the Mediterranean and served notice to world the U.S. Navy would be a force with which to reckon. Among the ships in Preble’s flotilla was a non-descript little ketch. Once a French supply boat, the ketch served Tripoli until the U.S. squadron captured her in 1803. Upon her capture, Preble incorporated the little boat into his force, re-naming her the Intrepid. She was the first ship in the United States Navy to bear the name of Intrepid and would play a central role in some of the primary feats of “Preble’s Boys.” The exploits of the officers and sailors in this campaign are the stuff of legend. In culling myth from fact, Reid went back to original sources, using the words of the men in the campaign to tell their story. Whether it is Decatur leading the daring raid to burn the captured frigate Philadelphia or the escape attempts of American prisoners in Tripoli, Intrepid Sailors brings to life a story many Americans once widely knew but that today has become little more than footnote. Unlike other books on the topic, however, Intrepid Sailors delves into the development of officers and sailors under Preble. Most were half the age of their commander and few had major combat experience. Under Preble, these men forged a legacy of professionalism to which the Navy still adheres. The book also examines one of the most famous friendships in American and Navy history – that of Decatur and Somers. Their thirst for glory and utter devotion to making the U.S. Navy a permanent, respected force inspired all around them but that quest for immortality never caused a breach in their friendship. Instead, that friendship grew stronger, providing even more inspiration. Intrepid Sailors offers a rare insight into the lives of men who today loom larger-than-life and who continue to inspire each new class of naval officer. Stephen Decatur, Richard Somers, Charles Stewart, James Lawrence, Edward Preble and a pantheon of early U.S. Navy heroes all come to life.

Stories of the World's Most Adventurous SailorsEdited by Tom LochhaasAs vivid and engrossing as great sea fiction, Intrepid Voyagers captures the real-life adventures of fifteen legendary long-distance sailors--men and women who have sailed to the ends of the earth and returned to write about it. Tania Aebi, Naomi James, Robert Manry, Hugo Vihlen, Val Howells, Bernard Moitessier, and other greats chronicle the joys, fears, sacrifices, and triumphs of life at sea with an immediacy and grace that will resonate with sailors and landlubbers alike.

The first official history of the legendary aircraft carrier that fought in World War II and Vietnam and continues to serve as a major air and space museum in New York City The USS Intrepid is a warship unlike any other. Since her launching in 1943, the 27,000-ton, Essex-class aircraft carrier has sailed into harm’s way around the globe. During World War II, she fought her way across the Pacific—Kwajalein, Truk, Peleliu, Formosa, the Philippines, Okinawa—surviving kamikaze and torpedo attacks and covering herself with glory. The famous ship endured to become a Cold War attack carrier, recovery ship for America’s first astronauts, and a three-tour combatant in Vietnam. In a riveting narrative based on archival research and interviews with surviving crewmen, authors Bill White and Robert Gandt take us inside the war in the Pacific. We join Intrepid’s airmen at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in October 1944, as they gaze in awe at the apparitions beneath them: five Japanese battleships, including the dreadnoughts Yamato and Musashi, plus a fleet of heavily armored cruisers and destroyers. The sky fills with multihued bursts of anti-aircraft fire. The flak, a Helldiver pilot would write in his action report, “was so thick you could get out and walk on it.” Half a dozen Intrepid aircraft are blown from the sky, but they sink the Musashi. A few months later, off Okinawa, they again meet her sister ship, the mighty Yamato. In a two-hour tableau of hellfire and towering explosions, Intrepid’s warplanes help send the super-battleship and 3,000 Japanese crewmen to the bottom of the sea. We’re next to nineteen-year-old Alonzo Swann in Gun Tub 10 aboard Intrepid as he peers over the breech of a 20-mm anti-aircraft gun. He’s heard of kamikazes, but until today he’s never seen one. Swann and his fellow gunners are among the few African Americans assigned to combat duty in the U.S. Navy of 1944. Blazing away at the diving Japanese Zero, Swann realizes with a dreadful certainty where it will strike: directly into Gun Tub 10. The authors follow Intrepid’s journey to Vietnam. “MiG-21 high!” crackles the voice of Lt. Tony Nargi in his F-8 Crusader. It is 1968, and Intrepid is again at war. Launching from Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, Nargi and his wingman have intercepted a flight of Russian-built supersonic fighters. Minutes later, after a swirling dogfight over North Vietnam, Nargi—and Intrepid—have added another downed enemy airplane to their credit. Intrepid: The Epic Story of America’s Most Legendary Warship brings a renowned ship to life in a stirring tribute complete with the personal recollections of those who served aboard her, dramatic photographs, time lines, maps, and vivid descriptions of Intrepid’s deadly conflicts. More than a numbers-and-dates narrative, Intrepid is the story of people—those who sailed in her, fought to keep her alive, perished in her defense—and powerfully captures the human element in this saga of American heroism.

The true story of the World War II Pacific naval battle that pitted the USS Intrepid’s naval aviators against Japan’s superbattleship Musashi during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. October 24, 1944: As World War II raged, six young American bombers from Torpedo Squadron 18 were sent on a search-and-destroy mission in the Sibuyan Sea. Their target: the superbattleship Musashi, the pride of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The pilots were tasked with preventing the immense enemy warship from inflicting damage on American supply ships. Little did these men know that they had embarked on the opening round of history’s greatest—and last—epic naval battle. Two bomber crews launched in the first wave of attackers were shot out of the sky. Only pilot Will Fletcher survived the crash landing. Adrift at sea, Will made his way to land and escaped into the jungles of the Philippines, where he eluded capture by the Japanese with the help of Filipino guerrillas, whose ranks he joined to fight against their common enemy. Intrepid Aviators is the thrilling true story of these brave bomber pilots, their daring duel with the Musashi, and Will Fletcher’s struggle to survive as a guerrilla soldier. The sinking of Musashi inflicted a crucial blow in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and marked the first time in history that aviators sank a Japanese battleship on the high seas.

180 Masterpieces of World Literature (Vol.1) is an unparalleled collection that stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling across ages and cultures. This anthology brings together a stunning array of voices, ranging from the tragic to the comedic, the factual to the fantastical, and the philosophical to the romantic. Within its pages, readers will find works that have shaped the course of literature and thought, from ancient epics to modern classics, offering a kaleidoscopic view of humanity's intellectual heritage. The diversity of literary styles and themes, from the existential angst in Dostoevsky's prose to the whimsical adventures in Carroll's tales, provides a rich tapestry of human expression. Notably, the collection does not shy away from juxtaposing the introspective poetry of Whitman with the sharp wit of Twain, showcasing the breadth of literary genius over time. The contributing authors and editors, a veritable who's who of literary giants, bring a wealth of backgrounds, cultures, and insights to this anthology. Their works collectively chart the evolutions and revolutions of literary movements, from the Romanticism of Keats to the Realism of Chekhov, and from the Existentialism of Dostoevsky to the Modernism of Joyce. This anthology not only encapsulates the individual genius of authors like Shakespeare and Austen but also illuminates the interconnectedness of literature across time and borders, revealing shared themes of human struggle, love, and identity. The collection is a testament to the transnational and transhistorical dialogues that great literature invokes, making it an essential addition to the libraries of readers who wish to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of global literary traditions. It offers a unique vantage point to explore the myriad ways in which the world has been interpreted and reinterpreted by some of its greatest minds. This anthology is an invitation to a journey through time and thought, promising not just an education in literary forms and themes, but a profound engagement with the questions and ideas that have propelled human civilization forward. Readers eager for a comprehensive understanding of world literature's scope and depth will find no better resource than this collection, where each page turns to reveal another facet of the vast human experience.

The Greatest Classics Ever Written' is a meticulously crafted anthology that traverses the expansive landscapes of literary genius, presenting readers with a collection as diverse in style as it is rich in thematic depth. From the tragedy and introspection of Shakespeare's prose to the pioneering science fiction narratives of H. G. Wells, the anthology showcases an astonishing range of literary forms plays, poems, novels, and philosophical treatises. Each selection has been chosen not only for its individual merit but also for its contribution to the collective exploration of human nature, society, and the eternal quest for knowledge and beauty. The inclusion of texts from antiquity to the brink of the modern era ensures a kaleidoscopic view of universal themes through the lens of historical and cultural paradigm shifts, making it a standout compilation. This anthology's strength lies in the assembled authors' backgrounds, each heralding from different corners of the globe, contributing to a rich mosaic of human experience. The editors have skillfully woven together works from literary titans such as Dante and Tolstoy, visionaries like Kafka and Dostoyevsky, alongside seminal figures in philosophical thought like Plato and Nietzsche. This harmonious integration underscores the anthology's alignment with significant historical, cultural, and literary movements, offering readers a textured and deep understanding of the themes it explores. The contributors' varied voices collectively offer a unique lens through which the labyrinth of human condition and its expressions are explored, bridging temporal and geographical divides. 'The Greatest Classics Ever Written' is an indispensable volume for anyone keen to immerse themselves in the masterworks of literary legends. It offers readers a unique opportunity to engage with the multiplicity of perspectives, narrative styles, and thematic explorations contained within. This anthology is not merely a collection of works; it is a dialogic space where centuries of human thought, artistic expression, and philosophical inquiry intersect. It invites readers to embark on a journey that spans epochs, cultures, and ideologies, emphasizing the educational value and the profound insights that such a comprehensive exploration of literature can provide. The collection is a testament to the enduring power of written word, fostering a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of human experiences across time and space.