Six Frigates and the Tumultuous Birth of the US Navy
After the Revolution, the US Navy consisted of privateers and merchantmen. The debate to form a US Navy took center stage in the halls of Congress. And in 1795, work began on six Frigates that were the most powerful of their class of any navy in the world. Ian Toll's fascinating "Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the US Navy" provides a sweeping description of the building of "Old Ironsides" and the other 5 US Warships and chronicles their exploits along the Barbary Coast and their heroic performance in the War of 1812.
Top Recommendation for March
Six Frigates: The Epic Story of the Founding of the U.S. Navy,
by Ian W Toll (2008 – 592 pp)
Navy Buffs will love Six Frigates. Great overview of the U.S.N.’s first 6 warships and the famous battles they fought. The USS Constitution v. HMS Java etc.