Sea Eagle - (American Crisis Series: Books on the Civil War Era) Annotated by Alden R Carter (Hardcover)

About the Book

William Barker Cushing is considered one of the navy's greatest heroes of the Civil War. After his expulsion from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1861, Cushing managed to get an appointment as a master's mate on one of the warships of a blockading squadron. Cushing's daring and exce...

Book Synopsis

William Barker Cushing is considered one of the navy's greatest heroes of the Civil War. After his expulsion from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1861, Cushing managed to get an appointment as a master's mate on one of the warships of a blockading squadron. Cushing's daring and exceptional performance in battle led to a spectacular rise in rank, responsibility, and reputation. His military career culminated in his torpedoing of the Confederate ironclad Albemarle on the Roanoke River in 1864, an operation he executed under heavy enemy fire. This new and fully annotated edition of Cushing's memoir, originally written in 1867-1868, conveys the excitement and drama of a truly extraordinary Civil War naval career.

Review Quotes

William Barker Cushing was the most intrepid and exciting officer in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. His daring raids behind enemy lines, including the destruction of the Confederate ironclad Albemarle, are the stuff of legends. Alden Carter perfectly captures Cushing's personality and actions in his introduction to the naval officer's fascinating wartime memoir.

In The Sea Eagle, editor Carter adequately portrays Cushing in his introduction to the commander's wartime memoirs. The addition of glossaries describing officers and ships mentioned in the text, plus contemporary articles originally published in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War flesh out the life and exploits of the dashing Cushing.

About the Author

Alden R. Carter is a former naval officer and teacher. Named to the Wisconsin Library Association's list "Notable Wisconsin Authors" in 2002, he has published over forty books for children, young adults, and adults. His books have won numerous honors, including six American Library Association Best Book awards. His adult novel Bright Starry Banner was named the Best Civil War Novel of 2004 by the Military Order of the Stars and Bars.