Six Frigates: The Epic History of the
Founding of the U.S. Navy by Ian W.
Toll
Excellent For Listening, Despite Mispronunciations
A fluent, intelligent history...give[s] the reader a feel for the human quirks
and harsh demands of life at sea.—New York Times Book Review Before
the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent
military became the most divisive issue facing the new government. The
founders—particularly Jefferson, Madison, and Adams—debated fiercely.
Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy
protect from pirates or drain the treasury and provoke hostility? Britain
alone had hundreds of powerful warships. From the decision to build six
heavy frigates, through the cliff-hanger campaign against Tripoli, to the
war that shook the world in 1812, Ian W. Toll tells this grand tale with the
political insight of Founding Brothers and the narrative flair of Patrick
OBrian. .

Personal Review: Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding
of the U.S. Navy by Ian W. Toll
This review covers the audio version, which is a wonderful "listen."
I second the many favorable reviews that highlight the compelling stories
Ian Toll has put together in this history of the infant US Navy. (I also
second the reviewer who says there's nothing really new here, but
sometimes a new storyteller is needed to fire the imagination again.)
Toll's impressive research and narrative, however, is slightly marred by the
reader. Stephen Lang is generally very good (we loved him as Pickett in
the film Gettysburg), and he certainly is enthusiastic and, for the most part,
precise in his reading. But knowledgeable listeners, and certainly
mariners, will occasionally cringe.
Men of good will can disagree on whether it is more accurate to pronounce
the words topmast, ratline, topsail, topgallantsail, studdingsail, and
leeward, as: topmist, ratlinn, topsil, t'ganssel, studs'l, and looward. I
certainly think so.
But there can be no toleration for hearing about the leadsmen casting the
lead as "leedsmen" casting the "leed." (It's the lead--as in the element Pb,
pronounced "led"--because that's what it's made of, mate.) Likewise,
incredibly, "boh-sprit" for bowsprit (though Lang corrects himself later). It
might be pedantic to mention that Bladensburg is pronounced with a long
"a" sound, but are place names still extant so hard to get right?
The worst example is the "pursuer's cabin" raided by drunk and defeated
seamen, a complete botch of "purser's cabin," which makes lots more
sense.
If you can tolerate these abominations without driving off the road, I
heartily recommend Toll's book on audio for your commute.
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