History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Pirates: Terror on the High Seas (Special Editions (Military))

Average customer rating:

Worth the Doubloons
A great history about pirates!!!

Pirates: Terror on the High Seas (Special Editions (Military))
Angus Konstam
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1841764523
Release Date: 2001-09-07

Book Description

This book combines Elite 67: `Pirates 1660-1730', Elite 69: `Buccaneers 1620-1700' and Elite 74: `Privateers and Pirates 1730-1830'. Text by Angus Konstam, plates by Angus McBride. This book tells, in beautifully illustrated detail, the full story of piracy from its origins in the 16th century to the last great piratical wave in the early 19th century. It explores the lives of well-known buccaneers who carried out their raids under the protection of the English crown and the privateers that were relied on by the American Navy during the American Revolution to disrupt British shipping between England and the rebellious colonies. Other subjects covered include the ships, weaponry used, codes of behaviour and the lives of the colourful characters that roamed the high seas searching for plunder.

Customer Reviews:

Worth the Doubloons.......2006-01-22

This is a collection of three Osprey books, so you need to think in terms of an adult version of the Eyewitness picture books. You shouldn't expect an exhaustively comprehensive treatment of the subject matters, after all each book tends to be only 1/4 inch thick.

So, with expectations aligned, this collection includes Buccaneers 1620-1700, Pirates 1660-1730 and Privateers and Pirates 1730-1830. There are quite a few pictures to compliment the text, including maps, wood cuts and those provided by Angus McBride.

In Buccaneers the topics covered include their origins, attire, weapons, ships, havens and tactics. Konstam gives us some brief biographies of a few of the famous names like Morgan, Myngs, Nau, Grammont and de Graaf.

In Pirates the topics covered include their origins, dress, tactics, flags, ports and ships. Konstam gives us some brief biographies of a few of the famous names like Teach, Bonny, Reade, Rackam, Vane, Every, Bonnet, Kidd and the Dread Pirate Roberts.

In Privateers the topics covered include their origins, methods, ports and ships. Konstam gives us some brief biographies of a few of the famous names like Haraden, Talbot, Jones, Surcouf, Boyle, Laffite, de Soto and Gibert.

An excellent collection of overviews suitable for adolescents and adults, for more on piracy through the ages I suggest Konstam's The History of Pirates.
P-)

A great history about pirates!!!.......2003-02-09

This is so far the best book ive came across having to do with the subject of pirates. This book covers the many different aspects of piracy such as privateering, buccaneers, the golden age of piracy, and all the well known pirates such as Jack Rackam (Calico Jack), Bartholomew Roberts (Black Bart), Edward Teach (Black Beard), Charles Vane, Captain Kidd, and many others. This book also covers all of the weapons, types of clothing and ships used by pirates. It goes into detail about many of the famous activities carried out by pirates. The illustrations in the book are well down and are a joy to look at! I recommend this book to anyone interested in this subject. But if your already familiar with pirates, then you will want something bigger with more detail and more artwork!

Cold War at Sea: High-Seas Confrontation Between the United States and the Soviet Union

Average customer rating:

An Interesting Read

Cold War at Sea: High-Seas Confrontation Between the United States and the Soviet Union
David F. Winkler
Manufacturer: US Naval Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Russia | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1557509557

Book Description

Free to patrol the skies and surface of the high seas under international law, U.S. and Soviet naval and air forces made daily direct contact during the Cold War. Often confrontational and occasionally violent, air-to-air contacts alone killed over one hundred Soviet and American aviators during the Truman and Eisenhower years. Diplomacy to curtail the hostility produced mixed results. In the 1960s the Soviet Navy challenged worldwide U.S. naval dominance, and collisions and charges of harassment became common. In 1972 the two nations signed an Incidents at Sea Agreement (INCSEA) that established navy-to-navy channels to resolve issues. This agreement is the focus of David Winkler's study. He argues that in contrast to conventional diplomatic channels, Soviet and American naval officers, sharing bonds inherent in seamen, could put ideology aside and speak frankly. Working together, they limited incidents that could have had unfortunate consequences. Drawing on previously unavailable State Department files and recently declassified papers held at the Naval Historical Center as well as discussions with former top naval officials, diplomats, and others, Winkler details U.S.-Soviet incidents at sea, analyzes the changes in U.S. policy and naval strategy, and evaluates the effects of various events on U.S.-Soviet maritime relations, helping readers to fully appreciate the agreement's significance in establishing a direct military-to-military contact and as a venue to discuss other issues during the 1970s and 1980s.

Customer Reviews:

An Interesting Read.......2001-04-22

I found this book quite fascinating, as it touches on a facet of the Cold War very rarely mentioned in the mainstream of history -- the practices of limited (though still dangerous) engagement between the U.S. and Soviet high-seas fleets. Furthermore, it details not only the incidents, but the effect that seemingly remote occurences had on both the Soviet and U.S. leadership. That effect, ultimately led to the establishment of a number of agreements, also detailed in this volume. Interestingly enough, Winkler makes it quite apparent that many of the Soviet diplomats and military officials were quite mindful of the impending failure of the Soviet Union, even in the early 1970s. I would definitely reccomend it if you are interested in Naval or Cold War history, or if for some reason, you want a detailed history of collisions at sea, as found in one of the appendixes.

Sailing into the Abyss: A True Story of Extreme Heroism on the High Seas--winner of the 2006 US Maritime Literature Award

Average customer rating:

Serviceable Accounting of a Tragedy
True Life
Sailing into the Abyss
Review of Sailing into the Abyss
Here's the Reason they are Called the "High Seas"

Sailing into the Abyss: A True Story of Extreme Heroism on the High Seas--winner of the 2006 US Maritime Literature Award
William Benedetto
Manufacturer: Citadel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Vietnam War | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0806526467

Customer Reviews:

Serviceable Accounting of a Tragedy.......2006-08-27

Very few people are likely to have heard of the loss of the American merchant ship Badger State at Christmas of 1969. She was carrying a load of bombs to resupply the Air Force in Vietnam, and a chain of unfortunate events--poor stowage of the explosives, carrying an insufficient amount of cargo so that the ship rode high, bad weather--combined to lead almost inevitably to tragedy.

Benedetto, in very simple and unadorned prose that is not bogged down by a great deal of nautical jargon, provides a workmanlike rendition of the last days of the ship and crew. He draws heavily upon the documented testimony of survivors before a Board of Inquiry and received very significant input from Charles Wilson, the captain of the late vessel.

He also throws in a great deal of material (which at times verges on simple padding) about the tragic experiences of many other ships of the U.S. Merchant Marine over the last two hundred years, particularly about their destruction by, or, in some cases, escape from, Axis forces in WWII.

A small number of black and white photos are included. The diagrams of the ship and of the bomb pallets would have been better placed at the beginning of the book for easier reference.

This is not a lyrical and haunting masterpiece of man's struggle against the hostility of nature, but it's a serviceable enough rendering of an otherwise forgotten disaster and a nice primer about the sacrifices of the merchant marine.

True Life.......2006-05-31

I recently sailed with a person who was a crewmember on the S.S. Badger State when this tragic incident occurred. Your book brought the story full circle, thanks for writing such an illuminating account.

Paul J. Gunis

Sailing into the Abyss.......2006-05-14

Mr. Benedetto has brought history alive with his accounting of the horrific journey of the S.S Badger State. One feels the struggle and dispair of the Captain and crew as the drama unfolds. Sailing into the Abyss is a compelling real life story that would rival any fictional tale.

Review of Sailing into the Abyss.......2006-05-01

As a historian, I am always interested in learning new things about past events. Mr. Benedetto's book, "Sailing into the Abyss," has been one of the most interesting books I have read in a long time. Not having previously read anything about the saga of the S.S. Badger State, I was glued to the pages from beginning to end. The book is a great reminder of how things at sea can go terribly wrong very quickly and serves as a great tribute to the men whose story this represents. Fascinating reading.

Ray Charlton

Here's the Reason they are Called the "High Seas".......2006-04-29

A wonderful read. I have recommended it to several nautical friends and all agree. Thrilling from start to finish.

Ships From Hell: Japanese War Crimes on the High Seas

Average customer rating:

An Eye-Opening Book About Japanese Atrocities

Ships From Hell: Japanese War Crimes on the High Seas
Raymond Lamont-Brown
Manufacturer: Sutton Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Using eyewitness accounts and official sources, this is a new and frightening insight into the atrocities committed at sea.

Customer Reviews:

An Eye-Opening Book About Japanese Atrocities.......2004-02-19

This book describes the inhumane and sometimes macabre treatment of Allied prisoners of war by their Japanese captors. The first part of the book describes the feared "Hell Ships". These were massively overcrowded freighters that the Japanese used to transport POWs. Most of the time, the POWs were packed in so tightly that they were unable to lay down. Very little food or water was given to them, and their latrine amounted to a trough hanging over the side of the ship. Aside from facing the constant beatings from the Japanese, these men also lived in fear of Allied submarine attack. Indeed, many of the POWs died as a result of an Allied torpedo striking their Hell Ship. The Japanese did very little to assist the prisoners in case the ship needed to be abandoned. Most of the time, they were locked in their holds to drown as the ship sank.

Japanese submarines and commerce raiders also played a role in the high seas atrocities. Many Japanese submarine captains would surface their sub after sinking an enemy vessel and machine gun the survivors in the water.

The chapters dealing with biological warfare and "comfort women" are particularly disturbing. The Japanese would use Allied POWs as human "guinea pigs" for "medical" experiments. As noted in the book, the Japanese would allow the POWs very little clothing and as they proceeded into colder cilmates, they would see how the POWs bodies would react. Many of them died from exposure to the cold. Others were thrown into the sea for "survival tests", while others were subjected to various vaccine tests.

The "comfort women" were mostly young Korean women, about 12 to 20 years old, who were subjected to forced prostitution. These women were lured in by false promises from the Japanese commander, placed aboard a ship, and sent to the front lines for the Japanese sailors and soldiers. Many went mad, most contacted various diseases, and many died.

The fact that amazes me is how to this day the Japanese can still deny so much of these atrocities. Much of the history from this time period is not mentioned at all by the Japanese. Hopefully one day they will realize their earlier wrongdoings and apologize for them.

Book Description

Alfred von Tirpitz (1849â€“1930), who joined the Prussian Navy in 1865 as a midshipman, was chiefly responsible for rapidly developing and enlarging the German Navy, especially the High Seas Fleet, from 1897 until the years immediately prior to the First World War. Epkenhans uses newly discovered documents to provide a fresh treatment of this important naval leader.

In 1897, Tirpitz became the Secretary of State of the Imperial Navy Department. In four major building acts of 1898, 1900, 1908, and 1912, and, in working closely with Kaiser Wilhelm II, Tirpitz expanded the Imperial Navy from a small coastal force into a major blue-water navy. Great Britain, reacting with alarm to this challenge to its overseas trade and naval supremacy, accelerated the naval arms race by launching a revolutionary type of battleship, the Dreadnought, in 1906 and entering into strategic alliances with France and Russia. By the start of the First World War in 1914, the British Royal Navy still held a sizable advantage in capital ships over Germany, so that only one notable fleet action, Jutland in 1916, took place during the war.

Tirpitz, who had become the German Navy commander with the outbreak of the war, thereafter became a staunch advocate of unrestricted submarine warfare. This policy did not differentiate between neutral and belligerent shipping and proved so controversial with the neutral United States that Germany was forced to retract it, albeit only temporarily. In the meantime, Tirpitz tendered his resignation to the Kaiser, who surprisingly accepted it. Tirpitz remained a minor figure thereafter, later serving the right-wing Fatherland Party as a deputy in the Reichstag.

Average customer rating:

A Historical Ficton Likers book
An old fashioned adventure story.

Tom Cringle: Battle on the High Seas
Gerald Hausman
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0689828101

Book Description

I, Tom Cringle, two days before my

thirteenth birthday, have made the

decision of my life: to go to sea.

Just two and a half weeks after Tom makes this bold declaration, he sets sail aboard the Bream as a midshipman in England's navy. The War of 1812 is raging, and Tom's ship is headed for Jamaica to patrol the waters against pirates.

Tom finds all the adventure he ever dreamed of -- and then some. Within his first few months as a sailor, he's caught in a life-and-death battle with a mysterious ghost ship, is rescued from a shipwreck by his faithful dog, Sneezer, survives an earthquake, and is kidnapped by Obediah Glasgow, a fierce and dangerous pirate for whom Tom develops an unexpected loyalty.

Tom Cringle: Battle on the High Seas is a fast-paced and gripping story of life on the high seas, of conflicting allegiances, and of finding friends where they are least expected. But most all, it is the tale of a boy who seeks a personal code of honor to guide him through unpredictable and perilous times. Tom's earnest, honest voice and the dynamic and memorable characters he meets make this an irresistible coming-of-age story that will resonate with readers long after they've turned the final page.

Customer Reviews:

A Historical Ficton Likers book.......2001-12-01

Tom Cringle Battle on the High seas is a pretty good book for Historical Ficton likers, but it is kind of boring. It's about a thirteen year old boy that goes out to sea to be a sailor. Some of the main characters are Captin Dally, Johnny, Mr. Smythe, Peter, and of course Tom Cringle which is very brave. My favorite part is when the battle happened near the end, and the whole crew was very, very brave!

An old fashioned adventure story........2000-08-11

This adventure set during the War of 1812 has many of the elements found in classic sea stories: There's storms, a shipwreck, pirates, a brave young hero, and more. The narrator is a thirteen-year-old boy named Tom Cringle who joins the British navy in 1812. The ship he is stationed on, the Bream, heads for the Carribean to guard the colonies. Along the way he makes friends and enemies, survives storms, a shipwreck, and a terrible disease, and is captured by pirates. The book was similiar to those in the My Name is America series in that it told of historical events through a young boy's journal. Highly reccomended if you like that series, historical fiction, sea stories, or good, old fashioned adventure.

Naval Warship: Fsf-1 Sea Fighter (High Interest Books)

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Naval Warship: Fsf-1 Sea Fighter (High Interest Books)
Steve White
Manufacturer: Children's Press (CT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Military & Wars | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

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ASIN: 0531187071

Hero of the High Seas: John Paul Jones and the American Revolution

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Richie's Picks: HERO OF THE HIGH SEAS
Well, sit right back and you'll hear a tale. A tale of a fateful trip.

Hero of the High Seas: John Paul Jones and the American Revolution
Michael Cooper
Manufacturer: National Geographic Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Military & Wars | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 079225547X
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Book Description

In a marble crypt in Annapolis, Maryland, at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, lies an American hero. In death, as in life, John Paul Jones commands the deepest affection of his fellow countrymen.

Veteran children's writer Michael Cooper takes a fresh look at one of the most colorful characters of the Revolutionary War period. The war is viewed from Jones's perspective and the reader lives out all the uncertainties, the risks, and the dangers faced by Jones with each dramatic battle at sea.

A Scots immigrant, John Paul Jones arrived in America on the eve of the War for Independence, and went on to serve in the Continental Navy. The arc of his exciting life's narrative would lead him to deliver the sting of war to the British people.

We follow Jones's seaborne odyssey until his fate is forged in the biggest naval battle of the American Revolution. Jones and his crew aboard the Bonhomme Richard engage the Royal Navy's Serapis and vanquish the world's greatest sea power. The name of John Paul Jones is thereafter etched into the imagination of generations of American schoolboys. Now, Hero of the High Seas gives our generation an original, accurate, and objective historical reference point for one of our country's earliest naval heroes.

In Jones we meet a determined, commanding man who demanded perfection and constantly strove for improvement. Although he remained a well-respected inspirational figure to his men, Jones's fiery temper also led him into several clashes with authority.

Michael Cooper tells the story of this hero of the high seas with an invigorating realism and eye for detail.

This historical biography is generously illustrated with period artwork, and photographs of historical artifacts. Fine National Geographic cartography traces the voyages and ports of call of this American hero.

Customer Reviews:

Richie's Picks: HERO OF THE HIGH SEAS.......2006-10-20

" 'Criticizing and censuring almost every one you have to do with, will diminish friends, increase enemies, and thereby hurt your affairs.' "
--Benjamin Franklin's advice to John Paul Jones on getting along with others.

In Paris one hundred and one years ago, a crew of workers with picks and shovels entered a laundry in Paris and began digging in the basement. Back at the end of the eighteenth century the city had occupied a smaller area and where the laundry sat in 1905 was where a cemetery had, a century prior to then, been situated outside of town.

The planning phase of the operation had apparently been carried out with great skill, for the workers soon succeeded in unearthing what they were seeking: a heavy lead coffin filled with alcohol and the well-preserved body of American Revolution naval hero John Paul Jones.

Thanks to President Teddy Roosevelt's being an avid naval historian, John Paul Jones (or at least his pickled body) was belatedly returned to America with great ceremony and was buried in a handsome crypt at the US Naval Academy.

I, myself, knew nothing of substance about John Paul Jones and thus knew nothing of the significant naval aspects of the American Revolution. (Who knew there were significant naval aspects to the American Revolution? Even the rebellious colonists could be forgiven for not knowing, considering that, "The Continental Navy began with no warships, no men, and no money.")

But nevertheless, the quick-to-anger, full-of-himself John Paul Jones, who assumed the role of the squeaky wheel, succeeded in obtaining the rank he desired, the ships he needed, and proceeded to make such a nuisance of himself off the coast of Britain that the British had to devote some of their resources to protecting their own shoreline from the Scottish native turned American patriot.

John Paul, who first came to live in America in the aftermath of a dicey situation in which he killed a rebellious merchant sailor under his command, altered his name and arrived in the colony of Virginia just as the colonies were gearing up for War.

As Michael L. Cooper tells the tale of the Scottish gardener's son who became a revolutionary hero, the reader is treated to a wealth of action and gore on the high seas, along with a well-trimmed accounting of how Jones' life and career fit into the events preceeding, and events of, the American Revolution.

HERO OF THE HIGH SEAS could well serve as a model for the exemplary trade informational text that is appropriate for a diversity of readers. Within its 121 pages there are a wealth of primary source materials, an abundance of illustrations and graphics, and clear explanations of the ships, the War, and all aspects of the man. In those portions of the tale that could especially be of great interest to the young history aficionado, such as the frequently amusing communications by, and about, the scoundrel, err...I mean naval hero, the story never once bogs down in a manner that would cause the more reluctant readers to lose interest.

I picked up this book with no expectations that the life of John Paul Jones would be of interest to me. Thanks to Michael L. Cooper, I've soaked up an abundance of fascinating information about the life and times (and foibles) of this complex American revolutionary.

Well, sit right back and you'll hear a tale. A tale of a fateful trip........2006-09-26

Picture me at age twelve. Now picture me at age twelve given a school assignment to read a biography of a Revolutionary War hero that is at least 100 pages long. Now picture me at age twelve staring in horror at the biography section of my local library. That fate, strange as it may seem, is repeated regularly all around the United States of America and it's enough to give any sane soul nightmares for weeks on end. As a kid I was not a non-fiction fan. If it didn't have anything to do with albinos (this is true) I wasn't interested. So I hold Michael L. Cooper's, "Hero of the High Seas", in my hands and attempt to show it to my twelve-year-old self, who still resides somewhere in the left-hand corner of my brain.

Me 28: What do you think? It looks kind of neat.
Me 12: Is that a map on the cover?
Me 28: Oh calm down. Like you've never looked at a map before. Now open it up. See all the cool photos inside?
Me 12: Everything's brown. Why is everything brown?
Me 28: That's not brown. It's called "sepia". Come on. Read the first chapter. I know you'll like it if you do.
Me 12: Uh... who's Senator John McCain?
Me 28: No, no. Not the Foreword. Read the next part.
Me 12: Oooh. An Introduction. How thrilling.
Me 28: Put a lid on the sarcasm, young lady. Skip that too.
Me 12: Make up your mind.
Me 28: Just read Chapter One.
Me 12: (all huffy now) Fine. (long pause). It's okay.

Which, as far as I can ascertain, is the highest praise my non-non-fiction self could have come to praising this book. It's probably not a title for every kid you know, but as bios of Revolutionary War heroes go, a person could find much drier fare covering the same information. At least in this case you get floggings, accusations of murder, swordfights, mutiny, and all of that is just in the first seven pages. John Paul Jones was, according to Herman Melville, "intrepid, unprincipled, reckless, predatory, with boundless ambition, civilized in external but a savage at heart." All the characteristics, as it happens, that make for the best biographies. And Mr. Cooper, all praise deserved, knows just how to best display his heroically flawed subject.

Let's cover the basics right off the bat. He was born John Paul in southwest Scotland in 1747. And as his father was just a gardener, John decided to better his lot in life by becoming a sailor right from the start. He rose quickly to prominence and was the captain of his own ship at the remarkably young age of 21. Then came an unfortunate incident in the Caribbean and Jones (as he now was known) came to America to start anew. With the dawn of the Revolutionary War, the man became notorious for his risky behavior and his sometimes foolhardy courage, both contributing significantly to the legend that now surrounds him. As such, author Michael Cooper meticulously separates fact from fiction while managing to retain the aura of heroism surrounding this notable American figure.

Michael Cooper leaps head first into the action surrounding Jones's life, choosing to begin his story with a violent incident that caused Jones to flee to America sans ship. So right off the bat you may not know who John Paul Jones was, but hearing about his battle against mutinous sailors you know that he's a guy worth learning more about. Of course Mr. Cooper doubles back after the first thrilling moments of the story, but his choice to begin the book in this manner shows that he knows his audience. Give the people what they want and extra points if you happen to be able to work in a few facts in there as well. This isn't the only concession to his young audience Cooper makes either. The book's a trim 128 pages and it isn't one of those bios that languishes for long periods of time over the brand of powder Jones used on his wig or the interior mechanics of a schooner or gunner.

But really, it's the way Cooper chooses to tie together his information that lifts this from a standard here-are-the-facts-about-this-man's-life bio to something with a little more meat to it. For example, Jones was not particularly perturbed by tensions between America and England. Why not? Well, he was Scottish for one thing. And Jones had been born two years before the "Rising of 1745." Basically, rebellions were no new thing to him. Cooper also keeps his speculations to a minimum. There's nothing worse than reading a bio where an author will launch into long strings of dialogue justified with a mild this-might-have-occurred (I'm looking at YOU, Sid Fleischman). The closest Cooper ever gets to this is to bring up what Jones and John K. Read might have discussed amongst themselves in terms of politics and general philosophy. Fairly safe assumptions, to say the least. I was also amused by little details like Benjamin Franklin, who irritated people on a regular basis (according to Joan Dash's, "A Dangerous Engine", anyway), advising Jones on how to get along with others. Heck, the caricature of Jones as a pirate may be worth the price of admission alone.

I was also interested in the number of times that Cooper would feel it necessary to clarify to the reader that in spite of his ambition and selfishness, John Paul Jones did feel a loyalty to the United States. As he was born a Scotsman, the responsible biographer (in this case, Mr. Cooper) must make it quite clear that this "hero" was not a mere mercenary in it for the pay and prestige. This job becomes all the more difficult when you take into account the fact that Mr. Jones really was in it for the pay and prestige. He just happened to like America as well. How do we know this? The clearest evidence to my eyes is a section in which Cooper recounts how Jones was forced during the war to captain a ship created for the sole purpose of capturing fellow ships for the monetary gain. Again and again Jones works to reach his military goals, only to be thwarted or delayed by his money hungry crew. A captain in it for the gold could have worked in tandem with such men and made his fortune as a true legalized pirate (as his foes would call him). Instead, Jones was in it for the war and not the moolah. It helps all the more that Mr. Cooper knows to make this distinction clear.

Ship books, for the record, are huge this year. From Janet Taylor Lisle's, "Black Duck" to Graham Salisbury's, "The House of Red Fish", more fiction for children is working on the assumption that kids want to know the nitty gritty details of sailing and seafaring. This particular book actually kept reminding me of Susan Cooper's, "Victory". In the female Cooper's book we see the Battle of Trafalgar through the eyes of a ship's powder monkey. In "Hero of the High Seas" we view very similar battles, but from the standpoint of those making the decisions in a war rather than simply carrying those orders out. If I were to pair this bio with any work of fiction, I'd certainly place it alongside Ms. Cooper's tale. They may speak of different wars and nationalities, but the time periods are mere decades apart and the battles themselves complement one another nicely.

If I've any objection to "Hero of the High Seas" maybe it lies in some of those aforementioned battle sequences. There's a section in Chapter Three where Jones is sailing the Alfred alongside the Columbus, Cabot, Andrew Doria, and Providence so as to engage with the Glasgow. The child reader who goes through this section had better keep very clear the fact that Cooper mentioned much earlier that all five ships were American and that the Glasgow was British. I myself floundered about, trying to keep everything straight during the battle and yet I had to backtrack several times to keep clear the bevy of names. Perhaps some judicious pruning (or, better still, reminding) would make this section easier for dim-witting adults like me as well as clever ship-loving children.

So how do you convince kids to read this book? For all the beauty of its packaging, National Geographic Press has succeeded in giving Cooper's tale the adult book look. 47-year-olds will think the cover looks neat. Anyone under the age of 19, however, may give it a glance and then run for the high hills. Part of a children's librarian's lot in life is to do booktalks wherein that librarian convinces kids of a book's readability. In the case of "Hero of the High Seas", I suggest stressing the overwhelming odds that Jones faced. I mean, he was part of an infant nation facing England's, "strongest navy in the world." Or you could mention how they found his grave in the basement of a French laundry in 1905 with his body so intact that they could make out his deformed ear. Whatever it takes, it's worth it. The book is a great read and a quick one to boot. Succinct and entirely pleasant. Worth including on your non-fiction shelf.

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