John Paul Jones; Fighter for Freedom and Glory

Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute, 1943 United States Naval Institute, Annapolis, MD. 1943. Hardcover. First Edition- matching date on title page with copyright. Book is tight, square, and unmarked, but for former owner book plate and blind stamp; DJ flaps have been glued to FFFP. Book Condition: G+; bumped tips; wear of cover at tail; slight sunfading to spine; rubbing to boards. No DJ; but flaps and rear are glued to FFFP Maroon boards and spine with gilt lettering to spine and front board with title shadowed boxed in black. 847 pp 8vo, 26 illustrations, 4 charts. This is the story of America's first great sailor who lies in a casket in the Crypt of the Naval Academy Chapel. As an officer of the Continental Navy of the American Revolution, he helped establish the traditions of courage and professionalism that the sailors of the United States Navy today proudly maintain. He was born in a humble gardener's cottage in Kirkbean, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, went to sea as a youth, and was a merchant shipmaster by the age of twenty-one. Having taken up residence in Virginia, he volunteered early in the War of Independence to serve in his adopted country's infant navy and raised with his own hands the Continental ensign on board the flagship of the Navy's first fleet. He took the war to the enemy's homeland with daring raids along the British coast and the famous victory of the Bonhomme Richard over HMS Serapis. After the Bonhomme Richard began taking on water and fires broke out on board, the British commander asked Jones if he had struck his flag. Jones replied, "I have not yet begun to fight!" In the end, it was the British commander who surrendered. Jones is remembered for his indomitable will, his unwillingness to consider surrender when the slightest hope of victory still burned. Throughout his naval career Jones promoted professional standards and training. Sailors of the United States Navy can do no better than to emulate the spirit behind John Paul Jones's stirring declaration: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." A clean and presentable copy.