U.S.S. Constellation: Pride of the American Navy

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Book Title:

U.S.S. Constellation: Pride of the American Navy

Author:

Walter Dean Myers

ISBN:

0-8234-1816-2

Category:

History

Format:

Hardback

Summary:

This is a very light read - less than an hour or two. It traces the history of the U.S.S. Constellation's two lives - one as a frigate, one as a slop of war. The frigate originally served to combat piracy while the sloop helped combat slavery off the African coast.

The book would make an ideal gift for younger readers, maybe those between 9 and 13 years of age. There are pictures throughout as well as first-person accounts and a section from an instruction manual used onboard ship.

I secured this book through an inter-library loan program, so I was unaware of its intended audience. Now knowing it is meant for young readers, I would highly recommend it for them. Even for those of us who might not be as young anymore, it is a nice way to pass an hour or two.

[David Manley]

A good book, but the idea that she was built in 1797 and "repaired" in 1853/54 has been comprehensively debunked. The ship in Baltimore today isn't an 18th century ship (source: the US Navy's David Taylor Research Center, 1991)

[Comte de Brueys]

US pioneer flagship. :D

A pride symbol for a (at that time growing) Navy.