Glenn H. reviewed Sea of Glory: America's Voyage of Discovery, the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 on + 80 more book reviews
Philbrick is the author of "The Mayflower" and "In The Heart of the Sea, The tragedy of the Essex". The book was written for the geographically oriented. I am always impressed with the factual knowledge he has in his books resulting from the abundance of research it must take to hold one's attention with facts.
"The Sea of Glory", covers Lt. Charles Wilkes Exploration Exposition starting in 1838 with 6 ships to explore the areas of Antarctica, the Pacific Islands, and the NW Coast of America. They study the flora and fauna, survey, and map the area for future American sailing ventures and the new knowledge they might find for science. He is the first one to recognize Antarctica as a continent. I was impressed with icebergs they mentioned with dimensions of 100 miles long. Ships and men are lost in their explorations. They get into some hair raising troubles with the natives on the Pacific Isles as well as some love making. This Exploration Exposition is the one which furnishes the foundation of collections for the Smithsonian Museum. Wilkes proves to be a task master almost as bad as Capt. Bligh
"The Sea of Glory", covers Lt. Charles Wilkes Exploration Exposition starting in 1838 with 6 ships to explore the areas of Antarctica, the Pacific Islands, and the NW Coast of America. They study the flora and fauna, survey, and map the area for future American sailing ventures and the new knowledge they might find for science. He is the first one to recognize Antarctica as a continent. I was impressed with icebergs they mentioned with dimensions of 100 miles long. Ships and men are lost in their explorations. They get into some hair raising troubles with the natives on the Pacific Isles as well as some love making. This Exploration Exposition is the one which furnishes the foundation of collections for the Smithsonian Museum. Wilkes proves to be a task master almost as bad as Capt. Bligh
Frank F. reviewed Sea of Glory: America's Voyage of Discovery, the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 on + 372 more book reviews
Interesting story of exploration of the South Pacific, Columbia River and SF Bay. More a story of personalities and their short comings as to why it never became a story widely known.
Jud H. (trekie70) -
Sea of Glory" is an outstanding book by Nathaniel Philbrick, author of the National Book Award winning "In the Heart of the Sea." In my opinion, it is a much better book than the one that inspired the recent movie. I had never heard about the U.S. Exploring Expedition, although I have visited the Smithsonian, which owes its beginning to the men who went own it. The expedition's leader, Charles Wilkes, is a brash, arrogant man who, despite cultivating hatred for himself among his officers and crew, nonetheless manages to garner credit for some remarkable accomplishments. I highly recommend this telling of one of the most remarkable pieces of American history that has been forgotten.
Glenn H. reviewed Sea of Glory: America's Voyage of Discovery, the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 on + 80 more book reviews
This was my second book I read by Mr. Philbrick. I have since read, relished, and recommended them all. He has the talent of taking a historical point and turning it into a wonderful novel without destroying the factual history. Most anyone will enjoy this one: I await his next novel with enthusiasm.
William R. (redmond) reviewed Sea of Glory: America's Voyage of Discovery, the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 on + 22 more book reviews
This is an awesome book. Well read, with a ton of heavily researched information about the true American expedition to the South Pacific and Antartica in 1838. Philbrick does a great job of bringing the logs and journals to life and adding in a realism of what life on the ocean would have been like for this small band of adventurers. I loved it from the begginging to the end!
