About the Author

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Preface vii
4. Introduction 1
5. 1. Young America on the Pacific: “The Sailor of Manifest Destiny Views” 15
6. 2. The Decatur in the Old Navy: “To Command Our Own Seas and Coasts” 28
7. 3. Boston: Getting Under Way 40
8. 4. Episode 1. Through the Strait of Magellan: “Off to Californio!” 56
9. 5. Episode 2. Seattle: “Down Came the indians, Like so Many Demons” 109
10. 6. San Francisco: “This Reckless Life” 161
11. 7. Episode 3. Nicaragua: “Seeing the Elephant” 175
12. 8. Episode 4. Panama: “All the Subtle Demonisms of Life and Thought” 227
13. 9. The Civil War and Beyond 272
14. Abbreviations 290
15. Notes 293
16. Bibliography 361
17. Index 375
18. About the Author 382