Cooper published this work in 1846 when he was already known as the author of The Spy, The Pilot, and other works, and when the U.S. Navy and its leaders were still not a part of the national consciousness. The sketches, which he had published in Graham's Magazine, provide well researched and detailed accounts of the careers, battles, commands, and characters of Bainbridge, Somers, Shaw, Shubrick, and Preble. Reprint edition. 2006: 252 pages. Softcover. (Scholar's Bookshelf)