A close-up portrait of a steadfast naval leader who forged bold solutions on the Great Lakes and beyond.
This biography presents the life and career of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, highlighting his tough, outcome‑driven command in the Detroit and Erie campaigns. It follows his tireless push for ships, men, and coordination with other officers as he faced supply shortages, political pressure, and sharp tactical choices in a volatile era.
- How Perry trained, planned, and rallied ships and crews to meet a superior British force.
- The improvisation required to get two brigs and other vessels over a shallow bar using “camels” and careful seamanship.
- The tensions with fellow officers, and how generosity and resolve helped restore trust under pressure.
- The broader context of Perry’s later voyages and his role in urging American interest on the Lakes and abroad.
Ideal for readers of military history and biographies who want a clear, accessible account of a pivotal fighter on America’s inland seas and his later diplomacy on the South American frontier.