Myths, Tall Tales and Half Truths of Cape Cod (The History Press)

History

Ellis, James H.

Americas

The History Press

West Barnstable is unique among historic colonial Cape Cod hamlets. A quartet born in the little village in a fifty-six-year span in the eighteenth century marked this village on the map forever. James Otis Jr., the Patriot," led the intellectual revolution and helped shape American independence. His sister, Mercy Otis Warren, broke free of the defined roles for women of her time to become a significant political activist, dramatist, poet and historian. War hero John "Mad Jack" Percival rose to the highest rank in the U.S. Navy and saved the USS "Constitution "from the scrap heap before sailing it around the world. America's magistrate Lemuel Shaw influenced the country from his seat as chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. Few villages shone so brightly for their size. Join author James H. Ellis as he traces the stories of West Barnstable's luminaries and their profound village legacy."

Luminaries of Early West Barnstable: The Stories of a Cape Cod Village

History Press Library Editions

Myths, Tall Tales and Half Truths of Cape Cod

History PR

The colorful Captain John "Mad Jack" Percival was a legend in his time. Known as a seaman of uncommon ability and fearlessness, he led such an extraordinary life that he drew the attention of the famous novelists Hawthorne, Melville, and Michener. The fact that his first and last ships are national shrines has only enhanced his reputation. Percival's naval career began in 1797 when he was impressed into British naval service aboard the HMS Victory and ended in 1846 after taking the USS Constitution on her only around-the-world cruise. This book draws from unpublished journals, letters, and logs to provide previously unknown details about his adventures and the formative years of the U.S. Navy. 
Hailing from Cape Cod and recognized by Congress for meritorious action in the War of 1812, Mad Jack fought against the French and British and had the Constitution off the coast of Mexico when war with that country broke out. In between he chased West Indies pirates and Globe mutineers, tussled with South Pacific chieftains, policed distant American whalers and merchantmen, charted unknown waters, quarreled with missionaries, educated and trained midshipmen, and skirmished with local forces in what is now Vietnam. This work is just as entertaining as the tall tales about this heroic figure spun by generations of seamen, but it is completely true.

Mad Jack Percival: Legend of the Old Navy (Library of Naval Biography)

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

Naval Inst Pr

Luminaries of Early West Barnstable:: The Stories of a Cape Cod Village (American Chronicles)

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Books by Ellis, James H.