David Eppenstein's Reviews > Sea of Glory: America's Voyage of Discovery, The U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842

I have read a few of Philbrick's books and have enjoyed all of them. As a New Englander it is not surprising that his nautical histories are especially engaging. Last Summer at a local book fair I ran across this book at a very attractive price and made the purchase. It has been sitting on my TBR shelf for several months and I thought it was about time to open it. I think this is the best Philbrick book that I have read. Not only is it a good history it is a history with some suspense and reads like a good fiction. The book opens at the beginning of the court martial of the leader of an American Naval expedition in the late 1830's. The story immediately leaves this court martial to trace the life of this accused leader, Charles Wilkes, that will ultimately lead to his present situation and the need to defend himself.

During the Jackson presidency Charles Wilkes is a lowly naval lieutenant with little hope of promotion in the peace time navy. In an effort to distinguish himself he becomes interested in surveying and cartography and is appointed to the Navy Dept. responsible for such matters. While in this assignment a voyage of exploration is mounted and Wilkes volunteers for the mission. The expedition's goal is to explore the Antarctic as well as specific Pacific islands and the Pacific Northwest with special attention to the mouth of the Columbia River. Leadership of the expedition becomes a problem when all the senior officers considered for the job turn it down. The only one left to consider for the job is Wilkes and when he is appointed the Naval establishment objects. While Wilkes' surveying and cartography skills make him an excellent choice for inclusion on the voyage he is too junior an officer to lead an endeavor of this magnitude and his skills as a sailor are seriously deficient. However, the choice is made and the voyage begins.

The details of the voyage are highly entertaining and informative but it is the human conflicts that develop that give the story its suspense. During the voyage Wilkes demonstrates serious character defects that render him a combination Capt. Bligh and Capt. Queeg. In order to demonstrate his command authority to the men on this expedition he consciously decides to adopt the manner of a martinet. He takes offense at trivial or imagined behavior and imposes severe punishments in thoughtless and ill-considered moments. His men go from adoring this commander to loathing him and when the expedition returns to the U.S. several of them bring charges against him while he brings charges against them. You read this book knowing that there is going to be a prosecution but because this is such an obscure bit of nautical history few will know what the outcome will be and what will become of all these gallant men. Further, you will wonder why this expedition and all of its considerable accomplishments is so unknown. Many of the charts prepared by this expedition were still being used by the Navy during WWII a century later. This is a uniquely entertaining history and well worth reading. Enjoy.