The Private Journal of William Reynolds: United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842

By Nathaniel Philbrick, William Reynolds, Thomas L. Philbrick

Book Overview

One of the finest nineteenth-century first-person narratives of a sea voyage in existence, and a principle source for Sea of Glory , The Private Journal of William Reynolds brings to life the boisterous world traversed by the six vessels that comprised America's first ocean-going voyage of discovery, the U.S. Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842. With great eloquence and verve Midshipman William Reynolds describes the harrowing 87,000-mile, four-year circuit of the globe, and relates the story of how the abusive commander of the Ex. Ex., Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, gradually lost the support of his crew. With a seaman's understanding and an artist's appreciation for the wild beauty that surrounds him, the Journal is a tour de force combining meticulous observations with a young man's sense of wonder and, on occasion, terror as he is tossed about by the tremendous seas.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0143039059
• ISBN13: 9780143039051
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher