A Darker Sea: Master Commandant Putnam and the War of 1812, Haley - B

                                             I commented on the first book in this series over the summer. I believe it once again proves my point about well-done historical novels. This one opens up with an impressment, a word I've seen a thousand times, but never really gave serious thought to. When set forth in a novel at length and, in this instance, done on the high seas to a US captain when his merchantman is taken for no particular reason other than the capriciousness and greed of a British officer, it truly resonates. You can understand why Great Britain's piracy led to this war.  Our protagonist, Bliven Putnam, now Master Commandant, sails twice in the novel. His first is as an officer on the 'Constitution' and he narrates the legendary engagement with, and conquest of the 'Guerriere'. His second is on his own ship, the 'Tempest', which unfortunately is taken by the 'Java'. As it turns out, the 'Java' in turn is sunk by the 'Constitution' in January, 1813 and Putnam is returned home with ample time to appear again in this war.