About the Author

Tim McGrath is the author of the critically acclaimed biography John Barry: An American Hero in the Age of Sail. An avid sailor, McGrath has published articles in Naval History magazine. He has twice won the Commodore John Barry Book Award for his contribution to maritime literature, and has been a finalist for the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature.

Reviews

-In Tim McGrath's Give Me a Fast Ship, early American naval literature has found a proud new flagship.... It is rare for a one-volume work to fill the sails of personalities and battles separated from the modern reader by nearly two centuries, but Give Me a Fast Ship pulls it off beautifully. His descriptions are vivid, his commanders three-dimensional, and he evinces a genuine love of the world of white sails and black powder. When Give Me a Fast Ship drops anchor, the reader returns from an adventure cruise with respect for the men who fought the Revolution at sea.---The Wall Street Journal
-Give Me a Fast Ship is less a history of the birth of the U.S. Navy at the outbreak of the Revolution than it is a rousing collection of tales describing battles against the British, the Continental Congress and among rival captains.... Tim McGrath is a storyteller writ large... McGrath explains the details of 18th century navies with a deft pen and a decidedly nautical viewpoint. This is a delight to read.---The Kansas City Star
-[McGrath's] gripping descriptions of pursuit and combat at sea are the equal of any fiction, with the added virtue of being entirely true.... Solidly researched history presented with verve and gusto.---Kirkus (starred review)

-McGrath enhances his position among American Revolution naval war historians with this comprehensive, fast-paced account of the collection of armed merchantmen (non-naval vessel) manned by amateurs that took on the world's greatest naval power.---Publishers Weekly
-In telling this fascinating and sprawling tale, Tim McGrath never loses sight of the human dimension of his subject. He has mined archival sources largely neglected in previous histories, and the result is an exhaustively researched and fluently rendered account of the first incarnation of the American navy. Give Me a Fast Ship is a thoroughly readable history of an integral aspect of the campaign for American independence.---Ian W. Toll, New York Times Bestselling Author of Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy

-In Give Me a Fast Ship, naval historian Tim McGrath has given us a meticulous, adrenalin-filled account of the earliest days of the Continental Navy, and a John Paul Jones for our times and for the ages.---Laurence Bergreen, New York Times Bestselling Author of Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe and Columbus: The Four Voyages, 1492-1504



"In Tim McGrath's Give Me a Fast Ship, early American naval literature has found a proud new flagship.... It is rare for a one-volume work to fill the sails of personalities and battles separated from the modern reader by nearly two centuries, but Give Me a Fast Ship pulls it off beautifully. His descriptions are vivid, his commanders three-dimensional, and he evinces a genuine love of the world of white sails and black powder. When Give Me a Fast Ship drops anchor, the reader returns from an adventure cruise with respect for the men who fought the Revolution at sea."--The Wall Street Journal
"Give Me a Fast Ship is less a history of the birth of the U.S. Navy at the outbreak of the Revolution than it is a rousing collection of tales describing battles against the British, the Continental Congress and among rival captains.... Tim McGrath is a storyteller writ large... McGrath explains the details of 18th century navies with a deft pen and a decidedly nautical viewpoint. This is a delight to read."--The Kansas City Star
"[McGrath's] gripping descriptions of pursuit and combat at sea are the equal of any fiction, with the added virtue of being entirely true.... Solidly researched history presented with verve and gusto."--Kirkus (starred review)

"McGrath enhances his position among American Revolution naval war historians with this comprehensive, fast-paced account of the collection of armed merchantmen (non-naval vessel) manned by amateurs that took on the world's greatest naval power."--Publishers Weekly
"In telling this fascinating and sprawling tale, Tim McGrath never loses sight of the human dimension of his subject. He has mined archival sources largely neglected in previous histories, and the result is an exhaustively researched and fluently rendered account of the first incarnation of the American navy. Give Me a Fast Ship is a thoroughly readable history of an integral aspect of the campaign for American independence."--Ian W. Toll, New York Times Bestselling Author of Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy

"In Give Me a Fast Ship, naval historian Tim McGrath has given us a meticulous, adrenalin-filled account of the earliest days of the Continental Navy, and a John Paul Jones for our times and for the ages."--Laurence Bergreen, New York Times Bestselling Author of Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe and Columbus: The Four Voyages, 1492-1504



In Tim McGrath's Give Me a Fast Ship, early American naval literature has found a proud new flagship . It is rare for a one-volume work to fill the sails of personalities and battles separated from the modern reader by nearly two centuries, but Give Me a Fast Ship pulls it off beautifully. His descriptions are vivid, his commanders three-dimensional, and he evinces a genuine love of the world of white sails and black powder. When Give Me a Fast Ship drops anchor, the reader returns from an adventure cruise with respect for the men who fought the Revolution at sea. The Wall Street Journal
Give Me a Fast Ship is less a history of the birth of the U.S. Navy at the outbreak of the Revolution than it is a rousing collection of tales describing battles against the British, the Continental Congress and among rival captains . Tim McGrath is a storyteller writ large McGrath explains the details of 18th century navies with a deft pen and a decidedly nautical viewpoint. This is a delight to read. The Kansas City Star
[McGrath s] gripping descriptions of pursuit and combat at sea are the equal of any fiction, with the added virtue of being entirely true . Solidly researched history presented with verve and gusto. Kirkus (starred review)

McGrath enhances his position among American Revolution naval war historians with this comprehensive, fast-paced account of the collection of armed merchantmen (non-naval vessel) manned by amateurs that took on the world s greatest naval power. Publishers Weekly
In telling this fascinating and sprawling tale, Tim McGrath never loses sight of the human dimension of his subject. He has mined archival sources largely neglected in previous histories, and the result is an exhaustively researched and fluently rendered account of the first incarnation of the American navy. Give Me a Fast Ship is a thoroughly readable history of an integral aspect of the campaign for American independence. Ian W. Toll, New York Times Bestselling Author of Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy

InGive Me a Fast Ship, naval historian Tim McGrath has given us a meticulous, adrenalin-filled account of the earliest days of the Continental Navy, and a John Paul Jones for our times and for the ages. Laurence Bergreen, New York Times Bestselling Author of Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe and Columbus: The Four Voyages, 1492-1504

"

In Tim McGrath's "Give Me a Fast Ship," early American naval literature has found a proud new flagship . It is rare for a one-volume work to fill the sails of personalities and battles separated from the modern reader by nearly two centuries, but "Give Me a Fast Ship" pulls it off beautifully. His descriptions are vivid, his commanders three-dimensional, and he evinces a genuine love of the world of white sails and black powder. When "Give Me a Fast Ship" drops anchor, the reader returns from an adventure cruise with respect for the men who fought the Revolution at sea. "The Wall Street Journal"
"Give Me a Fast Ship" is less a history of the birth of the U.S. Navy at the outbreak of the Revolution than it is a rousing collection of tales describing battles against the British, the Continental Congress and among rival captains . Tim McGrath is a storyteller writ large McGrath explains the details of 18th century navies with a deft pen and a decidedly nautical viewpoint. This is a delight to read. "The Kansas City Star"
[McGrath s] gripping descriptions of pursuit and combat at sea are the equal of any fiction, with the added virtue of being entirely true . Solidly researched history presented with verve and gusto. "Kirkus" (starred review)
McGrath enhances his position among American Revolution naval war historians with this comprehensive, fast-paced account of the collection of armed merchantmen (non-naval vessel) manned by amateurs that took on the world s greatest naval power. "Publishers Weekly"
In telling this fascinating and sprawling tale, Tim McGrath never loses sight of the human dimension of his subject. He has mined archival sources largely neglected in previous histories, and the result is an exhaustively researched and fluently rendered account of the first incarnation of the American navy. "Give Me a Fast Ship" is a thoroughly readable history of an integral aspect of the campaign for American independence. Ian W. Toll, "New York Times" Bestselling Author of "Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy"
""
In"Give Me a Fast Ship," naval historian Tim McGrath has given us a meticulous, adrenalin-filled account of the earliest days of the Continental Navy, and a John Paul Jones for our times and for the ages. Laurence Bergreen, " New York Times "Bestselling Author of "Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe "and "Columbus: The Four Voyages, 1492-1504"

"

"In Tim McGrath's "Give Me a Fast Ship," early American naval literature has found a proud new flagship It is rare for a one-volume work to fill the sails of personalities and battles separated from the modern reader by nearly two centuries, but Give Me a Fast Ship pulls it off beautifully. His descriptions are vivid, his commanders three-dimensional, and he evinces a genuine love of the world of white sails and black powder." " The Wall Street Journal "
"Tim McGrath is a storyteller writ large... This is a delight to read."" The Kansas City Star"
"In "Give Me a Fast Ship," naval historian Tim McGrath has given us a meticulous, adrenalin-filled account of the earliest days of the Continental Navy, and a John Paul Jones for our times and for the ages." Laurence Bergreen, " New York Times "bestselling author of "Over the Edge of the World"
"[McGrath's] gripping descriptions of pursuit and combat at sea are equal of any fiction, with the added virtue of being entirely true... Solidly researched history presented with verve and gusto."" Kirkus, "starred review
"

"In Tim McGrath's "Give Me a Fast Ship", early American naval literature has found a proud new flagship... It is rare for a one-volume work to fill the sails of personalities and battles separated from the modern reader by nearly two centuries, but Give Me a Fast Ship pulls it off beautifully. His descriptions are vivid, his commanders three-dimensional, and he evinces a genuine love of the world of white sails and black powder." "--The Wall Street Journal "

"Tim McGrath is a storyteller writ large... This is a delight to read." "--The Kansas City Star"

"In "Give Me a Fast Ship", naval historian Tim McGrath has given us a meticulous, adrenalin-filled account of the earliest days of the Continental Navy, and a John Paul Jones for our times and for the ages." --"Laurence Bergreen, " New York Times "bestselling author of "Over the Edge of the World"

"[McGrath's] gripping descriptions of pursuit and combat at sea are equal of any fiction, with the added virtue of being entirely true... Solidly researched history presented with verve and gusto." "--Kirkus, "starred review

"In telling this fascinating and sprawling tale, Tim McGrath never loses sight of the human dimension of his subject. He has mined archival sources largely neglected in previous histories, and the result is an exhaustively researched and fluently rendered account of the first incarnation of the American navy. "Give Me a Fast Ship" is a thoroughly readable history of an integral aspect of the campaign for American independence."--Ian W. Toll, author of "Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy"

"In "Give Me a Fast Ship", naval historian Tim McGrath has given us a meticulous, adrenalin-filled account of the earliest days of the Continental Navy, and a John Paul Jones for our times and for the ages." --Laurence Bergreen, " New York Times" bestselling author of "Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe "and "Columbus: The Four Voyages"

"I've seldom enjoyed a work of historical nonfiction as much as "Give Me A Fast Ship." Here, Tim McGrath helps readers learn about a vital, if little-known aspect of the American Revolution and feel royally entertained at the same time. That's a rare combination, and "Give Me a Fast Ship "is a special book. After reading it, McGrath will be one of your favorite historians, as he now is of mine." --Jeff Guinn, "New York Times "bestselling author of "Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson"

"[McGrath's] gripping descriptions of pursuit and combat at sea are the equal of any fiction, with the added virtue of being entirely true... Solidly researched history presented with verve and gusto."--"Kirkus ("starred review)

"McGrath enhances his position among American Revolution naval war historians with this comprehensive, fast-paced account of the collection of armed merchantmen (non-naval vessel) manned by amateurs that took on the world's greatest naval power."--"Publishers Weekly"

"In "Give Me a Fast Ship," naval historian Tim McGrath has given us a meticulous, adrenalin-filled account of the earliest days of the Continental Navy, and a John Paul Jones for our times and for the ages." --Laurence Bergreen, " New York Times" bestselling author of "Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe "and "Columbus: The Four Voyages"
"I've seldom enjoyed a work of historical nonfiction as much as "Give Me A Fast Ship." Here, Tim McGrath helps readers learn about a vital, if little-known aspect of the American Revolution and feel royally entertained at the same time. That's a rare combination, and "Give Me a Fast Ship "is a special book. After reading it, McGrath will be one of your favorite historians, as he now is of mine." --Jeff Guinn, "New York Times "bestselling author of "Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson"
PRAISE FOR "JOHN BARRY: AN AMERICAN HERO IN THE AGE OF SAIL"
"Ashore as well as at sea, Tim McGrath paints an informative, engaging, and highly entertaining portrait of this worthy but neglected hero of American independence. The author shows us a man who was a magnificent embodiment of the common sense--and uncommon courage and dedication--that helped to transform age-old philosophical ideals into a new American reality. That such a work is long overdue makes its achievement all the more pleasurable."--"The Wall Street Journal"
"Expertly brought together...very readable and exhaustively researched...this authoritative biography brings new attention to a hero whose story had faded from national memory. It's a fresh look at a man worth remembering, and a great summer read."--"The Philadelphia Inquirer"
"McGrath employs exemplary narrative style in this work....In "John Barry," the author adroitly juxtaposes maritime history, narratives of naval combat, and early U.S. social history."--"New England"" Quarterly"
"A nearly indispensable addition to U.S. N

PRAISE FOR "JOHN BARRY: AN AMERICAN HERO IN THE AGE OF SAIL"

"Ashore as well as at sea, Tim McGrath paints an informative, engaging, and highly entertaining portrait of this worthy but neglected hero of American independence. The author shows us a man who was a magnificent embodiment of the common sense--and uncommon courage and dedication--that helped to transform age-old philosophical ideals into a new American reality. That such a work is long overdue makes its achievement all the more pleasurable."--"The Wall Street Journal"

"Expertly brought together...very readable and exhaustively researched...this authoritative biography brings new attention to a hero whose story had faded from national memory. It's a fresh look at a man worth remembering, and a great summer read."--"The Philadelphia Inquirer"

"McGrath employs exemplary narrative style in this work....In "John Barry", the author adroitly juxtaposes maritime history, narratives of naval combat, and early U.S. social history."--"New England"" Quarterly"

"A nearly indispensable addition to U.S. Navy collections."--"Booklist"