Library of America - 54: Sea Tales

More about the book

In The Pilot (1824) and The Red Rover (1828), James Fenimore Cooper created the sea novel genre, showcasing his finest works in this collection. Each story is a thrilling adventure that captures the majesty of seafaring life, drawing from Cooper's own experiences as a sailor. At seventeen, he sailed on a merchant ship from New York to London and Spain, where he faced storms, pirates, and the impressment of sailors by a British warship. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. The Pilot is inspired by John Paul Jones’s daring tactics during the Revolutionary War, featuring a shadowy hero who leads American naval raids while concealing his identity. This novel introduces the “old salt” character, exemplified by Long Tom Coffin, a seasoned deckhand known for his nautical wisdom. The Red Rover, Cooper’s most theatrical work, is set in the mid-eighteenth century and follows a noble outcast turned pirate, who envisions America’s destiny as a sovereign nation. His exploits reflect the American dream of self-reliance and liberty from British rule. The Library of America, founded in 1979, aims to preserve America’s literary heritage through authoritative editions of significant writings.