Richard Carvel

In the spring of 1775, grief, love, and revolution pull Richard away from Gordon's Pride and into a world remade by war. After Mr. Swain's death, he is torn between his devotion to Dorothy and his loyalty to Patty, whose quiet devotion leads to a tender, heartbreaking farewell before he joins the militia. News of Dorothy's family troubles and the decline of the Manners household only deepens his sense of loss, even as fate brings him to Annapolis and into the orbit of the irrepressible Captain John Paul Jones. Richard's reunion with Jones becomes a turning point: over candid conversation and a dazzling public introduction, Jones reveals his fierce hatred of monarchy, his prophetic faith in an American navy, and his gift for inspiring men to believe the colonies can challenge Britain at sea. The story then follows Jones through the Revolutionary War, from frustration and hardship to daring raids and the legendary battle between the Bon homme Richard and the Serapis. Amid fire, flooding, mutiny, and chaos, Jones's command restores hope and secures victory. Afterward, Richard awakens in London, where illness, family upheaval, and a long-awaited reunion with Dorothy bring the novel's romance, sacrifice, and moral courage into sharp, moving focus. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.