Captain Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) was an actual 19th-century British naval hero who lived a saga worthy of the novels of C.S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian. He survived fifty naval battles on the crack frigate Imperieuse under Lord Cochrane--the real-life model for Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey. In addition to plenty of cannonfire, battle strategy, peril, and passion--liberally sprinkled with wit and fine turns of phrase--Marryat's real-life naval experiences lend his novels a truly remarkable authenticity.