WOLF OF THE DEEP Raphael Semmes and the Notorious Confederate Raider

Raphael Semmes was a U.S. Navy officer from Maryland during the first half of the nineteenth century. He distinguished himself during the Mexican War but was frustrated by the tradition-oriented promotion system of the Navy. When the Civil War broke out, he took command of a small steam-and-sail raider built in England and for two years terrorized Yankee shipping in the North Atlantic. He was a colorful character but is largely known only to Civil War historians. Stephen Fox’s biography captures the multiple sides of the naval officer. Barrett Whitener is an able reader. His tone is even, although not somnolent. He adds just a hint of an accent to direct quotes, whether Southern or Irish, a technique that allows listeners to easily distinguish these passages. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]