bAn engrossing biography of a Civil War naval hero. Ideal reading for those who have enjoyed the books of William C. Davis, Bruce Catton and Craig L. Symonds.b pbDavid Dixon Porter was the father of the modern United States Navy.b pHe was son of the distinguished naval leader, Commodore Porter, and his adoptive brother was the famous Union Admiral, David G. Farragut. Yet, it was not through nepotism that David Dixon Porter was able to rise to the top of the US Navy. pHis seamanship abilities first became apparent during the Mexican-American War when he planned and participated in the assault on Vera Cruz. pThe outbreak of the American Civil War allowed Porter to further demonstrate his brilliance as a naval strategist. Utilising massed firepower he neutralized Confederate forts in the Mississippi River delta and his strategies proved particularly effective during the battle of New Orleans and the siege of Vicksburg. pDuring the course of over sixty years in naval service Porter never s