Commander Will Cushing

Starred review from August 4, 2014
Most Americans know the major figures of the Civil War—Lincoln, Lee, Grant—while it seems like only the hardcore Civil War buffs know about naval action during that war. Fortunately, journalist Malanowski (And the War Came) remedies that with this gripping, accessible biography of Union naval officer Lt. Cdr. William Barker Cushing. Reckless and fearless at the most opportune moments, Cushing possessed traits that enabled him to rise from class clown at the Naval Academy to a famed lieutenant commander by the end of his short life. He became a national hero known for his dangerous exploits, perhaps the most famous of which was taking down the seemingly invincible Confederate ironclad Albemarle, surviving the battle by crawling through a swamp and reappearing after everyone thought he was dead. Malanowski’s nimble prose serves the action scenes perfectly and gives Cushing’s battles the weight and presentation they deserve. At these points, the book no longer feels like the typical historical read, but has the page-turning excitement of a thriller. Malanowski ends with a brief reflection on what this hero could have become had he lived longer than his 32 years. Readers will admire both Cushing’s daring and genius as well as the author’s talent for capturing the full scope of them.

September 1, 2014

Malanowski (And the War Came) rescues from relative obscurity a Union officer, who in addition to notable service at Hampton Roads and Fort Fisher, devised and led a torpedo attack on October 27 and 28, 1864, that sunk the Confederate ironclad Albemarle. Scholars of the military undoubtedly already know about Will Cushing (1842-74), whom the naval academy forced to leave for disruptive behavior and poor grades before graduation, yet whom Navy Secretary Gideon Welles later reinstated. General history enthusiasts, however, may learn of his exploits for the first time. Cushing, often the youngest to achieve his ranks, demonstrated how otherwise rambunctious behavior can lead to successful battle initiatives. Based on extensive primary source research (the author uses explanatory footnotes but no reference notes) conducted in Annapolis, Washington, DC, and Cushing's home state of Wisconsin, this character study of an exuberant, risk-taking individual is the latest, arguably most complete rendition of his life. Malanowski includes Cushing's relationship with his three brothers in the military, his postwar family life with his wife and two daughters, his world travels and later naval commissions, and death at 32, while head of the Washington Navy Yard, from possible effects of war-related injuries. VERDICT A real-life story series of adventures for Civil War buffs and readers interested in 19th-century military studies.--Frederick J. Augustyn Jr., Lib. of Congress, Washington, DC

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