Morning of Fire

Morning of Fire by Scott Ridley is the thrilling story of 18th century American explorer and expeditioner John Kedrick as he journeyed for land and trade in the Pacific. Set against the backdrop of one of the most exciting and uncertain times in world history, John Kendrick’s odyssey aboard his sailing ship Lady Washington carries him from the shores of New England across the unexplored waters of the Pacific Northwest to the contentious ports of China and the war-ravaged islands of Hawaii, all while avoiding intrigues and traps from the British and the Spanish. Morning of Fire is riveting American and naval history that brings the era of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson gloriously alive—a tale of danger, adventure, and discovery that fans of Nathaniel Philbrick will not want to miss.

This meticulously researched biography of a forgotten American hero reveals:

• A Forgotten Founding Era Figure: The incredible story of John Kendrick, a Revolutionary War privateer whose daring vision helped shape America’s destiny in the Pacific.
• The First American Pacific Expedition: A perilous journey from post-revolutionary Boston, around the treacherous Cape Horn, and into the uncharted waters of the Pacific Northwest.
• High-Stakes Global Intrigue: Set against a backdrop of collapsing empires, Kendrick must outwit Spanish and British rivals in a tense battle for control of the lucrative sea otter trade.
• Richly Detailed Naval History: A must-read for fans of Nathaniel Philbrick that brings the 18th-century world—from the contentious ports of China to the shores of Hawaii—gloriously to life.