Andrew Foote played an important role in riverine operations during the first year or so of the war, taking Fort Henry, and supporting U.S. Grant’s operations against Fort Donelson and at Shiloh, and John Pope’s operations against Island No. 10 in the winter and spring of 1862. But he died rather suddenly, and his impressive record was eclipsed by that of other commanders. Tucker’s biography, apparently the first ever about this interesting officer, covers not only his services during the Civil War, but devotes a great of attention to his early life and rise through the ranks of the young U.S. Navy. A good book.