In this spirited saga, a promising youngsoldier is wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill, sets sail with John Paul Jones, and undertakes espionage at the behest of Benjamin Franklin. Herman Melville drew upon the obscure memoirs of a Revolutionary War veteran to create his only historical novel, combining Israel Potter's real-life reminiscences with fictional incidents that lead his hero into encounters with noteworthy figures of colonial America. Recounted with humor and zest, this adventure abounds in sea battles, prison escapes, and other episodes of derring-do.

The Village Voice acclaimed Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile as "Melville's most vigorous work: hilarious, tender, expressive, a fierce and rollicking chronicle . . . of brilliantly sustained comedy." This edition also includes Melville's source material,Life and Remarkable Adventures of Israel R. Potter.