Morning of Fire: America's Epic First Journey into the Pacific

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.

• An Epic Maritime Voyage: Follow Captain John Kendrick and the crew of the Lady Washington on a groundbreaking journey from New England, around the treacherous Cape Horn, and into the uncharted waters of the Pacific.
• The First American Expedition to the Pacific: Discover the untold story of America’s initial foray into global trade and exploration, a desperate venture undertaken in the uncertain years of the early American republic.
• High-Seas Geopolitical Intrigue: Set in the era of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, this history chronicles Kendrick's struggle against the imperial ambitions of the Spanish and British empires in a battle for control of the Pacific.
• An Age of Sail Adventure: Perfect for fans of Nathaniel Philbrick, this meticulously researched account brings the late 18th century to life with the vividness of a great historical novel.

The Forgotten True Story of America’s Daring First Exploration of the Pacific

Just four years after the Revolutionary War and more than a decade before Lewis and Clark’s expedition, a remarkable—but now forgotten—plan was hatched along the docks of Boston Harbor. Two ships carrying the flag of the newly formed United States would be dispatched in 1787 on a landmark adventure around South America’s Cape Horn and into the largely uncharted waters of the Pacific Ocean, far past the western edge of the continent. The man chosen to lead the expedition was Captain John Kendrick, a master navigator who had made his name as a charismatic privateer during the Revolution. On the harrowing seven-year voyage that followed, Kendrick would establish the first American outpost in the remote Pacific Northwest, sail into a deadly cauldron of intertribal war in the Hawaiian Islands, wage a single-ship campaign to hold off advances of the British and Spanish empires, and narrowly escape capture by samurai in Japan before meeting his own violent and tragic end thousands of miles from home. Brilliantly brought to life by historian Scott Ridley, Morning of Fire is a startling rediscovery of a thrilling lost chapter of American history.

“A tale of maritime adventure, intrigue and high-stakes diplomacy... Solid.... Important.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Scott Ridley’s work on John Kendrick and his voyages to the Northwest, Hawaii, and Canton mark an important contribution to the unfolding story of the relationship between America and China...A great story.” - John Pomfret, The Washington Post, author of Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China

“Scholarship and good story telling don’t always come in the same literary package, but when they do, the rewards for readers are enormous. Scott Ridley, who lives on the Cape, has just published a book that blends the two beautifully.... Remarkable.” - The Martha’s Vineyard Times

“Compelling.... An edge-of-your-seat adventure about a piece of history you might not know much about.” - Cape Cod Times

“Scott Ridley brings to life a fascinating and largely forgotten episode in the United States’ early maritime history. A tale of exploration, desperation, and outrageous ambition, Morning of Fire is a terrific and meticulously researched read.” - Nathaniel Philbrick, bestselling author of Sea of Glory and In The Heart of the Sea