"The Pilot" is a novel by J. Fenimore Cooper, published in 1824. The story takes place during the American Revolution and follows the adventures of a mysterious and skilled pilot, who assists the American navy in their fight against the British. The main character, known only as the Pilot, is an enigmatic figure who navigates ships through treacherous waters and leads the American navy to victory against the British. He is accompanied by a young sailor, Long Tom Coffin, who becomes his loyal and devoted companion. As the war progresses, the Pilot and his crew embark on a dangerous mission to steal a British ship and bring it back to the American fleet. Along the way, they encounter numerous challenges and face difficult decisions that test their courage and loyalty. The novel provides a thrilling and action-packed portrayal of naval warfare during the American Revolution, while also exploring themes of patriotism, loyalty, and the human cost of war. It is widely regarded as one of Cooper's finest works and a classic of American literature.
James Fenimore Cooper was born on September 15, 1789 was an American author. He wrote authentic romantic stories portraying colonist and Native characters from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries. His most popular work is The Last of the Mohicans, often regarded as a masterpiece. James Fenimore Cooper was the 11th offspring of William Cooper and Elizabeth (Fenimore) Cooper. He wedded Susan Augusta de Lancey at Mamaroneck, Westchester Area, New York on January 1, 1811. The Coopers had seven children, but only five of them live to adulthood. The Last of the Mohicans (1826) was written in New York City where Cooper and his family resided. It became one of the most read American books of the nineteenth century. The series includes the racial friendship of Natty Bumppo with the Delaware Indians. In 1826, Cooper moved his family to Europe to acquire more income from his books. He became friends with painters Samuel Morse and Gilbert du Motier and Marquis de Lafayette. In 1832, he entered the list as a political writer in a series of letters to Le National. In 1833, Cooper got back to the US and distributed "A Letter to My Countrymen" where he gave his criticism of different social and political mores. He died on September 14, 1851, the day preceding his 62nd birthday. He was buried in the Christ Episcopal Churchyard, where his dad, William Cooper, was buried. Cooper's wife Susan could live by a couple of months and was buried by his side at Cooperstown.
