This lovely hardcover is a near fine 1954 Book Club Edition published by Farrar, Straus & Young. The original dust jacket is in good condition, while the book itself—bound in red cloth—is immaculate and pristine. American Captain by Edison Marshall tells the story of Homer Whitman, a young sailor from Maine who, in 1796, sets out to escape a failed romance. His journey leads him through adventures in Malta, Tripoli, and the Sudan. Captured by Barbary pirates, Homer endures eighteen years of enslavement in Africa before discovering gold—wealth he ultimately uses to repay a longstanding debt. A sweeping tale of resilience, adventure, and redemption, American Captain remains a memorable example of mid-20th-century historical fiction, reflecting the era's fascination with heroism and exploration.