Commodore David Dixon Porter made history when he took the USS "Essex" into the Pacific and crippled the British whaling industry during the War of 1812. While the first to suggest that the U.S. Navy force open Japan, he was also court-martialed for his unauthorized invasion of Spanish Puerto Rico. He later sought to reverse his fortunes in the Mexican Navy, and consistently suffered chaos in his personal and financial affairs. "Nothing Too Daring" offers an objective, thoroughly researched biography of one of America s most colorful naval officers."