Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile is the eighth book by American writer Herman Melville, first published in serial form in Putnam's Monthly magazine between July 1854 and March 1855. When Israel Potter leaves his plow to fight in the American Revolution, he is immediately thrown into the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he receives multiple wounds. When he continues to volunteer for further duty, this time at sea, more ill fortune awaits him. Israel is captured by the British Navy and taken to England, yet he makes his escape, triggering a series of extraordinary events and meetings with remarkable people.