"The challenges we face today are not so different from Jefferson's, and we've much to learn from his boldness and from the courage of the marines and sailors who died to protect their country." (Brian Kilmeade)
This is the little-known story of how a newly independent nation was challenged by four Muslim powers and what happened when America's third president decided to stand up to intimidation.
When Thomas Jefferson became president in 1801, America faced a crisis. The new nation was deeply in debt and needed its economy to grow quickly, but its merchant ships were under attack. Pirates from North Africa's Barbary Coast routinely captured American sailors and held them as slaves, demanding ransom and tribute payments far beyond what the new country could afford.
Over the previous 15 years, as a diplomat and then as secretary of state, Jefferson had tried to work with the Barbary states (Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, and Morocco).
Unfortunately, he found it impossible to negotiate with people who believed their religion justified the plunder and enslavement of non-Muslims. These rogue states would show no mercy - at least not while easy money could be made by extorting America, France, England, and other powers. So President Jefferson decided to move beyond diplomacy. He sent the US Navy's new warships and a detachment of marines to blockade Tripoli - launching the Barbary Wars and beginning America's journey toward future superpower status.
As they did in their previous best seller, George Washington's Secret Six, Kilmeade and Yaeger have transformed a nearly forgotten slice of history into a dramatic story that will keep you listening to find out what happens next.
You need to be a member of Times Past to add comments!
Replies
Thanks Thomas.
Kilmeade and Yaeger's previous volume has been HEAVILY discounted as a fictional retelling of semi-historical persons and events.
I'd read this volume with a an equal dose of grano salis.
I think most history has to be discounted these days. They are changing it as fast as they are taking words out of the dictionary. I run down everything I read.
Thomas
Are you guys telling me that Lincoln the Vampire Slayer isn't an accurate retelling of historical fact? :)
Thanks for sharing.
The difference is that these authors CLAIM that their work is non-fiction.
Sadly, it's not. I first became suspicious when my local Fox News station began trumpeting this book as "PROOF!!! that we have been at war with Islam for 200 years!!!"
I haven't watched television in years,wouldn't have one in the house.So I have no idea what they're saying.
Here are a few more books if anyone wants to find out more on the subject. It makes most interesting reading.
The Barbary Wars: American Independence in the Atlantic World, by Frank Lambert (2005); Jefferson’s War: America’s First War on Terror 1801–1805, by Joseph Wheelan (2003); To the Shores of Tripoli: The Birth of the U.S. Navy and Marines, by A. B. C. Whipple (1991, republished 2001); and Victory in Tripoli: How America’s War with the Barbary Pirates Established the U.S. Navy and Shaped a Nation, by Joshua E. London (2005)
I also recall having listened to a podcast from the Pritzker Military Library that went into some detail regarding American military action in North Africa in the last two hundred+ years including Teddy Roosevelt's action in Algeria and Patton's in Tunisia.
Thanks semoshorts, very interesting. I do love history. Great information.
Thomas
Thank you!
Thank you, Thomas...sounds very interesting!!