Thomas Jefferson And The Tripoli Pirates

This is the little-known story of how a newly independent nation was challenged by four Muslim powers and what happened ... (more)

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 fifteen 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 U.S. 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. (less)

-- George Washington's Secret Six Lieutenant Andrew Sterett's ferocious cannon battle on the high seas against the treac... (more)

-- George Washington's Secret Six Lieutenant Andrew Sterett's ferocious cannon battle on the high seas against the treacherous pirate ship -- Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates From the Hardcover edition. (less)

-- George Washington's Secret Six Lieutenant Andrew Sterett's ferocious cannon battle on the high seas against the treac... (more)

-- George Washington's Secret Six Lieutenant Andrew Sterett's ferocious cannon battle on the high seas against the treacherous pirate ship -- Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates From the Hardcover edition. (less)

"Another blockbuster! Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates reads like an edge-of-your-seat, page-turning thriller. Y... (more)

"Another blockbuster! Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates reads like an edge-of-your-seat, page-turning thriller. You will love this book and also wonder why so few people know this story. No one captures the danger, intrigue, and drama of the American Revolution and its aftermath like Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger." {u2014}Brad ThorThis is the little-known story of how a newly indepen{u00AD}dent 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 coun{u00AD}try could afford. Over the previous fifteen years, as a diplomat... (less)