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Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History | Brian Kilmeade
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. Brad Thor 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 the Western 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. As they did in their previous bestseller, "George Washington s Secret Six," Kilmeade and Yaeger have transformed a nearly forgotten slice of history into a dramatic story that will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next. Among the many suspenseful episodes: .Lieutenant Andrew Sterett s ferocious cannon battle on the high seas against the treacherous pirate ship "Tripoli." .Lieutenant Stephen Decatur s daring night raid of an enemy harbor, with the aim of destroying an American ship that had fallen into the pirates hands. .General William Eaton s unprecedented five-hundred-mile land march from Egypt to the port of Derne, where the Marines launched a surprise attack and an American flag was raised in victory on foreign soil for the first time. Few today remember these men and other heroes who inspired the Marine Corps hymn: From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli, we fight our country s battles in the air, on land and sea. "Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates "recaptures this forgotten war that changed American history with a real-life drama of intrigue, bravery, and battle on the high seas."
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K.Wielechowski
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Mehso-so

This was an interesting look at a little-known chapter in US history.
The young USA was tired of getting harassed by pirates in the Mediterranean and were unwilling to pay tribute like other nations so they decided fighting them was the way to go.
I question some of the choices the author made with quotes from primary sources. Most seemed to be there just for “color” rather than adding any actual info.

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MariaW
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I am bit late late for #wondrouswednesday by @Eggs
Thanks @julesG for the tag.

1. The one tagged above. Currently reading another nonfictional one. I am always switching between nonfictional and fictional.
2. 👍
3. I do read most genres, it is easier to name the genres I don‘t like: horror and thriller.

Eggs Thanks for playing 🤗📚🥳 3y
28 likes1 comment
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MariaW
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So, they put the contemporary paintings and drawings at the end of the book. Would have been to have alongside the parts of the text which they refer to instead of having a look at them at of context.

Texreader This was a fascinating read. I think I did the audio or kindle because I didn‘t have any pictures. 4y
MariaW @Texreader Must have been audio because I read it on kindle. But you had to skip the acknowledgments. 4y
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MariaW
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Pickpick

I finished this one in one day. It was a very entersining and easy read. I‘ve read some feedbacks which stated the it was too superficial. But I think what it makes perfect for a reader like me. I didn‘t not know about the topic before @EadieB posted it, got interested and read a nice overview. After that you can decide whether to get more detailed books on the topic or not. I won‘t, but it still was an very interesting read.

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MariaW
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I really like that every chapter starts with a quote of one of the people involved. 😊

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MariaW
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Since I finished a novel yesterday, today is goning to start with a non-fiction book. I always try to read both types. This one was a recommendation on Litsy by @EadieB . So I am giving it a try. 😊

EadieB @MariaW I think you will like it! Interesting read! 4y
MariaW @EadieB I am looking forward to it. 😊 4y
40 likes2 comments
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MarkoPDX
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Mehso-so

Argh, matey! The Tripoli pirates led to the establishment of a regular navy in the United States. This telling of the story was a quick, easy read. It wasn't a scholarly look, which I appreciated. I ain't in school anymore. The conclusion was that we need to have a strong military to deter the rest of the world. Call me a big'o liberal, but I don't fully agree with that anymore. I would have when I was still in the Navy.

#History #NavalHistory

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iread2much
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Panpan

Very frustrating to read, the citations are not only lacking, but when they exist are almost useless because so incomplete. The authors make a ton of assumptions and don‘t provide complete or even partial background for a lot of what is written (always bad, but less so w/ CITATIONS). Doesn‘t provide any real insight into the war. The writing style is fine, if confusing, but I am left with questions and no answers. 1.5/5 stars.

iread2much If one of my students turned this in, I would tell them, good first try, and then send them to the writing center to help with the structure and very clearly explain and teach them about why citations are not only important but critical. Then I would expect then to rewrite and resubmit. This is by grown men who should know better. (edited) 4y
13 likes1 comment
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Kaila-ann
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Pickpick

An interesting read about a part of history that doesn‘t really get talked about much. Shortly after gaining our independence, the new US government was being tested by the pirates from the Barbary coast. The book explores the reaction to these attacks, the founding of the US Navy and part of the Marine Corp Hymn.

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli.

EadieB Great review! I enjoyed this book too! 4y
23 likes1 comment
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EadieB
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#LMPBC #GroupE #Round9

@Hestapleton Mailing this book to you and one more from your TBR list. Hope you enjoy them.

Hestapleton You are too, too kind!! I put my book in the mail today too! 4y
iread2much Mine is in the mail as well! 4y
See All 13 Comments
Hestapleton @EadieB I haven‘t gotten the book yet - would you mind checking your tracking so I can see if I need to hackle my post office? 4y
EadieB @Hestapleton 8/26/2020 6:20 PM - Label Created - PERKASIE,PA
8/26/2020 6:46 PM - Acceptance - PERKASIE,PA
8/26/2020 10:40 PM - Electronic Shipping Info Received - PERKASIE,PA
8/27/2020 12:39 PM - Acceptance - PERKASIE,PA
9/1/2020 2:39 PM - Enroute - JERSEY CITY,NJ
9/4/2020 1:35 PM - Enroute - CINCINNATI,OH
9/5/2020 10:40 AM - Enroute - INDIANAPOLIS,IN
(edited) 4y
EadieB @Hestapleton Post office has been so slow lately! Disgraceful! 4y
Hestapleton @EadieB I‘m just glad it wasn‘t lost!! Thank you!! 4y
EadieB @Hestapleton You're welcome! Just slow traveling! 4y
Hestapleton @EadieB it finally came! Thank you for the Moriarty! She‘s one of my favorite summer authors! 4y
EadieB @Hestapleton You‘re welcome! Enjoy! 4y
Hestapleton @iread2much I mailed this today! Should be there Monday. Forgot to take a picture 😬 4y
iread2much Yay! Thank you! 4y
46 likes13 comments
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EadieB
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Pickpick

Book about intrigue, bravery & battle on the high seas. The nation was in deep debt & the economy needed to grow but the Barbary pirates were attacking ships and holding sailors as slaves and demanding ransom & tribute payments. Jefferson decided to send US navy‘s warships and Marines to blockade Tripoli and take care of the problem.
This was a very interesting historical account of the battles that inspired the Marine Corp hymn. Recommended.

iread2much I can‘t wait to read this!!! 4y
EadieB @iread2much You will get it in October. 4y
55 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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EadieB
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#LMPBC #GroupE #Round9

@Kaila-ann Your book arrived very quickly. I‘m looking forward to reading it and then sending it on to @Hestapleton Hope all the other members of this group are enjoying their books!

Kaila-ann @EadieB I‘m glad it made it so quickly!! 4y
iread2much So excited for our books! 4y
EadieB @iread2much Just finished and enjoyed this one and will be sending it next week to @Hestapleton @Kaila-ann 4y
41 likes1 stack add3 comments
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CrowCAH
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❤️🤍💙 Happy 4th of July, American Littens!!! ❤️🤍💙 Here‘s a book about our first navy ships and our marines! 🇺🇸

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Savedbygrace
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Pickpick

Very informative and well written. A reminder and description of the war for free trade that has been going on since the beginning of the nation! Looking forward to reading more books by these exceptional authors. 👍

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IanReadsSome
Pickpick

Cool relatively short read about a time that I know very little about, the 1700‘s after 1776. No idea that America was getting bossed around in the oceans, and I like that this book refers to lots of journals to paint a picture of what people were like 200 years ago. My favorite part is when they talk about the Philadelphia (the ship)

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Savedbygrace
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1. After a long semester I am looking forward to more time with my family!
2. Hmm...not really, I have a lot of older books planned for my summer reading
3. Pasta salad!
4. This was interesting to find out...the hottest day on record in my area was 104° !
@laurenslibrary @lover.of.the.classics
#thursdaysurvey

lover.of.the.classics WHAT?!?!?! You are not most looking forward to coming here?!?! To see me?!?! I feel hurt! 😂 6y
Savedbygrace @lover.of.the.classics You ARE a part of my family!!! ❤😉 6y
4 likes2 comments
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Texreader
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Pickpick

I think I understand the low Litsy score, though no one says so: the acknowledgement. The author is a Fox News host. He cites as inspiration anti-hero Roger Ailes! I‘ve never watched Fox but I know who HE is. But I won‘t throw the baby out with the bath water. The book is still an excellent introduction to the topic, well researched from original sources and written. I‘ve met many a real hero in this book. Recommended, but skip the credits.

suvata I really liked that book too. Very interesting. 6y
Texreader @suvata I know! Very interesting about very serious scary stuff going on at the time but that has been so overshadowed by everything else that was going on at the time. 6y
75 likes2 comments
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Texreader
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This is a great quick read I should finish today or at least this weekend. I was a history major and the Barbary Wars were unknown to me. I am enjoying the stories and writing style. I‘m astonished at the “low” score here on Litsy but it seems several were looking for textbook depth, which you won‘t find here and certainly not what I‘m looking for. This is a perfect introduction to the topic.

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Texreader
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I read a fair amount tonight from this one. It‘s a very fast easy read and I‘m learning about the Barbary Wars and our new country‘s first Navy, of which I knew nothing. I‘m learning about the founding of the Marines, the whys of a part of the Marine uniform, and the basis for some of the words from the Marine Hymn:

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli; ...

And I‘m learning more about my favorite president.

Crazeedi I've heard this is a good book 6y
Texreader @Crazeedi It‘s really good so far. 6y
65 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Texreader
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Next up: a purchase in March while in the Denver airport.

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daniwithtea
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The narrator of this audiobook is driving me nuts. He sounds like a sportscaster, or someone doing the voiceover for a show on Spike TV.

Lea Ugh a bad narrator is the worst! 6y
23 likes1 stack add1 comment
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InLibrisVeritas
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I went to the library bag sale today and came home with a ton of books. I'll have to take pictures tomorrow when I have better lighting.

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SledgeReader
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If I can‘t be a pirate, I can at least read about them!

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RamsFan1963
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Mehso-so

So disappointing. I was hoping for something more in-depth, but this just skimmed the subject (at 207 pgs you can't expect much) and I found the historical analysis a little black & white (Americans Good, Muslims Bad) for my tastes.

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BethwithBooks
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This picture captures so many of my favorite things at once, the beach, books and the man of the house. My heart was fit to burst on this perfect beautiful day. Happy litsiversay @DebinHawaii !!!!! #debsstack

DebinHawaii It looks like a wonderful day and some wonderful favorites! 💜💜💜 Thank you for the Litsyversary greetings and for playing along! 👍😀 7y
Cinfhen My guy just read the same book! And I agree...everything about your picture is 😻 7y
28 likes2 comments
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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post 7! #BEA17 edition! Obviously from the title, this is an account of Jefferson's confrontation with the Barbary pirates, who had been looting and ransoming America's (and many other nations') shipping. While it provides a broad scope to the events, the book also looks at particular stories, such as Stephen Decatur's near-suicidal mission to burn down the grounded USS Philadelphia. Not-so-dry history. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

LitsyGoesPostal 😊👍🏻 7y
68 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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speljamr
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Mehso-so

Interesting summary, but not a very deep historical look. A lot is glossed over and the writing is on about a 6th grade level. There exist better books about these events. #history

Sydsavvy Ok, that's how I get about the first. 7y
4 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BrainyHeroine
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So glad that I can recommend books to friends and hear how much they love them! Coming off a Hamilton high? Find out more about Thomas Thomas!!

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joanofarkansas1
Pickpick

❤️❤️❤️

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WanderingBookaneer
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Mehso-so

This was a very quick read because the war itself was, according to the book's portrayal, brief. Interesting anecdotes about the Tripoli pirates and the creation of the US Navy after Washington dismantled it. I particularly enjoyed the trivia at the end.

MrBook Good to know! Thank you for sharing! 8y
12 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Purplerosiepage
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Pickpick

A fascinating book about a forgotten period in history. The author narrated the audiobook, and he is so earnest that at times it felt like he was yelling at me. The story was so interesting though that I didn't mind after awhile.