Jefferson's War: America's First War on Terror 1801-1805

Joseph Wheelan tackles the story of America fighting (occasionally) a war in the early 19th Century against Tripoli for its habit of attacking U.S. shipping in the Mediterranean, taking the ships for its own, and making slaves out of the crews - your basic piracy.The writing itself is fairly average, but the book is worth reading for a couple of reasons. First, it's fascinating to focus in on a time when the U.S. was not the biggest kid on the block and didn't have its military house in order. Two thirds of the time, there was little to nothing you could point to with pride as an American. Three of the four U.S. Naval commanders over the course of the war seemed to take the assignment more as an Italian holiday than as a war.Second, it's wonderful to learn about the individuals who did step up and begin to form the framework of a Navy that would hold its own quite admirably just a few years later against the British Navy in the War of 1812. The historic gems in the book are great, too. The 14 towns of Decatur in the U.S. are named after a naval hero from this war and the first ever U.S. military force to land on foreign soil did so in this war (Shores of Tripoli ring any bells?).Overall, this one is worth a read for any fan of history.

Wheelan is a journalist who has written a "popular" history of the US war against the Barbary Pirates in the early 19th century. It is a straightforward, non-Academic narrative history that provides context and describes the war against, primarily, Tripoli. He points out that after the Europeans had spent hundreds of years bribing and placating these north African Muslims, the US refused to play the game. At first, due to a lack of resources and the fact that the US was a confederation with a powerless central government, it had to pay tribute. However, after the central government was given the right to levy taxes, one of the first things it did was raise a Navy, and the primary threat was the Barbary Coast. One of Jefferson's first actions as president was to send the Navy in harms way. Although the first two Navy commanders were too timid for the mission, Preeble put teeth to the threat. Later, an overland expedition led by former Army officer William Eaton drove Tripoli to sue for peace. Of note are the similarities between the way today's Islamic terrorists behave when compared to the Islamic pirates of the time.

Shines a light on a very interesting but forgotten conflict in early US history. Used copy arrived in condition advertised

A well written and thorough book. It was very interesting to learn about the first US overseas war. It's amazing that the problems in that part of the world have not changed one bit since 1805. The author has a ton of historical facts and relates them superbly. Don't however be taken in by some of his criticisms of Jefferson. Lately people seem to be trying to judge historical figures from 200 years ago by our standards today. It just doesn't work. It's a minor sideline of this book and not too distracting. This is well worth reading.

I had to read this for a required part of training in the US Navy. It was a fantastic read and I learned a lot about things that seem to be part of what caused tensions in the middle east. Read it for insight, even if you're not in the Navy or the military.

I thoroughly enjoyed this account of a little studied and largely forgotten event in our history. The decisive results obtained by our courageous ancestors have important contemporary lessons. The kindle edition is truly excellent and I strongly recommend it.

Great read! It's impossible not to wish for men like these in today's times. It fills the heart with longing when love and pride in our country was manifest.

Love it. I read 3 on the Barbary war and this one was the most concise and enjoyable. I recommend it fully to anyone interested in history.

good