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207th out of 298 books
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120 voters
Jefferson's War: America's First War on Terror 1801-1805
Author Joseph Wheelan has marvelously captured the story of America’s war against the Barbary pirates, our first war against terror and the nations that support it. The Barbary pirates, a Muslim enemy from Tripoli, attacked European and American merchant shipping with impunity. Jefferson ordered the U.S. Navy to Tripoli in 1801 to repel "force with force." The Barbary War...more
Paperback, 464 pages
Published
September 21st 2004
by PublicAffairs
(first published September 21st 2001)
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A well-written, readable history of important events in the early development of the USA, its struggle against the Barbary pirates to whom European nations had paid tribute for centuries, and the unspeakable cruelty with which these piratical nations treated their captives who were enslaved or sold as slaves if not ransomed. It is particularly enthralling for its description of the outstanding military and personnel management skills of the U. S. Marine's first hero who led a 500+ mile desert ma...more
The title of this book caught my attention – did anyone else know that the United States had a war on terror prior to the current one? I sure didn’t. I also knew a scant amount about the Barbary pirates, and what I did know was certainly much more current than the early 1800’s. While I was initially concerned that the title might just be drawing on current events, this book was quite interesting and informative.
This is a war that I was never taught about in school, and I think I can safely assum...more
This is a war that I was never taught about in school, and I think I can safely assum...more
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Jefferson's War is an insightful look into an over looked period of American History.
In 1800, on the cusp of Thomas Jefferson's election, the United States was still finding itself. Having survived the American Revolution, the upheaval of the establishment of the Constitution, and the early struggles of the 1790s, the United States now faced the difficult task of establishing itself on the world theater. The Barbary War of 1801-1805 enabled the US to do just that.
Wheelan does an excellent job...more
In 1800, on the cusp of Thomas Jefferson's election, the United States was still finding itself. Having survived the American Revolution, the upheaval of the establishment of the Constitution, and the early struggles of the 1790s, the United States now faced the difficult task of establishing itself on the world theater. The Barbary War of 1801-1805 enabled the US to do just that.
Wheelan does an excellent job...more
Contrary to what you might expect from reading the title of this book, there's very little Jefferson in here. Which is a good thing because I despise Thomas Jefferson. And, if this book were about him I'd have to go off on a harangue about what a hypocritical sneaky son-of-a-bitch he is. Instead, I get to ramble about how great pirates and broadsides and 19th century sailing vessels are. Also the word scuttle is the shit.
The primary (and really only) problem with this book is the introduction wh...more
The primary (and really only) problem with this book is the introduction wh...more
Little known to students of history or casual readers, America was embroiled in this first war of terror in North Africa over two hundred years ago providing naval experience for the next military adventure: The War of 1812. A solid look into this distant and largely unknown war along with a diverse cast of characters makes this book a swashbuckling read full of suspense and intrigue. There are a handful of typographical errors though, but it is still an enjoyable and captivating page-turner.
After being educated in the shadow of Thomas Jefferson, I joined the general chorus of reverence. However, the more I learn about the man and his methods, the less I like him. In fact, as the first Republican, he helped set the south on it's current path. However, he also understood that paying tribute to terrorists is ultimately much more costly than fighting them. Ronald Reagan, one of the founding fathers of modern Republicanism, could have taken a page from that book.
A solid history of the Barbary War. The premise of the author is that this was the United States' first war on terrorism. A little stretch there, but there are some striking similarities. The theme that comes out though, is that this war established the Navy as a fighting force, prepared us for the War of 1812, and instilled confidence in a new republic. The book not only covers the military engagements, but more importantly, covers the diplomatic negotiations and politics of the Jefferson admin...more
I overdo it when I review books, so...Madison just about said it all when concluding in 1815 what Jefferson had imperfectly and grudgingly--but fairly committedly--prosecuted in 1805: "It is a principle incorporated into the settled policy of America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute."
Really readable history. High adventure and a real eye opener as to how things were during this time. It was enlightening to learn about some of our original Naval heros as well as the first landing and heroism of the very small Marine Crops of the time. I was fascinated throughout.
Moves along nicely. While the topic is broadly familiar, this book contains many interesting details. The only problem is the rather forced analogy between Bush and Jefferson. If Wheelan had left that alone, the reader would have formed a number of comparisons on his own.
Narration is good.
Narration is good.
An enjoyable, entertaining read. I was totally unfamiliar with the brazen piracy that the Barbary Coast engaged in during the years immediately before the war of 1812.
The book offered a great explanation of not only the "whos and wheres" but the "why" as well. The reader will end up with an excellent understanding of the events that led up to and the ultimate resolution of the Barbary War.
The book offered a great explanation of not only the "whos and wheres" but the "why" as well. The reader will end up with an excellent understanding of the events that led up to and the ultimate resolution of the Barbary War.
Jan 13, 2011
Steven
added it
Great read. Like the thought of this being the first "war on terror". When terrorists hurt business/trade, its time to send them a message. Sound familiar?
A fresh, post-911 look at Jefferson's war against the Barbary Pirates of North Africa.
Jingoistic nonsense with Orientalistic overtones.
This book had little to do with Jefferson. In fact, Jefferson was the furthest thing on my mind as the details of this war started to unfold. My sister had just joined the Marines as I was reading this and I called her to rave about all of the information in this book. She of course had already learned all of this, but it was nice to be able to relate. This was a little known piece of our history and Wheelan did a great job writing about it.
A little weary that the author seeks paralleled between the Barbary Wars and the modern War on Terror. Fascinating read, nonetheless.
An interesting history about a war most Americans don't know much about. The US actually deployed their Navy to attack the pirates who worked for Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria at a time when all of Europe just paid them off the US with their new and untested Navy stood up to them and won.
I had to fast forward through parts of this book when the tortures of the Americans were described. That said, this was a tremendous "read" about a time in our history I knew nothing about. The Middle East and America's history goes back to the beginning of our Nation.
The author examines the political, economic, and religious issues that led to America's war against the Barbary pirates. The conduct of the war and the results are also discussed.
Jefferson is more a cameo than a title character. This book does work on current assumptions of American power by taking the reader back to a time when the country was idealistic with a deep sense of identity but often feckless in carrying out her aims.
I liked this book on the Barbary War. It shows that Jefferson was not the true stict constructionalist of the Constitution so many histories try to paint. It's also an excellent adventure. I enjoyrd the read
Excellent history of a little-known period. Sheds a lot of light on modern-day problems with piracy.
May 13, 2013
Gautam Varma
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Mickslibrarian
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is currently reading it
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marked it as to-read
May 03, 2013
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marked it as to-read
May 01, 2013
Craig Stackpole
marked it as owned
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“Author says the ineffectual U.S. Navy of two centuries ago lost two thirds as many men to duelist bullets as to sea hazards.”
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“Author describes that a failed sea captain, "vacillated miserably between self-recrimination and defensiveness.”
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