To the Shores of Tripoli: The Birth of the U.S. Navy and Marines

by A.B.C. Whipple

Often-overlooked yet significant and prophetic event in U.S. history, the Barbary War was America's first battle against an Arab despot and President Thomas Jefferson's first major challenge to U.S. foreign policy. As described by A.B.C. Whipple, it is a great yarn as well as first-rate history. The author skillfully combines vivid accounts of derring-do with shrewd appraisals of contemporary politics and diplomacy. Because the Continental Navy had been disbanded, there was an urgent need to develop a new Navy and Marine Corps. Faced with the choice of trading arms for hostages or meeting force with force, Jefferson sent a squadron of warships to the Mediterranean while Congress was in recess, prompting the first major debate on the war-making powers of a U.S. president. The war included a blockade of Tripoli, sustained bombardment by the Navy's new frigates, and finally a ground war fought by a U.S. Army captain, eight Marines, and a rabble of Christians and Arabs sent to free the hostages.
Whipple's rousing narrative is filled with fascinating personalities. In addition to Jefferson, there is Commodore Edward Preble, the quarter-deck tyrant who commanded the first naval forces into battle; the bold junior officer Stephen Decatur; the tyrannical bashaw, Yusuf Karamanli; William Eaton, an early-day Lawrence of Arabia; Marine lieutenant Presley O'Bannon; and a host of others.

Genres: History, Military History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, War, American History, Pirates

360 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1991

About the author

Addison Beecher Colvin Whipple was an American journalist, editor, historian and author. Before his retirement he was editor of Life's International Editions and executive editor of Time-Life Books.

Reviews

[Jack]

An excellent book on the fledgling US Navy and the first actions after the Revolution. Ironically it was against Muslim powers terrorizing our vessels and imprisoning the crews. Some may say that nothing has changed since the 1790s except the might of the US Navy. Today's fleet commanders need the same qualities of Preble and Decatur...wisdom, courage, tenacity, and improvisation. The treaties negotiated were never sufficient unless they were backed by warships with broadsides ready and decks cleared for action. Paying ones enemies only emboldens them to demand more. Many can argue again that nothing seems to have changed again. One thing is for certain, the Navy must always be ready. That Navy must always have the Marines as well.

[J. Scott Frampton]

If you are a U.S. Marine, then this is required reading. Also, if you are interested in America getting involved in foreign wars without "Article I" Congressional Authority, this is also required reading... a very timely story considering the Iraq conflict. Excellent history and well written. An amazing story on many fronts with lots of lessons.

[Josh Idiot Peterson]

Proof that neither man nor war ever changes.

[Mark]

Great book about a little-known area of American history. The Barbary Wars were one of America's first foreign conflicts (excepting the naval Quasi-War with France) and have decided echoes today, as they marked the first time the United States found itself dealing with what would be today referred to as "rogue states" and hostage situations. The politicking, diplomacy (both straightforward and shady) and saber-rattling all sound quite familiar, though vastly complicated by the creeping pace of communications at the turn of the 19th century.



A.B.C. Whipple's writing is clear and interesting, and it's well-annotated; another quality title from Bluejacket Books (a subsidiary of the US Naval Institute).

[Maria]

History of the Barbary Wars. Describes the political fights to build up a national navy, the initiative or lack there of in it's naval captains and the friction between diplomats and war fighters.

Why I started this book: Found a copy in our paperback exchange and since it's on my professional reading list I grabbed it. Turns out that it was easier to get the book than to get into it.

Why I finished it: Desperation. I ended up skimming the last couple of chapters just to proclaim that I had finished it... kind of like when the U.S. Navy declared themselves the winner and then stopped sailing in the Mediterranean. (Mostly because the Napoleonic Wars were heating up and the increased British impressment of American sailors.)

[Marty Reeder]

Pretty interesting account of U.S. affairs in the Mediterranean during the first years after Washington's presidency. While it drags in some areas, I think, overall, the foreign policy approach then is extremely relevant to today's political climate.

[Kevin Pearce]

Whipple's book comes from the Naval Institute Press and is really an excellent analysis of the Barbary Wars when read in conjunction with the bio of Edward Preble and the Story of the Essex. The amalgam of writing for this timeframe provides unique insight into the life of our fore fathers.

[Justin Griffin]

The first Barbary War is really interesting...and to think I wasn't aware of its existance before reading this book. The chapter chronicling the burning of the US Philadelphia which has run aground in a Tripolitan harbor is especially vivid. Viva Decatur!

[Fredrick Danysh]

Whipple addresses how the US Navy and Marine Corps were re-established during the Barbary Pirate Wars and the sea power grew for the infant nation doing a job that the major powers ignored.

[John]

A good read but, having been written in 1991, its views on Muslims and their religion are a bit dated.