TO THE SHORES
OF TRIPOLI:
THE BIRTH OF THE US NAVY AND MARINES
A.B.C. Whipple
William Morrow and Company,
1991. F/F, as new. 1st Edition. Dust jacket in mylar protector.
Notes, appendices, bibliography, index, 357 pp. "'America's first war against
an Arab despot...' For centuries, four nations along the northern rim of
Africa, then known as the Barbary Coast: Tripoli, Tunis, Algeria, and Morocco,
had been terrorizing merchant shippers, capturing and looting their vessels
and imprisoning their crews for ransom. With a vital lifeline of the infant
U.S. threatened by the Barbary pirates, President Jefferson faced one of
the first major challenges to U.S. foreign policy: He could continue trading
arms for hostages with the Barbary Coast rulers, or he could meet force
with force. Jefferson decided to send a squadron of warships to the Mediterranean
while Congress was in recess... The Barbary War forced Americans who had
disbanded the Continental Navy to establish a new U.S. Navy and Marine
Corps. The war included a blockade of Tripoli, followed by sustained bombardment
by the high-tech weapons of the time, America's powerful new frigates.
The ground war that followed, with an army captain and eight U.S. Marines
leading a motley coalition of Christians & Arabs to invade Tripoli,
was successful beyond all expectations..."
Paperback currently in print at $18.95, hardcover currently
OUT OF PRINT.
$35.00
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