The Pirate Coast

Thomas Jefferson, The First Marines, and the Secret Mission of 1805

By: Richard Zacks

Narrated by: Raymond Todd

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

After Tripoli declared war on the United States in 1801, Barbary pirates captured 300 U.S. sailors and marines. President Jefferson sent navy squadrons to the Mediterranean, but he also authorized a secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli. He chose an unlikely diplomat, William Eaton, to lead the mission, but before Eaton departed, Jefferson grew wary of the affair and withdrew his support.

Astoundingly, Eaton persevered, gathering a ragtag army, including eight U.S. Marines, and leading them on a brutal march across 500 miles of desert. After surviving sandstorms, treachery, and near death from thirst, Eaton achieved a remarkable victory on "the shores of Tripoli", as commemorated in the Marine Corps Hymn. His triumph gained freedom for the American hostages and newfound respect for the young United States, but for Eaton, the aftermath wasn't sweet. When he dared to reveal that the president had abandoned him, Jefferson set out to crush him.

©2005 Richard Zacks (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Zacks has researched thoroughly, writes entertainingly, and shows a knack for sea stories and characterization. This is the book that Captain Eaton has long deserved." (Publishers Weekly)
"Zacks does an expert job of explaining the diplomacy and machinations of the U.S. government....Where Zacks excels is in his research, quipping asides, and loving grasp of the subject" (Kirkus Reviews)

More Things You Probably Didn't Know

What did you love best about The Pirate Coast?

This book does a great job of telling the story as described with enough details to be interesting but not dry enough to be dull.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Pirate Coast?

I can't pick a moment but there are two things that stuck with me. The first was how seeing how Jefferson is even more conniving and two-faced than I had thought before (after reading Hamilton's biography). The other is about the sailors' captivity by the pirates is so similar to what Cervantes described for his own and for Don Quixote.

What does Raymond Todd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I shouldn't answer this one, I listen at 1.5x and the drama in the reading is lost at that speed.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Too long for one sitting but there were times I arrived at home or work and didn't want to get out of the car.

Any additional comments?

A good read and some very important American history that is glossed over or told as myth since the truth is not nearly as flattering for the country.

Foreign policy 200 years ago

If you think U.S. foreign policy is bonkers in 2005, just try 1805. Zacks's book is a good read for early American history buffs. But the focus is very narrow, and readers interested in more general kinds of historical works probably won't like it. Narration quality, overall, was good but not great.

Pirates

I love a some history. It was very enjoyable. I will be listening to it again.

Excellent Account

This account of the US conflict with the Barbary "pirates" (Muslims) is entertaining, succinct and accurate. The book's observations of how the Muslims negotiate, fight and act holds true today as the conflict between the West and Islam continues.

excellent listen

I am so impressed by richard zacks research and writing that I am about to download his other book. If you like early American history and have wondered where the words "and the shores of Tripoli" came from in the Marine Corps' hymn. This book is for you.

Recording/editing issue

There was basically no pause between the final word in a chapter and the declaration of a new chapter. I found it jarring.

The book itself was fine. An interesting telling of an often glossed over piece of American History.

excellent read

I thought I was going to be reading more about pirates, instead I was treated the the excellent story of the US Marines overland march to Tripoli and all the machinations of the US government around the war over the pirate coast in the Mediterranean.
wonderful history, well written, and very thorough.
forms a sound start to an autobiography for a man forgotten in history that needs to be known, William Eaton.
enjoy!

The Pirates Coast

Excellent book! Tons of detail about a little known American event. I would have given it 4 stars but the reader seemed to rush through the text, sometimes avoiding punctuations.

Interesting History I Knew Nothing About

This is a good story about events that are pretty obscure yet central to early American history. The book is paced well and keeps your interest. Characters are well-developed.
I recommend this if you want to expand your knowledge of early American history.

History at it's best

Greatly enjoyed the book. Having viewed the History Channel's "Tripoli" this provided all the missing details. Easy and good listening.