Jefferson's War

America's First War on Terror, 1801-1805

By: Joseph Wheelan

Narrated by: Patrick Cullen

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Two centuries ago, without congressional or public debate, a president who is thought of today as peaceable, Thomas Jefferson, launched America's first war on foreign soil, a war against terror. The enemy was Muslim; the war was waged unconventionally, with commandos, native troops, and encrypted intelligence, and launched from foreign bases.

For nearly 200 years, the Barbary pirates had haunted the Mediterranean, enslaving tens of thousands of Europeans and extorting millions of dollars from their countries in a mercenary holy war against Christendom. Sailing in sleek corsairs built for speed and plunder, the Barbary pirates attacked European and American merchant shipping with impunity, triumphing as much by terror as force of arms.

The author traces the events leading to Jefferson's belief that peace with the Barbary States and respect from Europe could be achieved only through the "medium of war".

©2003 Joseph Wheelan (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Should be required reading/listening

"Jefferson's War" is concise reading of a story that more people need to know.

I am thrilled Audible offers it. The story talks about how Jefferson and his predecessors, and others in the Administrations, dealt with the Barbery pirates. Along the way, we learn the early history of The United States Marines, the namesake of Decatur, IL, the link between the battles and the National Anthem, and why the eagle in The Great Seal of the United States of America does need to hold both arrows and the olive branch.

I encourage all to give this a listen.

interesting story

I find myself in between the other 4 reviewers. This is a very interesting story about a period of history I knew little about. But I did find that it droned on a bit - especially in the first half.
The parts of the story having to do with the ship Philadelphia and the taking of Tripoli were quite good. And the last chapter goes well beyond the Barbary war.

Lessons here for today

Interesting insights into the enigmatic Thomas Jefferson, and a piece of American history that liberal educators probably don't want to be taught. A black mark on Islam's claim as a religion of peace: enslaving Christians and slaughtering Jews.

Good story but a twinge of necon peppered the stor

Good story, but one that tried to draw too much similarities with the modern day War in Terror. It tried to play everything in black and white, Christian v. Muslim, ignoring a lot of the subtleties of politics and intrigue. Interesting story to listen, a real life swashbuckling tale of a young nation making its stand against pirates and high seas extortion that other European powers prefer to satiate with tribute, if not for the taint of neocon propaganda.

Great telling of history.

Loved the voice of the narator. Great retelling of history. Loved it. Would gladdly listen to any othet works by the writer.

awesome

another confirmation of how much the United States owes our third president and great President Thomas Jefferson. those who have misjudged him just branding him as a slave owner need to read this book.

Interesting Little Known American History

I was pleasantly surprised with this book as I had a small amount of knowledge regarding this part of American history. This book really helped with a better understanding and was an interesting comparison with today's troubles. The book was well written and read. I have enjoyed this author's books regarding the civil war and found this to be just as good and well researched. If you are an American History or just a History fan, this book is worth the credit.

very interesting

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Jefferson screws up his war

Jefferson is portrayed in this book as a war leader with a great vision but horrible execution. He yearned for 20 years to strike a decisive blow at the Barbary pirates. But when he finally did so, in his first presidential term, he coupled it with massive cuts to the navy's ships and personnel! He and his party were believers in "small government" and by rigidly sticking to this ideology, at a time when the US government and military were small to begin with, he cut the floor out from under himself. Also, this was a time when leaders of both American parties expected a war with Great Britain in the not too distant future. Thus, he and his party weakened the US in the face of an imminent threat from the greatest sea power in the world. Maybe this is why the British were able to burn Washington D.C. during the War of 1812.
Then Jefferson sent, in succession, two leaders to Barbary who were cowards and sybarites. When he finally found a fighting commander, he replaced him!
The author spells all this out in painful detail. So much painful detail, in fact, that I found the book to be a hard slog. I'm about 60% through it and am taking a rest before finishing. I was hoping to read about 18th century marines kicking ass in North Africa. Maybe that's still to come...

Unforgettable Story

Another little known chunk of history most people know nothing about. This was a peak into the future for a young country. It awesome how America over and over is in the brink and then things turn around. The Barber Wars and Islam’s ongoing battle against Christian still happens today. Great exciting sea and political story. Great addition to the library.