Post #280565 by Jungle Trader on Tue, Jan 23, 2007 7:30 PM

For you pirate fans, take a look at "The Pirate Coast" by Richard Zacks. A historical account of this countries first overseas covert operation.

Washington Post Book World:
In 1803 the American warship USS Philadelphia ran aground in Tripoli harbor, and the Barbary pirates captured three hundred U.S. sailors and marines. Faced with a hostage crisis and a war, President Thomas Jefferson made the bold decision to authorize a secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli. The operation leader, William Eaton, with almost no supplies or money, led a mercenary army on a death-defying march across the Sahara desert to surpise attack the enemy. Backed by the cannons of the U.S. Navy, they achieved a remarkable victory by capturing the Moslem nation's third largest city. Eaton, the conquering hero, was poised to move on when he discovered that Jefferson had no appetite for foreign conquest.
A historic drama that still resonates today, "The Pirate Coast" is the story of America's first overseas covert operation, and one of the most compelling adventures ever undertaken for love of glory and country.

Thomas Jefferson is revered among most Americans as a great President. After reading this book it is my view that he was an average scoundrel politician, though history books paint a different picture. The real hero, who it turns out was abandoned, was William Eaton. Ever heard of him? My guess is no. He was the greater American hero, yet nobody has ever heard of him. Shame. Funny how, from the past to the present, (over 200 hundred years) you'll find the same old song regarding our legislative branch of Gubmint and the parallel personalities & cultures of the people who inhabit that area of the world, (Tripoli). Same old f*^&ing song 200 years later. Bastards!

Edited to add (Tripoli) so as to clarify focus of my indignation.

Get in touch with your inner native!!
Create Paradise!!

[ Edited by: Jungle Trader 2007-01-23 19:38 ]