| Edition |
1st ed. |
| Description |
viii, 432 p., [8] p. of plates : ill, maps ; 25 cm. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (p. [417]-421) and index. |
| Summary |
In an attempt to stop the legendary Barbary Pirates of North Africa from hijacking American ships, William Eaton set out in 1805 on a secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli. The operation was sanctioned by President Thomas Jefferson, but at the last moment he grew wary of "intermeddling" in a foreign government, and Eaton set off without national support. Short on supplies, given very little money and only a few men, Eaton's mission seemed doomed from the start. But he improbably triumphed, recruiting a band of European mercenaries in Alexandria, along with some Arab cavalry and Bedouin fighters, and leading them on a march across the Libyan Desert. The success of the event is immortalized in the Marines' Hymn, but Jefferson never allowed Eaton the fame he craved.--From publisher description. |
| Subject |
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826.
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Pirates -- Africa, North -- History -- 19th century.
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United States -- History -- Tripolitan War, 1801-1805.
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United States -- History -- Tripolitan War, 1801-1805 -- Underground movements.
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United States -- History -- Tripolitan War, 1801-1805 -- Naval operations.
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| ISBN |
1401300030 |
|
