The first novel in award-winning historian James L. Haley’s brilliant adventure series featuring young midshipman Bliven Putnam as he begins his naval service aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.It is 1801 and President Thomas Jefferson has assembled a deep-water navy to fight the growing threat of piracy, as American civilians are regularly kidnapped by Islamist brigands and held for ransom, enslaved, … held for ransom, enslaved, or killed, all at their captors’ whim. The Berber States of North Africa, especially Tripoli, claimed their faith gave them the right to pillage anyone who did not submit to their religion.
Young Bliven Putnam, great-nephew of Revolutionary War hero Israel Putnam, is bound for the Mediterranean and a desperate battle with the pirate ship Tripoli. He later returns under legendary Commodore Edward Preble on the Constitution, and marches across the Libyan desert with General Eaton to assault Derna—discovering the lessons he learns about war, and life, are not what he expected.
Rich with historical detail and cracking with high-wire action, The Shores of Tripoli brings this amazing period in American history to life with brilliant clarity.
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An historical novel set in the early days of the country. The characters were well drawn, and easy to recognize their personality. It’s full of adventure, both from the dangers at sea and also the danger from fighting sailers from other countries. Highly recommend it, and the next one, too.
very realistic.
I was disapointed in this book and could not finish it. Not what I was thinking it would be.
Historical value,, characters OK, reminds me of Patrick Obrien and the Aubrey series.
Main character is just too, too perfect
Interesting era to write about. Technically correct, but it sort of “dragged out.” I found it hard to get into after the first chapter.
Love reading historical fiction. Author did an excellent job and the book keep my interest to the end.
Good Hornblower type novel with interesting characters and lots of action and detail about fighting a sailing ship.
Great story about US early Naval life and wars fought.
interesting history most of us are lacking
Enjoyable, but not in the same league as C.S. Forester or Patrick O’Brien. Definitely better than some of the imitators I’ve read, but the characters are flat and unmemorable.
I enjoyed the action parts and the historical info about life aboard ships. Disliked the political aspect.
If you liked Master and Commander, then this is more of the same except from an American point of view.This historical novel moves right along, and I found if a very enjoyable read.
Quite good if you like the old wooden sailing ships – I do! Since they sailed the world there is some geographical and historical interest. Not quite up to lucky Jack Aubrey, but good enough that I couldn’t stop reading it until I hit the end.
Excellent historical novel based on real world events. Characters are very well developed and the Barbary Coast descriptions are great.
Historical fiction that could have been much more exciting. I enjoyed the history and the characters but was very disappointed with the lack of action in a story that based on a very exciting part of our history.
I want more
I did not know that the book was part of a series. I thought the characters were developed well. I
A weak rehash of Patrick O’Brien’s Aubrey/Maturin series. The lone, unnecessary sex scene was out of place and uninteresting, not to mention out of character for the protagonist; it felt like an afterthought when an editor or critical or first reader suggested including one. The action was exciting, but the conflict between Britain and the U.S. was insufficiently developed, the protagonist was far too honorable and naive, and the whole affair was long and not as well written as it might have been.
Follows in the footsteps of Horatio Hornblower and Richard Bolitho. Entertaining look at early 19th century naval action of the US Navy.