"At four o'clock on the afternoon of April 27, 1805, the Stars and Stripes rose slowly over the fortress of Derna on the shores of Tripoli." With these words Berta Briggs climaxes this vivid and exciting tale of the defeat of the Barbary pirates by the United States Marines in the early years of the American Republic. Hers is the intricate and fascinating story of William Eaton, who inspired and led the expedition. Through the eyes of young Zed Coffin, a Navy midshipman aboard the brig Argus, you will have a front-row seat at one of history's greatest events.

When William Eaton returned from his post as consul at Tunis, outraged at the thought of the tribute that U. S. Government had paid, he convinced President Jefferson to let him go back with ships and men to the North African coast. How he searched until he found the rightful Tunisian ruler is a tale that flashes from Malta to Cairo to Alexandria to the walls of the pirate stronghold, Derna. For those who like their action rugged and their plots suspenseful, TO THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI is the book of the year!

From the dust jacket