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Ann Boland

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520-247-0070
Publicity services for authors

Ann Boland

  • Home
  • Publicity
    • References from clients
    • Author and book publicity
    • Consulting
    • Speaking engagements for authors
  • Websites
  • Speaking engagements for authors
  • Speaking
    • Ricardo Ainslie
    • Kelly F. Holland
    • J. Thomas Rompel
    • Peter Gibb
    • Sarah Cortez
    • Hispanic Heritage Panel
    • Bordering the Future
    • Mentoring Writers Panel
  • CV
  • Book list
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Blog

"The Shores of Tripoli: Lieutenant Putnam and the Barbary Pirates (A Bliven Putnam Naval Adventure)" by James L. Haley (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016)

January 14, 2017 Ann Boland

Ah, a good new historical novel.  They are rare – perhaps because the research is fundamental to the plot rather than incidental.  

If you are fan of Patrick O’Brian’s series about a commander in the British Navy, beginning in 1800 and going through 1815, then The Shores of Tripoli will appeal.  It’s almost the same setup, but in the nascent U.S. Navy.  The protagonist is a young teen who quickly rises to temporary Lieutenant Commander by the end of the novel.   Seems there was a dearth of experienced naval men in the U.S. at the time the Navy was formed, so trainable teens were the brought into the corps as Midshipmen to be groomed for command.  

In 1801, our sparse fleet was sent to the North African coast to battle the Mussulmen pirates. Hence the U.S. Marine song, “From the halls of Montezuma (Mexican-American War) to the shores of Tripoli (First Barbary War)…”  We won, but a pyrrhic victory.  

Don’t be put off by the length of the book—438 pages.  The type leading is large, so it reads quickly.  Don’t miss the simple glossary in the back – good for unfamiliar naval terms.  This is not a great book, but a good one, and the first of a series.

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