The Lionkeeper of Algiers: How an American Captive Rose to Power in Barbary and Saved His Homeland from War
In 1785, a young American named James Leander Cathcart is kidnapped at sea and carried as prisoner to the maverick North African statelet of Algiers. The piratical corsairs of Algiers have decided to exploit the vulnerability of the United States by seizing its mariners and holding them for ransom. Today, the name of James Leander Cathcart has been all but forgotten.



The Lionkeeper of Algiers reveals the extraordinary and unlikely story of Cathcart, who rose steadily up the ranks from lionkeeper at the Dey's private zoo to become Chief Clerk at the Palace, along the way amassing a chain of taverns in Algiers that functioned as safe houses and food banks for American prisoners.



Eleven years later, Cathcart was paroled back to America and charged with delivering a vital letter to President George Washington, saving a tenuous peace deal and bringing the other captives home. Cathcart would go on to become a US diplomat in the lands where he was held captive for more than a decade.



This narrative follows the twists and turns of Cathcart's own life upon the international stage of diplomacy, trade, and maritime statecraft at a time when America's place in the world was hanging in the balance.
1141668911
The Lionkeeper of Algiers: How an American Captive Rose to Power in Barbary and Saved His Homeland from War
In 1785, a young American named James Leander Cathcart is kidnapped at sea and carried as prisoner to the maverick North African statelet of Algiers. The piratical corsairs of Algiers have decided to exploit the vulnerability of the United States by seizing its mariners and holding them for ransom. Today, the name of James Leander Cathcart has been all but forgotten.



The Lionkeeper of Algiers reveals the extraordinary and unlikely story of Cathcart, who rose steadily up the ranks from lionkeeper at the Dey's private zoo to become Chief Clerk at the Palace, along the way amassing a chain of taverns in Algiers that functioned as safe houses and food banks for American prisoners.



Eleven years later, Cathcart was paroled back to America and charged with delivering a vital letter to President George Washington, saving a tenuous peace deal and bringing the other captives home. Cathcart would go on to become a US diplomat in the lands where he was held captive for more than a decade.



This narrative follows the twists and turns of Cathcart's own life upon the international stage of diplomacy, trade, and maritime statecraft at a time when America's place in the world was hanging in the balance.
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The Lionkeeper of Algiers: How an American Captive Rose to Power in Barbary and Saved His Homeland from War

The Lionkeeper of Algiers: How an American Captive Rose to Power in Barbary and Saved His Homeland from War

by Des Ekin

Narrated by Roger Clark

Unabridged — 10 hours, 22 minutes

The Lionkeeper of Algiers: How an American Captive Rose to Power in Barbary and Saved His Homeland from War

The Lionkeeper of Algiers: How an American Captive Rose to Power in Barbary and Saved His Homeland from War

by Des Ekin

Narrated by Roger Clark

Unabridged — 10 hours, 22 minutes

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Overview

In 1785, a young American named James Leander Cathcart is kidnapped at sea and carried as prisoner to the maverick North African statelet of Algiers. The piratical corsairs of Algiers have decided to exploit the vulnerability of the United States by seizing its mariners and holding them for ransom. Today, the name of James Leander Cathcart has been all but forgotten.



The Lionkeeper of Algiers reveals the extraordinary and unlikely story of Cathcart, who rose steadily up the ranks from lionkeeper at the Dey's private zoo to become Chief Clerk at the Palace, along the way amassing a chain of taverns in Algiers that functioned as safe houses and food banks for American prisoners.



Eleven years later, Cathcart was paroled back to America and charged with delivering a vital letter to President George Washington, saving a tenuous peace deal and bringing the other captives home. Cathcart would go on to become a US diplomat in the lands where he was held captive for more than a decade.



This narrative follows the twists and turns of Cathcart's own life upon the international stage of diplomacy, trade, and maritime statecraft at a time when America's place in the world was hanging in the balance.

Editorial Reviews

Timothy Symington

"An excellent book.... truly an amazing story."

From the Publisher

A remarkable story of adventure, heroism, and courage. In bringing the story of James Cathcart to life, Ekin has not just made diplomacy exciting again, he lays down a gauntlet on what an individual can do to change the world around them.” – Tom Fletcher CMG, Former UK Ambassador, bestselling author, and Principal of Hertford College, Oxford


“The history of “one of the most remarkable figures in the early story of the fledgling United States” is unearthed in this intriguing biography from journalist Ekin (The Stolen Village)...Ekin sets a brisk pace through Cathcart’s astounding life story and weaves in intriguing details about his fellow hostages, 18th-century foreign diplomacy, and the history of the Barbary States. The result is a riveting tale of adventure and survival.”

Product Details

BN ID: 2940178367636
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication date: 03/28/2023
Edition description: Unabridged
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