Decatur and Somers

This book is specifically about the Barbary Wars against the Barbary Pirates. The author shows a fine appreciation of the character and achievement of these brave naval captains. The "brilliant, picturesque figure of Stephen Decatur" is strongly portrayed; and "the dashing and splendid quality" of his achievements which "leave a blaze upon the page of history" are told with great dramatic force. The story of the destruction of the Philadelphia frigate in the harbor of Tripoli is given in a ...