Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History
by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger
Released: December 25th, 2015
Readers Advisory Matrix
1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
It is a mix of highly fact-based and a narrative. It includes many quotes from letters of the people involved, as well as descriptions of the events based on sources left behind. Overall, the author combines everything to read like a fiction novel.
2. What is the subject of the book?
The United States involvement in the Tripoli War in the early 1800s.
3. What type of book is it?
Historical narrative.
4. Articulate appeal
- What is the pacing of the book?
The pacing is fast due to several events with lots of action.
- Describe the characters in the book.
The characters are a mix of military and political figures, such as John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, as well as rulers from the northern African countries.
- How does the story feel?
Exciting and gripping. It feels like an adventure, action novel. There are plenty of battles to excite the reader.
- What is the intent of the author?
To educate readers on a forgotten war in American History, especially a war that made more people aware of the power of the United States.
- What is the focus of the story?
The focus is America’s attempt at freeing captured Americans by Mediterranean pirates, as well as loosening their grip of the Mediterranean sea.
- Does the language matter?
Yes. Language in historical nonfiction can make or break a book. This book is easy to read compared to many more academically-written historical books.
- Is the setting important and well described?
The setting is important because it takes place in the late 18th century, early 19th century. The physical setting is far away from the United States, which is important at that time in United States History.
- Are there details and, if so, of what?
The author is descriptive of society in the northern African countries who are at the center of this book. It is important to understand why the United States had conflict with these countries, and why they had to be cautious of the decisions they made.
- Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
There are no charts, but there are images of the characters, places, events, and ships involved in the story.
- Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
Yes. Readers will learn about this forgotten war, understand why the U.S. had conflict with these pirates, and experience how early naval battles for the United States occurred.
5. What would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
- Action
- Great cast of Characters
- Fast-paced
From your initial description it sounds like the book is a "mix" or in the "middle" on the narrative continuum, but you also describe it as being like an adventure novel with a fast pace and lots of action. Maybe these descriptions don't have to be at odds with each other, though at first they might seem to be. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you brought this up. I went back to reread a few chapters and it is more in the mix category than I thought previously.
DeleteI like how you said that the book reads like an adventure novel. So often nonfiction, historical nonfiction, tends to gets labeled as stuffy or boring. The fact that you said the story is "exciting and gripping" and is fast-paced just shows us not to judge a book by it's stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so exciting! Even more so since it's factual. I'd never heard about this book before - is it one of your favorites?
ReplyDeleteI am not a scholar on the subject so I do not know how factual the information is. Historical authors like to place their biases somewhere in novels. So it is not one of my favorites based on the subject matter. However, I am a major fan in how he made the book not boring. It was a very fun read! I have read too many historical novels that were interesting, but hard to read. He made this book exciting.
DeleteI must admit, I'm not a fan of historical books at all, so big kudos to you for making this one sound interesting and like something I would actually consider reading. I typically find things like this boring, but you said it is exciting and fast paced, so I'm going to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really exciting book. That fact that it is true making it all the more interesting to me. I like reading books about the founding fathers and pirates are always interesting.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job! Full points!
ReplyDelete