In an attempt to stop the legendary Barbary pirates of North Africa from hijacking American ships, William Eaton set out on a secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli - an operation sanctioned by President Thomas Jefferson. At the last minute Jefferson grew wary of meddling with a foreign power and withdrew his support. Eaton forged ahead anyway, recruiting a band of European mercenaries in Alexandria and capturing Tripoli's city of Derne. America's first cover operation is brought vividly to life by Richard Zacks.

In an attempt to stop the legendary Barbary pirates of North Africa from hijacking American ships, William Eaton set out on a secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli - an operation sanctioned by President Thomas Jefferson. At the last minute Jefferson grew wary of meddling with a foreign power and withdrew his support. Eaton forged ahead anyway, recruiting a band of European mercenaries in Alexandria and capturing Tripoli's city of Derne. America's first cover operation is brought vividly to life by Richard Zacks.