Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: A & E Home Video
• VHS Release Date: February 9, 2000
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 0767013972
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,362 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

After the Revolutionary War, the first challenge to the power of the newly formed United States came from an unlikely source--marauding pirates off the North African Barbary Coast. We sail back and see how the threat the pirates posed led to establishment of the U.S. Navy in 1794 when Congress authorized six war vessels.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good video on Barbary Pirates, May 3, 2006

By 

Dr J (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Search of History: Pirates of the Barbary Coast [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is an excellent video on a forgotten chapter in American history when the pashas of north Africa extorted money from European and American shipping. Unfortunately, the pashas were able to make a ton of money from the Europeans, who actually used the pashas as pawns against their rivals. However, the Americans, who really had no navy, weren't going to be intimidated, and launched a fleet against them. From this expedition a hero was born--Stephen Decatur. It's very interesting and exciting stuff. Why only four stars? Well, the narrator is quite dull and takes all the excitement from the presentation. Great and important information, though!