[varmint]

at one point jefferson dispatched an ambassador to algiers. he asked the sultan to stop attacking american ships, and for the release of hostages. the sultan responded that it was his right as a muslim to plunder the goods of the infidel. and besides, if he were to make peace with everyone, what would he do with all his pirates?

the book gets a little thin as it gets into the twentieth century. but still of information new to me.