Fans of “Fox & Friends” lined up early Saturday at Barnes & Noble at Lake Sumter Landing to get signed copies of Brian Kilmeade’s book “Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History.” The book came out last year, but has recently been released in paperback.
Many in line were buying copies for friends and family as well as themselves. Several told Kilmeade that they have their coffee with him every morning. In that group were Village of Collier residents John and Arleene Ehrbar.
“I love his sense of humor,” said Arleene. “He has a very dry sense of humor.” Watching the show is also how several in line found about the event.
Kilmeade mentioned on air that he would be traveling to The Villages to sign books at Barnes & Noble.
Written with Don Yeager this book tells the story, remembered by few, of the war against the Barbary states. Only weeks into his presidency Jefferson decided to confront the Tripoli pirates who had been kidnapping American ships and sailors. Jefferson sent warships to blockade Tripoli and protect American shipping, which escalated to all-out war.
This is Kilmeade’s fourth book, his second about an event in history. He spent about two and a half years researching the Jefferson book. Currently, he is researching a book on Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans. A communications major, Kilmeade says he has always been passionate about history.
His Jefferson book chronicles this country’s first war on terrorism.
“If you lifted Jefferson’s quotes and put them in the Washington Post today, you would think you were reading quotes from Bush or Obama,” said Kilmeade. “Many of the issues Jefferson was dealing with are still in our mindset today.”
Not all those in line were Fox and Friends regulars. Virgina Dorsch homeschools her children, Caroline and Andrew. She uses Kilmeade’s books to teach history. They drove from Clermont to get their books signed.
If you would like to know more about Kilmeade and his books visit www.briankilmeade.com.
