The Lionkeeper of Algiers

“A remarkable story of adventure, heroism, and courage. In bringing the story of James Cathcart to life, Ekin has not just made diplomacy exciting again, he lays down a gauntlet on what an individual can do to change the world around them.” - Tom Fletcher CMG, Former UK Ambassador, bestselling author, and Principal of Hertford College, Oxford“An excellent book…. truly an amazing story.”–Timothy Symington, Journal of the American Revolution“The history of “one of the most remarkable figures in the early story of the fledgling United States” is unearthed in this intriguing biography from journalist Ekin (The Stolen Village)…Ekin sets a brisk pace through Cathcart’s astounding life story and weaves in intriguing details about his fellow hostages, 18th-century foreign diplomacy, and the history of the Barbary States. The result is a riveting tale of adventure and survival.”

Des Ekin is an historian and journalist. Former Deputy Editor of the Belfast Sunday News, he worked as a journalist, columnist, and finally Political Correspondent for The Sunday World (Ireland’s second biggest newspaper) until 2012. Twice shortlisted for the Irish Nonfiction Book of the Year (The Stolen Village, 2006; The Last Armada, 2014), he is the author of five books. Stateside, his writing has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, and the Dallas Morning News, among others. This is his first project of wholly American history.