Pirates Raids explores the vital role that pirates, privateers, and the early United States Navy played in shaping America's destiny. It examines maritime conflict along the American coastline, revealing how the fledgling nation navigated treacherous waters to secure its place in global trade.

The book highlights the challenges faced by the young republic as piracy threatened economic stability and international trade, while privateering blurred the lines between legitimate warfare and state-sponsored piracy. The rise of U.S. naval power was essential for safeguarding American interests and projecting power on the world stage.

Beginning with the historical context of piracy in the Atlantic world, the book analyzes specific pirate attacks and privateer actions along the American coasts. It further examines U.S. government policies and strategies to combat piracy, including establishing the U.S. Navy.

The book avoids romanticizing piracy, focusing on the economic, political, and military factors that shaped this era. Ultimately, Pirates Raids argues that the struggle against piracy and the use of privateering were instrumental in shaping U.S. naval policy and establishing the nation as a credible maritime power.