On March 19, 2012 the Cape Cod National Seashore demolished five barrier beach homes threatened by sea level rise. It was only the latest skirmish in the ongoing battle over the use of this fragile caprice of nature. Beach Wars chronicles the pirates, Indians, rumrunners and farmers who have used this beach to hunt, fish, mooncuss and cut salt marsh hay. Their stories reflect the history of the United States and how we have come to redefine how we want to protect and live with our land and oceans. They also hold valuable lessons for the three million other United States citizens who live less than a meter above sea level and in our two hundred other barrier beach communities.