An interesting historical novel by the authors of Mutiny on the Bounty. The novel decribes the life of the Hugh Tallant, as told by himself. Hugh Tallant, an American, is convicted in London of highway robbery and as such exported as a convict to New South Wales, Australia, as part of the First Fleet. The story shows its readers the hardship of the convicts who arrived on the First Fleet, as well as the even worse conditions endured by the convicts of the Second Fleet. Because the historical data is given as part of a fictional story, the book makes both an interesting and pleasant read
Like many a restless teenager before him, Charles Nordhoff craved excitement and in 1844, when barely 14, he managed to talk his way into the US Navy. A bookish lad who had been apprenticed to a printer, Nordhoff was better educated than most of his fellow seamen, and was well equipped to describe what became a three-year round-the-world adventure. He was lucky in his ship, USS Columbus, a large 74-gun ship of the line that had been chosen to undertake a diplomatic mission to China, and then to Japan, in an abortive attempt to open the latter to American trade. In the course of this voyage, Nordhoff was to see many countries of south-east Asia and the Far East, before crossing the Pacific, visiting South America, rounding Cape Horn, and finally returning to Norfolk, Virginia, having crossed the Equator six times. Apart from its descriptions of exotic climes, much of the interest in the book lies in a boys view of naval life and how the ship was run. The US Navy was small and followed very conservative principles, with an emphasis on discipline, routine and training that would have been familiar a century earlier. However, it was also subtly different: more humane in its treatment of the crew, less draconian in punishment, and a promoter of what would be considered Victorian moral values. The book offers a valuable and entertaining account of life in the last days of the sailing warship.
Union general, federal judge, presidential contender, and cabinet officer—Walter Q. Gresham of Indiana stands as an enigmatic character in the politics of the Gilded Age, one who never seemed comfortable in the offices he sought. This first scholarly biography not only follows the turns of his career but seeks also to find the roots of his disaffection. Entering politics as a Whig, Gresham shortly turned to help organize the new Republican Party and was a contender for its presidential nomination in the 1880s. But he became popular with labor and with the Populists and closed his political career by serving as secretary of state under Grover Cleveland. In reviewing Gresham's conduct of foreign affairs, Charles W. Calhoun disputes the widely held view that he was an economic expansionist who paved the way for imperialism. Gresham, instead, is seen here as a traditionalist who tried to steer the country away from entanglements abroad. It is this traditionalism that Calhoun finds to be the clue to Gresham's career. Troubled with self-doubt, Gresham, like the Cato of old, sought strength in a return to the republican virtues of the Revolutionary generation. Based on a thorough use of the available resources, this will stand as the definitive biography of an important figure in American political and diplomatic history, and in its portrayal of a man out of step with his times it sheds a different light on the politics of the Gilded Age.
Mountain Bike! Los Angeles County is must-have literature for the cyclist who is eager to explore the wonderful terrain that housed the genesis of mountain biking in the late seventies. In this trail guide you'll find detailed maps of carefully planned routes, some popular and some unknown to many, as well as comprehensive descriptions of what hazards and delights you'll encounter along the way. Whether you're a adrenalin seeking downhill bomber, or a gram-counting cross country racer, the Wide Grin guide will be your bible. Los Angeles County has every conceivable type of mountain bike accessible terrain, from remote, loamy oak forest floor singletracks without a person in sight, to roller coaster, rock-garden filled chutes that will give you plenty of thrills. Several easier routes for novice riders are also included. Over the years, mountain biking has become a multi-faceted sport, encompassing several disciplines that all utilize the 26-inch knobby tire. The masochistic single-speeder, the cross country racer, the dirt-jumping purist, the downhill racer, the freerider, the epic rider and the weekend warrior will all find their needs catered to in this guide. Each route is rated on technical and aerobic difficulty, so no rider will get more than they bargained for. Additionally, GPS waypoints for the start of each route are given in both UTM and latitude/longitude coordinates, so you'll never find yourself lost. Los Angeles County has enough riding terrain to keep your riding experiences new, fresh, and challenging for a lifetime. Even veteran Angelinos will find themselves surprised at the number of great loops and shuttle-runs unbeknownst to them until now. After a broad tour of LA's mountain bike playgrounds, you'll surely cancel your plans to relocate to Vancouver's North Shore or to the city of Moab, Utah, because Socal truly is the Mecca of mountain biking, and Los Angeles is right in the center of it.
Philip Nolan: The Man Without a Country is Chuck Pfarrer's captivating adaptation of Edward Everett Hale's American classic “The Man Without a Country,” first published in The Atlantic Monthly more than a century ago. Masterfully blending history and fiction, Pfarrer tells the story of a young artillery officer, Philip Nolan, who becomes embroiled in Aaron Burr's 1807 conspiracy to invade the territories of the Louisiana Purchase. Insinuating his scheme has official approval, Burr convinces Nolan to carry a coded message into the Orleans Territory. Nolan has no knowledge of the former vice president's intended treason-and Burr has no idea that Thomas Jefferson has discovered his scheme. Soon Philip Nolan is in military custody with Burr, charged an accessory to the plot. The nation holds its breath as Burr is tried for attempting to tear apart the Union. The charges against Burr seem ironclad, but his lawyers are clever, and Burr walks free. An embarrassed prosecution looks for a scapegoat, and expands the charges against Nolan to include desertion and sedition. Learning that his own court martial will proceed, despite Burr's acquittal, Nolan denounces his accusers, damns his country, and tells the court he wishes never again to hear the words “United States” as long as he lives. The judges return with an ominous verdict: the prisoner's wish will be granted. Nolan is sentenced to permanent exile aboard a series of U.S. warships, never again to hear news from or speak of his country. Decades pass. Shuttled from ocean to ocean, Nolan realizes he is a stateless person, estranged from his keepers and forgotten by his country. Eventually passed aboard an American frigate in the Mediterranean, Nolan comes into the custody of a newly commissioned lieutenant, Frank Curran. When Barbary pirates capture an American whaleship, the pair is drawn into a web of international deceit and mortal danger. As a rescue mission is launched, Nolan teaches the young officer a lesson about duty, loyalty, and the meaning of patriotism. Equal parts adventure, naval history, and morality tale, Philip Nolan: The Man Without a Country is more than frigate duels and small boat actions. Intricately plotted and beautifully crafted, the novel is a poignant and closely observed examination of the human condition.
This will help us customize your experience to showcase the most relevant content to your age group
Please select from below
Login
Not registered?
Sign up
Already registered?
Success – Your message will goes here
We'd love to hear from you!
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.