434 Results in the "Biography & Memoir" category


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      Relief

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Relief spread through the air after the inauguration of March 4, as the anticipated tensions failed to manifest into anything beyond the usual ceremonial proceedings. The entire nation had waited with bated breath for that day, and the absence of major conflict felt like a collective exhale. For many, the inauguration signaled a fresh start, though the shadow of the ongoing crisis still loomed. In a series of letters exchanged between Frances and William Seward, personal and political concerns were shared…
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      Race Week

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Race Week in Charleston, as depicted in The Demon of Unrest, highlights a period of both festivity and underlying tension. On February 6, 1861, the city’s social calendar was dominated by this grand event, which was met with a mix of excitement and fear as the nation teetered on the brink of war. Governor Pickens, aware of the delicate situation, chose to avoid direct confrontation with Fort Sumter, allowing the celebrations to unfold with little interference. The entire city seemed to halt its routine,…
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      Query

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Query surrounding the fort's reinforcement prompted Major Anderson to seek out comprehensive assessments from his officers regarding the necessary personnel and ships to ensure Fort Sumter’s defense. On February 28, Anderson requested individual reports from his officers, hoping their evaluations of the daunting task of reinforcing the fort would highlight the immense logistical challenges involved. By collecting these assessments, Anderson sought to emphasize the severity of the situation, thereby…
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      Prologue

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In the prologue titled "Be Ready When the Luck Happens," the author takes the reader back to a formative moment in the fall of 1965, a day filled with both struggle and profound growth. She had recently begun dating Jeffrey Garten, a charismatic and adventurous sophomore at Dartmouth College, and was visiting him on what she hoped would be a simple, laid-back occasion. However, Jeffrey had other plans. Instead of a relaxed day together, he suggested a hike up Balch Hill, located in Hanover, New…
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      Preparations

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Preparations for the looming conflict were at the forefront of Major Robert Anderson's mind on Wednesday, April 10, as the situation at Fort Sumter became increasingly dire. The primary concern was the dwindling food supply, which had forced Anderson to implement half rations for the garrison. These rations, he predicted, would only last two more days, barely covering the period until dinnertime on April 12. The soldiers, in an effort to conserve what little they had, resorted to scavenging rice from…
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      Preface

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      by LovelyMay Preface introduces the life and spirit of Saint Stanislaus Kostka not with dry reverence, but with energetic admiration. William T. Kane speaks not only to theologians or scholars but to anyone willing to consider that sanctity can take root even in the heart of youth. Unlike those who see holiness as the slow work of old age and suffering, Kane boldly defends the idea that a teenager—filled with life, energy, and clarity of purpose—can reach extraordinary spiritual heights. He acknowledges the rarity…
    • Practice Makes Perfect Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to the precise and dangerous task of artillery firing at Fort Sumter during the Civil War. The air is thick with the sound of cannon fire as Confederate artillery crews engage in practice sessions, essential for honing their skills. These practice drills are crucial, as firing heavy guns demands both precision and coordination among the crew. Typically composed of seven men, the crew, known as cannoneers, operates a single cannon, referred to as a "piece."…
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      Pledge

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Pledge became a pivotal moment in the growing political turmoil of 1860, as President Buchanan’s administration struggled to respond effectively to South Carolina’s secession. The resignation of key cabinet members, such as Howell Cobb, the Secretary of the Treasury, and Lewis Cass, the Secretary of State, highlighted the increasing instability within the government. Cobb’s resignation, driven by his loyalty to Georgia and the South, came after he found himself at odds with Buchanan’s handling of…
    • Planes, Trains, And Automobiles Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Planes, trains, and automobiles have all played pivotal roles in shaping the modern world, transforming the way people travel, transport goods, and experience the world. James Watt, famous for his contributions to steam engine technology, introduced the concept of “horsepower” to measure the power of mechanical engines. This unit of measurement, originally used for steam engines, continues to be used for all forms of mechanical engines, including those found in cars and airplanes. Over the years, as…
    • Placing the Knife Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Placing the Knife captures the intense emotional and political landscape Mary Chesnut found herself navigating after the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, an event that marked the beginning of an era she saw as fraught with danger. While traveling back to South Carolina from Florida, she learned of Lincoln's election through discussions among passengers on the train, where it was said that "Lincoln was elected and our fate sealed." Mary’s immediate reaction was one of certainty: she believed that this…
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