435 Results with the "Biography" genre


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      Frustration

      Frustration Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Frustration fills the air during the period between December 20 and 24 as Navy Lieutenant David Dixon Porter finds himself navigating the increasingly complex political landscape in Washington amidst the secession crisis. On his way through downtown, Porter passes the residence of Senator Jefferson Davis, where a lively party is in full swing. Despite his unwavering loyalty to the Union, Porter has maintained relationships across party lines, seeking to understand the potential paths to peace. His…
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      Forbearance

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Forbearance marked the period between January 9–12 as Major Anderson and his troops at Fort Sumter witnessed the Star of the West depart after being fired upon by Fort Moultrie. Despite the clear provocation, Anderson ordered his gunners not to retaliate, which frustrated Captain Doubleday. Doubleday believed that firing back was their duty, seeing it as a necessary act of defense for the American flag. He argued that the failure to act could have jeopardized their position, which was viewed as shocking…
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      First Day

      First Day Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin On March 5, the first day of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, he was immediately thrust into the turbulent realities of leading a deeply divided nation. He received a letter from William Seward, who had agreed to serve as Secretary of State, confirming his acceptance of the position. Seward reflected on his resignation from Congress, acknowledging the delicate political landscape and how fortunate he felt to have avoided major fallout from his decision. Despite their past rivalry during the Republican…
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      Firewood

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Firewood became a symbol of the harsh realities faced by Major Anderson and his garrison at Fort Sumter during the cold days and nights of late March 1861. As the storm clouds loomed over Charleston, both literally and metaphorically, the fort’s defenses were being pushed to their limits. On March 26, Chief Engineer Foster reported that the last of the temporary buildings on the parade ground had been demolished, and the soldiers were resorting to burning lumber and even a condemned gun carriage to fuel…
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      Epigraph

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Epigraph sets the tone for The Demon of Unrest, offering a poignant and thought-provoking collection of quotes that delve deeply into the central themes of slavery, governance, and the personal toll of war. The first quote, attributed to Arthur Peronneau Hayne, reflects his conviction about the essential role of slavery in Southern society. Hayne contends that the comfort and well-being of Southern families depend entirely on the continuation of slavery, and he argues that separation from the Union is the…
    • Elon Musk (Walter Isaacson) Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Elon Musk*= by Walter Isaacson is a biography that delves into the life and career of the tech entrepreneur, exploring his visionary projects, personal struggles, and role in shaping industries like electric vehicles, space exploration, and AI.
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      Dual Warning

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Dual Warning captures the critical days surrounding President-elect Abraham Lincoln’s journey to Washington, D.C. on February 21, amidst mounting threats to his safety. The news of an assassination plot against him had reached the ears of several key figures, with General Winfield Scott acting swiftly on the reports he received from Dorothea Dix, who was connected to the railroad executive Samuel Felton. The threat was deemed credible enough for Scott to call upon the expertise of John A. Kennedy, head…
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      Dread

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Dread fills the air as Washington braces for the electoral count and certification of President Lincoln’s election, set for February 13. The city is on edge, with General Scott’s troops and artillery strategically positioned throughout, signaling the Army's commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process from any potential disturbances. Rumors of six thousand armed men assembling in Baltimore circulate, sparking fears that these forces could disrupt the peaceful transition of power in…
    • Dorothea’s Warning Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Dorothea’s Warning began on a January Saturday in 1861 when Dorothea Dix arrived at the Philadelphia office of Samuel M. Felton, Sr., the president of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad. While Dix’s original mission was to advocate for humane treatment in asylums, she brought a far more alarming piece of information with her. Having traveled through the South, she shared her troubling discoveries, revealing the growing political unrest and the secessionist movement. Felton, who had…
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      Departure

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Departure marked a turning point not only in Abraham Lincoln’s personal life but in the trajectory of the entire nation. As the morning of February 11, 1861, unfolded under overcast skies, the quiet streets of Springfield bore witness to a solemn yet historic farewell. Lincoln, rising early, prepared for what lay ahead with a mixture of composure and visible emotional weight. At the modest Great Western Railroad depot, a crowd gathered despite the rain, representing neighbors, colleagues, and…
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