John Bicknell Knihy

The book delves into the complex dynamics between Abraham Lincoln and John C. Frémont, highlighting their intertwined political and military journeys. It offers an engaging narrative about Frémont, the first Republican presidential nominee, and sheds light on his role in the context of Lincoln's presidency, emancipation, and the Civil War. Through this exploration, readers gain a deeper insight into the pivotal figures and events that shaped this tumultuous period in American history.

The brutal murder of 15-year-old best friends Marianne Schmidt and Christine Sharrock on a sunny day in January 1965 shocked the community and remains unsolved. The crime, committed in a public area during school holidays, highlighted the audacity of the killer. Despite multiple police investigations and ongoing inquiries, the case has yet to yield justice for the victims and their families, leaving a haunting legacy in Sydney's history.

The presidential election of 1844 was one of the two or three most momentous elections in American history. Had Henry Clay won instead of James K. Polk, we'd be living in a very different country today. It cemented the westward expansion that brought Texas, California, and Oregon into the union. It also took place amid religious turmoil that included anti-Mormon and anti-Catholic violence, and the "Great Disappointment" in which thousands of followers of an obscure preacher named William Miller believed Christ would return to Earth in October 1844. Author and journalist John Bicknell details even more compelling, interwoven events that occurred during this momentous year--the murder of Joseph Smith, the religious fermentation of the Second Great Awakening, John C. Frémont's exploration of the West, Charles Goodyear's patenting of vulcanized rubber, the near-death of President John Tyler in a freak naval explosion, and much more. All of these elements illustrate the competing visions of the American future--Democrats v. Whigs, Mormons v. Millerites, nativists v. Catholics, those who risked the venture westward and those who stayed safely behind--and how Polk's victory cemented the vision of a continental nation.

"An in-depth look at the trailblazing campaign of John C. Fremont, the first Republican candidate for president"--

The book is a facsimile reprint, which means it reproduces the original work but may include imperfections like marks, notations, marginalia, and flawed pages. This adds a layer of authenticity and character to the reading experience, providing insight into its historical context and previous readers' interactions with the text.