Noel B Gerson

An engrossing account of one of the most legendary political scandals in American history. This is the perfect book for fans of Stacy Schliff, Marla R. Miller, and Jeanne E Abrams. Between 1829 and 1831, members of President Andrew Jackson's Cabinet were embroiled in what became known as "The Petticoat Affair". This tumultuous scandal shattered the Jackson administration, leading to the resignation of all but one Cabinet member. What was this oddly named scandal all about? And how did it become so devastating to the American political elite? Noel B. Gerson's thoroughly researched and brilliantly written narrative takes us through the course of the event, explaining how the partners of some politicians, led by Floride Calhoun, wife of Vice President John C. Calhoun, regarded the marriage of Secretary of War John Eaton and his wife, Peggy Eaton, with disapproval and socially ostracized them because they deemed Peggy as not meeting the "moral standards of a Cabinet wife". This remarkable event, although seemingly innocuous, would lead not only to the devastation of Andrew Jackson's cabinet but also to the emergence of a powerful, southern sectional leader in John C. Calhoun, who would go on to argue in favor of states' rights and the expansion and protection of slavery. That Eaton Woman: In Defense of Peggy O'Neale Eaton is an absorbing account of one of the most devastating scandals in United States history, one that helped lay the political groundwork for the American Civil War.

A gripping biography of the chief architect of the American Revolution. Perfect for readers of Jon Meacham, David McCullough and Ron Chernow. John Adams, the second President of the United States and a second cousin of Samuel Adams, claimed, "The Revolution was Sam's personal creation." Yet, how did this man, who had failed at business and mishandled his inheritance, emerge in middle age as one of the most important of America's Founding Fathers? Noel Gerson, in this brilliantly researched study, charts the life of Adams and explains how he arose to become a principal coordinator of the rebellion, whose genius as a propagandist has seldom been equaled. While other figures like George Washington or Thomas Jefferson may be more well-known today, during the years of the American Revolution and for many years afterward, Samuel Adams was regarded as the first citizen and a leading statesman of the new nation. Such was his influence that on the eve of the Revolution, General Thomas Gage put a price on Adams' head and declared him "the most dangerous man in the New World." The Grand Incendiary brings the story of this remarkable but overlooked Founding Father back to life. It provides a unique insight into the machinery behind the War for Independence and the power of one man's persuasiveness.

The remarkable life of the British general who was decisively defeated and surrendered to his American Revolutionary opponents at the Battle of Saratoga. A perfect book for readers who wish to learn more about his extraordinary life and for those who like the works of Nathaniel Philbrick, Jon Meacham, and Ron Chernow. In the summer of 1777, Lieutenant General John Burgoyne led a force of eight thousand men southwards from Quebec with the aim of joining two other British forces from New York City and Lake Ontario to reach Albany, New York. The two supporting British forces never arrived, and Burgoyne was surrounded by American forces. After winning an initial battle near Saratoga he was met by an even larger force in the same location and was overwhelmed. Historian Edmund Morgan states that Burgoyne's surrender was "a great turning point of the war, because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the element needed for victory." Yet, was General Burgoyne solely to blame for the British tactical mistakes? And who was this man entrusted to put a halt to the American Revolution? Noel B. Gerson sheds light on the life of John Burgoyne, not simply on his military career through the Seven Years War and the American Revolutionary War, but also on his political career as a member of the House of Commons, as well as his somewhat surprising achievements as a playwright in Georgian England. Gerson's work draws from numerous primary sources, including a number written by Burgoyne himself, to present a fascinating reassessment of the soldier, dramatist, and politician who became known as "The Man Who Lost America." It deserves to be read by all interested in this thrilling period of history.

An engrossing biography of the Native American heroine, Pocahontas. Will appeal to readers of Allan W. Eckert, James P.P. Horn and Nathaniel Philbrick. The only daughter of Powhatan, the great warrior and ruler of the Chickahominy Confederation, Pocahontas enjoyed a privileged upbringing. Yet she defied many of the customs of her tribe by accompanying her brothers on hunting expeditions, and could be as fiercely competitive as any brave. It was her remarkable ability to adapt to new ways of life and situations alien to her that so amazed all who knew her and secured her place in American history. Captured by English colonialists during hostilities in 1611 and removed to the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, she displayed an incredible resourcefulness, learning to read and write, converting to Christianity and marrying an Englishman, John Rolfe. She was the first member of her nation to cross the Atlantic Ocean, reaching England in 1616, where her charm, intelligence and wit made her the toast of London society, and she soon became a regular at the royal court of King James I and Queen Anne. Drawing on a range of contemporary accounts, Noel B. Gerson sifts fact from fiction to present the life of a remarkable woman who was able to make her way in three different worlds - her Native American homeland, the colonial settlement of Jamestown, and seventeenth-century England.

An engrossing biography of Gabrielle d'Estr es, mistress, confidante, and advisor of Henry IV of France who was instrumental in ending the French Wars of Religion. Ideal for readers of Desmond Seward, Ian Mortimer and Alison Weir. Gabrielle d'Estr es was just thirty-six hours shy of becoming Queen of France when she died in 1599, yet the story of her life is a dazzling and significant chapter in French history. Pampered and spoiled in her youth, at eighteen Gabrielle became mistress to King Henry IV of France and rose to command the respect of Popes and royalty, and to scale unequalled heights of diplomacy. One of Henry's closest confidantes and advisors, Gabrielle's influence helped achieve a reconciliation between the King and the Roman Catholic Church. She also played a key role in the delicate negotiations between Catholic and Huguenot leaders when Henry promulgated the Edict of Nantes in 1598. Drawing on contemporary memoirs and diaries, Noel B. Gerson paints a vivid picture of one of the most powerful and influential women of the sixteenth-century French court. Lady of France is a fascinating biography of a woman who became the first lady of France in everything but title.

An engrossing biography of one of America's most remarkable First Ladies. Will appeal to readers of Ron Chernow, John Thomas Flexner and David McCullough. First Lady Dolley Madison, wife of America's fourth President, was renowned as an accomplished hostess, a lady of fashion, and a heroine of the War of 1812. Born into Virginia Quaker gentry, Dolley became a social leader overnight following her marriage to Founding Father James Madison. Charming and personable, her admirers were many, including Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de Lafayette, and John Quincy Adams, who declared her to be "the most beautiful lady in America". Dolley acted as the official hostess during the eight-year administration of widower President Thomas Jefferson, whom her husband served as Secretary of State, and was then First Lady in her own right for another eight years when her husband became President in 1809. Renowned for her culinary triumphs and innovative fashion sense, she demonstrated a talent for hospitality which contributed to her husband's popularity as President. Yet it was her spirit of independence that was the real secret of her success. When British troops marched on Washington City in 1812, she risked her life to save some of the country's most valuable treasures from the White House. Her contemporaries saluted her courage. Noel B. Gerson's The Velvet Glove draws upon Dolley's letters to illuminate the story of a prominent American woman who not only shaped her own role as First Lady but who set a precedent for all who followed her.

From ex-convict to the head of the first known private detective agency, Fran ois Eug ne Vidocq was the father of modern criminology. Perfect for fans of Tom Clavin, Hallie Rubenhold and Catherine Arnold. Long before Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was creating Sherlock or Agatha Christie was inventing the adventures of Poirot, the life and cases of Vidocq were inspiring Victor Hugo, Edgar Allen Poe and Honor de Balzac to create some of the first detectives in fiction, but as is so often the case, the truth is more fascinating than fiction. Using disguises, decoys and criminal stool pigeons, experimenting with fingerprints, inventing invisible inks, conducting blood and ballistic testing, devising methods for keeping records on all known criminals and pioneering handwriting analysis, are but a few of the real-life master sleuth's innovations. Noel B. Gerson's fascinating biography uncovers the life of the man who earned the respect of Emperor Napoleon after recovering Empress Josephine's stolen emerald necklace, attempted to reform ex-convicts and who revolutionized criminal investigations as the world's first private detective. "introduce s] the reader to a man who was a genuine pioneer and, in addition, one of the great adventurers of the century." The New York Times "Powerful" Kirkus Reviews

The incredible story of the discovery of the long-sought Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean across North America.Although Mackenzie's journey to the Pacific Ocean preceded the Lewis and Clark expedition by twelve years he remains much less well-known. This biography restores Mackenzie to his rightful place in the pantheon of great American explorers and should be essential reading for all who enjoy accounts of expeditions into the Far West. On 10th October 1792, Alexander Mackenzie, a Scot born in a remote island of the Outer Hebrides, left Fort Chipewyan to begin his journey across the vast American wilderness to the Pacific coast. Mackenzie had left his Scottish home as a boy after his mother had passed away. Apprenticed to a fur trading company in Montreal he learnt how to survive in the brutal conditions of these uncharted territories. Learning from First Nations people that local rivers flowed to the northwest from Fort Chipewyan, Mackenzie began the first of his astounding exploratory journeys in July 1789, travelling on the river that would eventually be named in his honor all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Noel Gerson's The Magnificent Adventures of Alexander Mackenzie brings the magnitude of these exploratory journeys to life. He uncovers not only the fascinating figure of Mackenzie himself but also his travelling companions and the awe-inspiring landscapes through which they travelled. Gerson's "admiration for his subject is well-founded in this sturdy, steadily interesting, biography." Kirkus Reviews

An engrossing biography of Washington's great cavalryman. General Henry Lee was an accomplished soldier and statesman, recognised for his heroic cavalry exploits during the American Revolutionary War. Ideal reading for those who have enjoyed the books of H. W. Brands, Craig L. Symonds and Nathaniel Philbrick. Henry Lee learnt to ride before he was 5, joined Washington's Army upon the outbreak of the American Revolution at 19, and was appointed Captain of the Fifth Troop of Virginia Dragoons at 20. At 22 Colonel Lee took command of a mixed cavalry and infantry unit known as "Lee's Legion" - the finest offensive team in the entire Continental Army. Nicknamed "Light-Horse Harry" for his lightning raids on British supply wagons, the young Virginian quickly earned a reputation for horsemanship and distinguished himself as one of the most skilled and courageous cavalry officers of the American Revolution. "No man sits a saddle more firmly" said General George Washington of Henry Lee. After the war Lee served in the Virginia legislature, in the Congress under the Articles of Confederation, in the Virginia Convention of 1788 that ratified the federal Constitution, and as governor of the state between 1791 and 1794. His political career was interrupted while he commanded the Army to put down the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. From 1799 to 1801 he served in the United States House of Representatives. George Washington's personal confidant and friend, on the President's death in 1799 Lee delivered the immortal lines: "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Noel B. Gerson charts the triumphs and tragedies of one of the nation's most distinguished citizens, whose rapid rise to fame was overshadowed by bankruptcy, imprisonment and the injuries he received from an angry mob in later life. Drawing on a wealth of contemporary sources, including private correspondence and Lee's own published memoirs, Gerson masterfully portrays a dedicated patriot and natural-born soldier, a trait he passed on to his even more renowned son, General Robert E. Lee. "a lively and interesting account of the life and military career of General Henry Lee." The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography Light-Horse Harry is the history of a quintessential Virginia cavalryman and gallant Revolutionary war hero whose political accomplishments helped pave the way for American independence.

An engrossing biography of a Civil War naval hero. Ideal reading for those who have enjoyed the books of William C. Davis, Bruce Catton and Craig L. Symonds. David Dixon Porter was the father of the modern United States Navy. He was son of the distinguished naval leader, Commodore Porter, and his adoptive brother was the famous Union Admiral, David G. Farragut. Yet, it was not through nepotism that David Dixon Porter was able to rise to the top of the US Navy. His seamanship abilities first became apparent during the Mexican-American War when he planned and participated in the assault on Vera Cruz. The outbreak of the American Civil War allowed Porter to further demonstrate his brilliance as a naval strategist. Utilising massed firepower he neutralized Confederate forts in the Mississippi River delta and his strategies proved particularly effective during the battle of New Orleans and the siege of Vicksburg. During the course of over sixty years in naval service Porter never stopped looking for ways to innovate. Some of his most influential inventions include a new form of mobile torpedo, a floating battery with armor plating and underwater explosives, and a steel bowsprit that could be attached to a wooden steamer to convert it into a ram. Even after the war ended Porter continued to reform the navy, becoming Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy and implementing changes that are still influential to this day. Noel B. Gerson's book, Yankee Admiral, uncovers the remarkable life of this naval innovator who is often overshadowed by Admirals Farragut and Dewey, but who undoubtedly deserves admiration as one of America's most influential and courageous sailors. "Porter is as great an admiral as Horatio Nelson." Ulysses S. Grant

How do you remove an unpopular president from office? On February 24, 1868, members of the United States House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson on thirteen separate charges of having committed high crimes and misdemeanors against the government and the people. In this impressive biography, Noel B. Gerson examines how these extraordinary events came about, the circumstances leading up to it, and the aftermath of a trial that was unique in the history of the country. Born into poverty and with no formal education, Johnson rose to prominence through perseverance and hard work. Entering politics, he became an adept stump speaker, championing the common man and vilifying the plantation aristocracy. Nominally a Democrat, who advocated free homesteads and education for all, he was soon to discover that not all agreed with his desire to see the nation reunited under the Constitution, as it had been before the Civil War. Sworn in as seventeenth President of the United States following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865, Johnson faced the enormous task of presiding over the tumultuous first years of Reconstruction, a task made harder by his enemies, notably radical Republicans Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner and Edwin Stanton, who turned the tide of support against him and were instrumental in the campaign to disgrace Johnson and drive him from office. By utilizing a wealth of primary sources, including quoted speeches, letters and press articles, Gerson masterfully portrays a sympathetic national figure devoted to his country and the Constitution, who escaped conviction by a single vote and went on to achieve a level of popularity he had never before known. The Trial of Andrew Johnson is an ideal read for those who wish to find out more about the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson and his fight for vindication against the radical Republicans in the United States Congress.

An authoritative biography of the Flemish Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens. An ideal book for readers who wish to find out more about the life and work of one of seventeenth-century Europe's foremost painters. Artist, businessman, linguist, intellectual, husband, father, and international diplomat: few people have accomplished quite as much or achieved such acclaim as Peter Paul Rubens. Renowned for being one of the most prolific and emotive painters of his age, Rubens' Baroque works were celebrated for their distinctively vibrant colours, intense dynamism, and sensuous use of the human figure. In this engrossing biography, Noel B. Gerson charts the Flemish painter's path to greatness, from a childhood spent in exile following a scandal that disgraced his father, his apprenticeship in Antwerp and his studies in Italy, through to the establishment of his own studio and subsequent career that saw him become a colossal figure in the European art world. His ambition to become the greatest painter of his age included a tireless work-schedule that produced an enormous body of work. Yet his talent as an artist was matched by his skill as a diplomat, a profession that brought Rubens great wealth, royal patronage, and unprecedented honors, including elevation to the peerage by the monarchs of Spain and England. Drawing on contemporary material, Gerson combines a full appreciation of Rubens' work with a revealing insight into the eventful life of seventeenth-century Europe's most prodigious artist. Peter Paul Rubens vividly captures the culture, religious conflicts and political intrigue of seventeenth-century Europe and its most accomplished artist.

An authoritative biography of one of nineteenth-century Europe's greatest authors. Perfect for readers who wish to find out more about this literary giant who was admired by his contemporaries from across the globe, including Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens and Henry James. Author, businessman, bankruptee, gourmand, lover ... few people have managed to accomplish so much in one lifetime as the French author Honor de Balzac. Hailed as a genius in his own lifetime for his realistic depiction of nineteenth-century French life - an assessment with which he readily agreed - it was Balzac's own life that was often more extraordinary than his fiction. Noel B. Gerson charts the rise and fall of this remarkable man through the course of his life, providing insight into the versatile genius and exposing his punishing work schedule and the complexities of his romance-laden, debt-ridden personal life. By utilizing a wealth of primary sources, including the letters written between Balzac and his friends, family and lovers, Gerson masterfully captures the character of 1830s Paris and its most eminent author. The Prodigal Genius: The Life and Times of Honor de Balzac is an impressive literary biography of one of France's greatest novelists, dramatists, essayists and critics.

Politicians, poets, artists, princes; Lillie Langtry was adored by all. This biography explores the life of a remarkable woman who enthralled Victorian Britain and Gilded Age America. Before Kim Kardashian, Jackie Kennedy and Zsa Zsa Gabor there was Lillie Langtry. Born on the remote island of Jersey in the English Channel, Lillie moved to London at the age of twenty with her new husband, the Irish landowner, Edward Langtry, in 1876 and took society by storm. Social, political and artistic giants from Oscar Wilde to William Gladstone were enraptured by her charm and beauty. Theodore Roosevelt said of her "That woman is a real marvel. And she's so pretty she takes away a man's breath." While Walt Whitman noted "There shines in Lillie Langtry a purity of spirit. Therein lies the essence of human poetry." Yet it was Edward, Prince of Wales and future King of England, who truly became infatuated with Lillie and soon she became his mistress. Over the course of the next few decades she travelled between America and Britain, as she transformed from socialite to actress, captivating newspaper readers with details of her turbulent love life. Noel B. Gerson uncovers the twists and turns of the most famous, some would say infamous, woman of her age as she mesmerized society on both sides of the Atlantic. "a heady, aromatic success story" Kirkus Reviews

A hair-raising biography of the hunter, scout, and adventurer, Kit Carson. Perfect for readers of Hampton Sides, Stephen Brennan and H. W. Brands. At seventeen Christopher "Kit" Carson left Kentucky and headed west. By the end of his life he had become a living legend, with dime novels exclaiming his accomplishments across the breadth of the country. But what was the truth behind these renowned stories and who was the real Kit Carson? Noel Gerson's fascinating biography uncovers the reality this extraordinary man, often proving more astounding than any of the novels. Kit Carson: Folk Hero and Man explores the tumultuous life of this man who was the archetypal frontiersman; travelling and trapping with famous mountain men like Jim Bridger, guiding John C. Fremont through the vast wilderness, and fighting against Confederate troops during the Civil War. Gerson also examines Carson's complex relations with the Native Americans tribes; acting honestly as a trader and agent and marrying a native woman, but also leading campaigns against them at various points in his life. "Quite a man, as this fast moving biography shows." Kirkus Reviews

On July 11th, 1804, Aaron Burr faced and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. These two men have received new interest following the success of Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical, Hamilton, but who was the real Aaron Burr? Noel B. Gerson uncovers the rise of a man who lost his father at the age of one, entered Princeton as a sophomore at thirteen, took part in Colonel Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec, became a national hero for saving an entire brigade from capture during the New York Campaign, and after the war rose to become a leading figure in New York politics, becoming vice-president in 1800 before the infamous duel occurred four years later. Yet, the story of Aaron Burr does not end there. Gerson goes on to expose the rest of his long and turbulent life, providing insight into the western conspiracy, the trial for treason, and his struggle to return to America after four years of self-imposed exile in Europe. This book is an engrossing biography of one of the most notorious figures in the history of the United States. It is an ideal read for those who wish to find out more about a person who could have been one of the greatest of Americans, in an age of giants, but whose personal flaws ultimately led to his demise. "Very interesting reading... it runs with the speed of a novel and the vividness of phrase of an acute commentator... Meant to be read... and boy, is it readable " - Bestsellers "The extraordinary vitality and charm of Burr come through in this swift-moving and wholly admirable book." - Christian Science Monitor "Moves faster than most historical novels because Burr was quicker and more unbelievable than most fictional heroes... an enjoyable, lively account of a fascinating figure." - Mankind Magazine "An absorbing biography of the Revolutionary war hero... the author portrays Burr as a brilliant man with an overwhelming ego and charm to match - a con man, forger, sharpshooting bully mistrusted by Washington and Jefferson, yet able to rise to high office in a career that occasionally suggests some modern parallels." - Publishers Weekly

An enthralling tale of the men and women who left Europe four hundred years ago to found the Plymouth Colony. Perfect for readers of Allan W. Eckert, Paul C.R. Monk and fans of the television series Jamestown. They have escaped persecution, now they must survive in the New World... 9th November, 1620, aboard the Mayflower. William Bradford and over one hundred other men and women stand on the deck of the ship that for the last ten weeks has sailed across the breadth of the Atlantic. On the horizon they can see land ... it is America. They have come to this untamed place with few supplies, inadequate tools, and little experience in wilderness living, but what they do have is an unbreakable desire to build a new life for themselves and their families and faith that whatever may happen is part of God's divine plan. But how will they survive their first few months in this strange world as a brutal winter begins to envelop them? And will the harmony of the Pilgrims, embodied by their newly signed Mayflower Compact, survive as relationships fracture and the stresses and strains of hunger, disease and death begin to take their toll? Rock of Freedom: The Story of the Plymouth Colony is a thoroughly-researched fictionalized account of the Mayflower voyage and the settling of the Pilgrims in New England. It is a dramatic work of historical fiction that brings the lives of the men and women who made this journey to life.