Brian McGinty Livres

Against the backdrop of the run-up to the Civil War, a young African American man in San Francisco in 1858 was freed from the claims of a white man who sought to return him to slavery in Mississippi. Archy Lee was the name of the man who, with the aid of anti-slavery lawyers and determined opponents of human bondage, won his freedom from the claims of Charles Stovall. With the aid of pro-slavery lawyers and equally determined supporters, Stovall had sought to capture him and carry him back to a far-away slave plantation. This is the story of Archy Lee, and the fight against slavery in a non-slave state.

A surprising work of narrative history and detection that illuminates one of the most daring-and long-forgotten-heroes of the Civil War.

The Oatman Massacre recounts a legendary tragedy and one of the most dramatic captivity stories in the Southwest's history. It explores the harrowing events surrounding the Oatman family, highlighting themes of survival and resilience against the backdrop of a tumultuous era. The narrative delves into the impact of this event on the lives of those involved and the broader historical context, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in American frontier history.

The narrative centers on the catastrophic incident involving the steamboat Effie Afton, which collided with the Rock Island Bridge on May 6, 1856. This event marked a significant moment in transportation history as it was the first railroad bridge over the Mississippi River. The collision resulted in a fiery disaster, leading to the vessel's sinking and significant destruction of the bridge, highlighting the perils of early industrial advancements and the interplay between emerging technologies and infrastructure.