Books with author Charles John Andersson

A twenty-fifth anniversary edition of Charles Johnson’s National Book Award-winning masterpiece—"a novel in the tradition of Billy Budd and Moby-Dick…heroic in proportion…fiction that hooks the mind" (The New York Times Book Review)—now with a new introduction from Stanley Crouch.Rutherford Calhoun, a newly freed slave and irrepressible rogue, is lost in the underworld of 1830s New Orleans. Desperate to escape the city’s unscrupulous bill collectors and the pawing hands of a schoolteacher hellbent on marrying him, he jumps aboard the Republic, a slave ship en route to collect members of a legendary African tribe, the Allmuseri. Thus begins a voyage of metaphysical horror and human atrocity, a journey which challenges our notions of freedom, fate and how we live together. Peopled with vivid and unforgettable characters, nimble in its interplay of comedy and serious ideas, this dazzling modern classic is a perfect blend of the picaresque tale, historical romance, sea yarn, slave narrative and philosophical allegory. Now with a new introduction from renowned writer and critic Stanley Crouch, this twenty-fifth anniversary edition of Middle Passage celebrates a cornerstone of the American canon and the masterwork of one of its most important writers. "Long after we’d stopped believe in the great American novel, along comes a spellbinding adventure story that may be just that" (Chicago Tribune).

"I and my Hottentots have killed eight hundred elephants." -Charles Andersson"Trodden on by elephants, ripped up by the horn of a rhinoceros, suffering hunger and thirst, our author has survived all these dangers to write us a very interesting book." -The Rambler, 1856 "Charles Andersson was attacked and crushed to death by a wounded elephant…his passion for hunting led him into needless dangers." - New American Cyclopaedia, 1857" As a martyr, Mr. Andersson is entitled to the sympathy of his readers." - North American Review, 1862The late Charles John Andersson, the well-known big game hunter and explorer in Africa, and author of "Lake Ngami" and " The Okovango River," ended his days miserably, as so many other enterprising men had done before him, in the wilds of that continent, brought to an untimely end by the very game which he hunted. Andersson left behind him voluminous papers and notes on the hunting of the lion and elephant which were published in his famous 1873 book "The Lion and the Elephant."Karl John (Karl Johan) Andersson (1827–1867) was an explorer, hunter and trader as well as an amateur naturalist and ornithologist, most famous for the many books he published about his travels, and for being one of the most notable explorers of southern Africa, mostly in present-day Namibia. He often needed to earn money through trade and hunting.In 1850 Andersson arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and then travelled to Walvis Bay, in modern-day Namibia. They then trekked into the interior, at the time little explored by Europeans. They intended to reach Lake Ngami, but failed on that expedition. In 1855 he returned to London, where he published his book "Lake Ngami", in which he describes his travels. He returned to Africa the same year.Back in south west Africa, Andersson was hired as manager for mines in what was then called Damaraland and Namaqualand. However, he only held the position for a brief time, and continued his explorations. In 1859 he reached the Okavango River, an expedition that he recorded in his book The Okavango River.Andersson's "The Lion and the Elephant" is a collection of his writings on his experiences and knowledge of hunting lions and elephants during his explorations and expeditions in Africa. In describing one attack by a lion, Andersson writes: "The lion had watched him to his fireside, and he had scarcely lain down when the brute sprang upon him with his appalling murderous roar, and roaring as he lay, grappled him with his fearful claws… John Stofolus had lain with his back to the fire on the opposite side, and on hearing the lion he sprang up, and, seizing a large flaming brand belaboured him on the head…"In describing a run-in with a rhinoceros, Andersson writes:"I took up a stone and hurled it at her with all my force; when, snorting horribly, and raising clouds of dust with her feet, she rushed at me with fearful fury…. She laid me prostrate…and trampled on me with great violence …."As Andersson prophetically notes in his conclusion, the life of the professed elephant-hunter is one of great peril and privation, and there are few who engage in it that do not, sooner or later, " go to the wall": "I have nearly got over my difficulties, for in twenty months I and my Hottentots have killed eight hundred elephants; four hundred of them have fallen to this good gun, and when I am free I quit it. Scores of times have the elephants charged around me, even within a yard of the bush under which I had crept; and I feel that it was a chance I was not crushed."Other books by Andersson include: •"Explorations in South Africa, with the Route from Walfisch Bay to Lake Ngami". Journal of the Royal Geographical Society. •Lake Ngami, or Explorations and Discoveries in the Wilds of Southern Africa. •The Okavango River, a Narrative of Travel, Exploration and Adventure. London.•Notes of Travel in South-Western Africa

This book is chock full of some of the most fascinating, entertaining, and important first-hand anecdotes about leading figures in the American Civil War.Charles Anderson Dana is unknown to most Americans but was at the center of action during the war. Assistant Secretary of War under Edwin Stanton, Dana spent much of the war at Grant's headquarters, becoming a trusted and well-liked part of Grant's military family.Dana wrote about his many experiences with Abraham Lincoln, Edwin Stanton, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, and many more of his friends and comrades. A reporter for Horace Greeley, he was let go by the great editor because Dana supported the Union war effort.Stanton first brought Dana into his department to do oversight and sent him to Vicksburg to see if the reports of Grant's excessive drinking were correct. Dana proved his value to the Union efforts over and over, and stayed at the center of the conflict throughout."This book forms one of the most remarkable volumes of historical, political, and personal reminiscences which have been given to the public. Mr. Dana was not only practically a member of the Cabinet and in the confidence of the leaders of Washington, but he was also the chosen representative of the War Department with General Grant and other military commanders, and he was present at many of the councils which preceded movements of the greatest importance."

A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most notorious Pyrates is a 1724 book published in Britain containing biographies of contemporary pirates which was influential in shaping popular conceptions of pirates. Its author uses the name Captain Charles Johnson, generally considered a pseudonym for one of London's writer-publishers. The prime source for the biographies of many well-known pirates, the book gives an almost mythical status to the more colorful characters, and it is likely that the author used considerable licence in his accounts of pirate conversations. The book also contains the name of the pirate flag the Jolly Roger and shows the skull and bones design. First appearing in Charles Rivington's shop in London, the book sold so well that by 1726 an enlarged fourth edition had appeared. It pandered to the British public's taste for the exotic; revelling in graphic stories on the high seas. English naval historian David Cordingly writes: "It has been said, and there seems no reason to question this, that Captain Johnson created the modern conception of pirates." Scottish novelists Robert Louis Stevenson (author of Treasure Island) and J. M. Barrie (author of Peter Pan featuring Captain Hook) both identified Johnson's General History of the Pyrates as one of their major influences, and Stevenson even borrowed one character's name (Israel Hands) from a list of Blackbeard's crew which appeared in Johnson's book.

It is 1830. Rutherford Calhoun, a newly treed slave and irrepressible rogue, is desperate to escape unscrupulous bill collectors and an impending marriage to a priggish schoolteacher. He jumps aboard the first boat leaving New Orleans, the Republic, a slave ship en route to collect members of a legendary African tribe, the Allmuseri. Thus begins a daring voyage of horror and self-discovery.Peopled with vivid and unforgettable characters, nimble in its interplay of comedy and serious ideas, this dazzling modern classic is a perfect blend of the picaresque tale, historical romance, sea yarn, slave narrative, and philosophical novel.

A Scribner Classics edition of Charles Johnson’s masterpiece, winner of the National Book Award—“a novel in the tradition of Billy Budd and Moby-Dick…heroic in proportion…fiction that hooks the mind” (The New York Times Book Review).It is 1830. Rutherford Calhoun, a newly freed slave and irrepressible rogue, is desperate to escape unscrupulous bill collectors and an impending marriage to a priggish schoolteacher. He jumps aboard the first boat leaving New Orleans, the Republic, a slave ship en route to collect members of a legendary African tribe, the Allmuseri. Thus begins a daring voyage of horror and self-discovery. Peopled with vivid and unforgettable characters, nimble in its interplay of comedy and serious ideas, this dazzling modern classic is a perfect blend of the picaresque tale, historical romance, sea yarn, slave narrative, and philosophical novel.

The Original and Best Pirate Book. Often considered to be the primary source for information about the pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy, this book was written around the time these marauders plagued the Seven Seas. Scholars have often linked the pseudonym of Charles Johnson to Daniel Defoe and other authors, but whoever the true author was they speak with obvious knowledge of the subject and of maritime matters in general. This work contains both Volumes of the History of Pirates, with chapters on the following pirates: Henry Avery, John Martel, Edward Teach (Black-beard), Major Stede Bonnet, Edward England, Charles Vane, John (Calico Jack) Rackam, Ann Bonny, Mary Reid, Howel Davis, Bartholomew (Black Bart) Roberts, Thomas Anstis, Richard Worley, George Lowther, Edward Low, John Evans, John Phillips, Francis Spriggs, John Bowen, William Kidd, Thomas Tew, John Halsey, Thomas White, Christopher Condent, Samuel (Black Sam) Bellamy, Captain Fly, Thomas Howard, David Williams, Samuel Burgess, Nathaniel North, and John Augur, as well as the fictional pirates James Misson, William Lewis, and John Cornelius. To round the volume out are extra chapters on Sir Henry Morgan, John Gow, Brigstock Weaver, William Ingram, and John Upton, by the same author. This work is not a cheap scan or the result of copying and pasting; It contains no missing pages, areas of blurred or missing text, photocopier's fingers, coffee stains, or other scanning artifacts. It has all of the original text , reformatted in an easy to read format, with illustrations.

This book is chock full of some of the most fascinating, entertaining, and important first-hand anecdotes about leading figures in the American Civil War.Charles Anderson Dana is unknown to most Americans but was at the center of action during the war. Assistant Secretary of War under Edwin Stanton, Dana spent much of the war at Grant's headquarters, becoming a trusted and well-liked part of Grant's military family.Dana wrote about his many experiences with Abraham Lincoln, Edwin Stanton, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, and many more of his friends and comrades. A reporter for Horace Greeley, he was let go by the great editor because Dana supported the Union war effort.Stanton first brought Dana into his department to do oversight and sent him to Vicksburg to see if the reports of Grant's excessive drinking were correct. Dana proved his value to the Union efforts over and over, and stayed at the center of the conflict throughout."This book forms one of the most remarkable volumes of historical, political, and personal reminiscences which have been given to the public. Mr. Dana was not only practically a member of the Cabinet and in the confidence of the leaders of Washington, but he was also the chosen representative of the War Department with General Grant and other military commanders, and he was present at many of the councils which preceded movements of the greatest importance."