Project Gutenberg 2004-12-15 Public domain in the USA. 169 Hough, Emerson 1857 1923 Keller, Arthur Ignatius 1866 1924 Keller, Arthur I. Keller, A. I. (Arthur Ignatius) Keller, A.I. 54-40 or Fight Fifty-four-forty or fight Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/54-40_or_Fight_(book) E-text prepared by Rick Niles, Charlie Kirschner, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team "54-40 or Fight" by Emerson Hough is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set against the backdrop of American expansionism during the mid-19th century, particularly focusing on the contentious debate over the acquisition of Texas and Oregon. The narrative appears to revolve around the character John Calhoun, an influential Southern politician deeply engaged in the political maneuvering regarding territorial expansion and national identity, as well as his interactions with key figures, including the enigmatic Baroness Helena von Ritz. The opening of the novel introduces John Calhoun, who is embroiled in a complex web of political intrigue and personal ambition. As Calhoun converses with his old friend, Dr. Samuel Ward, they discuss the challenges and risks associated with the annexation of Texas, including the potential conflict with England. From the outset, Calhoun’s determination to expand American territory is palpable, suggesting a personal battle interwoven with the national interests at stake. The narrative hints at Calhoun's use of intriguing methods, including the involvement of women in political schemes. The introduction of Nicholas Trist, Calhoun's aide, adds depth as he is tasked with delivering a critical message to the Baroness von Ritz, setting the stage for a significant encounter that intertwines both personal and national destinies. This mix of political drama and personal intrigue serves to engage the reader in the broader themes of ambition, power, and territorial conflict inherent in America's formative years. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 83.5 (6th grade). Easy to read. en Historical fiction Oregon Territory -- History -- Fiction United States -- History -- 1815-1861 -- Fiction PS Text Bestsellers, American, 1895-1923 Category: Historical Novels Category: American Literature 544362 2025-07-06T09:21:05.251227 text/html 523011 2024-10-28T21:23:01 text/html 1073138 2025-07-06T09:21:13.936108 application/epub+zip 1080080 2025-07-06T09:21:07.342136 application/epub+zip 279817 2025-07-06T09:21:06.068185 application/epub+zip 1309341 2025-07-06T09:21:19.070078 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 1269929 2025-07-06T09:21:12.994105 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 411625 2022-09-07T15:55:59.922413 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 513398 2023-10-06T12:42:02.119972 text/plain 493534 2024-10-28T21:23:01 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 18351 2025-07-06T09:21:19.215072 application/rdf+xml 8814 2025-07-06T09:21:06.577134 image/jpeg 2707 2025-07-06T09:21:06.321158 image/jpeg 1052936 2025-07-06T09:21:05.312142 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia en.wikipedia