54-40 or Fight

by Emerson Hough, Arthur I. Keller (Illustrator)

54, 40 or Fight is a historical novel written by Emerson Hough. The book is set in the mid-19th century and tells the story of the Oregon boundary dispute between the United States and Great Britain. The title of the book refers to the slogan used by James K. Polk during his presidential campaign in 1844, in which he promised to annex the entire Oregon Territory and take it up to the 54�����40' north latitude line, or go to war with Great Britain. The novel follows the lives of several characters, including a young American soldier, a British naval officer, and a Native American chief, as they navigate the tensions and conflicts arising from the dispute. The book provides a detailed account of the political and military events leading up to the resolution of the dispute, as well as the personal struggles and relationships of the characters involved. Overall, 54, 40 or Fight is a compelling and informative historical novel that offers insight into a pivotal moment in American and British history.1909. Hough�������s literary career grew out of his taking camping trips and writing about them for publication. His body of work eventually included 27 novels and hundreds of short stories and articles. Hough's early works included The Singing Mouse Stories, for children, and the nonfiction The Story of the Cowboy. He had his first major success in 1902 with his novel The Mississippi Bubble, which became a bestseller. 54-40 or Fight Then you offer me no hope, Doctor? The gray mane of Doctor Samuel Ward waved like a fighting crest as he made Not the sort of hope you ask. A moment later he John, I am ashamed of you. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Emerson Hough was an American author best known for writing western stories and historical novels.

He married Charlotte Chesebro of Chicago in 1897 and made that city his home. During World War I, he served as a Captain with the Intelligence Service. He died in Evanston, Illinois, on April 30, 1923, a week after seeing the Chicago premiere of the movie The Covered Wagon, based on his 1922 book. Covered Wagon was his biggest best-selling novel since Mississippi Bubble in 1902. "North of 36", another Hough novel, later became a popular silent film as well, "making him one of the first Western authors to enter into the motion picture industry." He is buried in Galesburg, Illinois.

Asked in 1918 to provide some details of his own life, he replied in the context of World War I: "This is no time for autobiography of men of letters. This is the day of biography for men who have been privileged to act in the great scenes of today. It is the time for boys of 23. At least we can bless them and back them the best we know. I will not tell about myself. It is of no consequence."

Hough's hometown, Newton, Iowa, has honored him in several ways. A school named for him opened in 1926. Emerson Hough Elementary School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. His boyhood home bears a marker provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The school grounds include a playground with a western theme called Fort Emerson Hough. The local chapter of the Izaak Walton League also bears his name, as does a street, Emerson Hough Avenue in Lambs Grove, Iowa, a suburb of Newton.

In March 2010, the school board voted to close Emerson Hough School.Efforts to prevent its closure have included a fund raising and a Facebook page.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this a few years ago (pre-Goodreads) and so wanted to re-read to review it. The epilogue has a great quote to summarize the book: "any who smile at women's influence in American history do so in ignorance of the truth."

It is a remarkably sexist/feminist book. It is sexist in the sense that women are essentially jezebels who can be manipulated by men through jealousy and vindictiveness. It is feminist because Helena is one of the strongest thinkers (and philosophers) in the book.

I found the whole story about Helena's background to be rather silly, though. Hough attempts to write a treatise in favor of the American Democratic System (yep, all Caps there) by setting up Helena's life as tragic because of the backward European expectations of and for class. However, he can't help but describe Helena at least 10 times as "obviously well bred". She could have been married off young to a nasty man and embittered against women without this elaborate "experiment" in breeding.

Overall it is an interesting story about a period of which I did not otherwise know anything else.

[Cmadler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another reviewer referred to this book as at once sexist and feminist, and I think that duality sums up the elements of this novel about which I feel most strong, both for and against. It is feminist in that Hough presents two women, Helena, Baroness von Ritz, and Lucrezia Yturrio, who he presents as having played critical roles in the acquisition for the US of Texas, California, and the Oregon Territory. For all that, women are still objects to be won by men (Elisabeth), or if they act, it is as a result of their breeding (Helena, Lucrezia). For all that, it gives a fascinating look at the notion of "Manifest Destiny" in the mid-1840s.

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives you an inside view of a critical period of North American history. It takes you to the decision makers at the close of the Civil War, when US expansion into the Texas/Mexican territories is being balanced with US possession of lands on the Pacific coast. Real arguments and inside deals are revealed as the President is pressured to secure settlement of people that will assure US claim to these lands on the north and south borders. The story of the Oregon trail migrations is vivid. Foreign alliances are shown as having important powers.
This is a good way to learn history.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it (for free) on my IPhone. It was wordy at times, but an interesting take on how parts of history could really leave out key players (women) who influenced the course of major events. I am not sure if it was total fiction or based on some accounts of history, but it held my attention, with some history, some romance, and some politics.

[Donna Jo Atwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book because the author grew up in my hometown of Newton, IA (He and his sister were in the first graduating class of Newton High School). Dispite being written in 1909, the book reads very much like a more modern novel.