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Lightning Man

The Accursed Life of Samuel F. B. Morse

By: Kenneth Silverman

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Paperback | 1 October 2004 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
503 Pages

Age
14+

Grade
9+

Dimensions(cm)
22.86 x 15.24 x 2.54

Paperback

$55.75

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A "superb" ( Wall Street Journal biography by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author on the "most illustrious American of his age"-the painter-turned-inventor Samuel F.B. Morse. This brilliantly conceived biography is the very American tale of a quiet man, raised by religious zealots, who became a gifted and prolific painter (more than three hundred portraits and historical canvases), became the first Professor of Fine Arts at an American college, and founded the National Academy of Design. A classic overachiever, this was simply not enough for Samuel F. B. Morse; he subsequently ran for Congress and mayor of New York. Lastly, in his most famous life's work, he invented a machine that was to transform commerce, communication, transportation, military affairs, diplomacy, and the course of the modern world. What invention could be so revolutionary? The telegraph, of course-and the eponymous Morse code. Here is the story of an incredible invention, and an engrossing life, by a Bancroft- and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Biographies & True Stories Biographies Science, Technology & Medicine Biographies Engineering & Technology Energy Technology & Engineering Electrical Engineering Miscellaneous Items Industry & Industrial Studies Media, Entertainment, Information & Communication Industries Historical, Political and Military Biographies Electronics & Communications Engineering

Communications Engineering & Telecommunications Radio Technology Technology in General Inventions & Inventors

Finley
Geography	p. 3
No One Uninspired by the Muses May Enter	p. 21
A Terrible Harum-Scarum Fellow	p. 40
An Affection of the Heart	p. 67
Morse
Il Diavolo	p. 97
Anomalous, Nondescript, Hermaphrodite	p. 124
High Attribute of Ubiquity	p. 147
Traveling on a Snail's Back	p. 174
Beware of Tricks	p. 192
Hurrah Boys Whip Up the Mules	p. 220
Samuel F. B. Morse
Mere Men of Trade	p. 249
Tantalus Still	p. 274
The Great Telegraph Case	p. 297
A True Social Fraternity	p. 325
Can't! Sir, Can't!	p. 346
Forward	p. 370
Commandador
Is This Treason? Is This Conspiracy?	p. 391
Visions of Receding Glory	p. 415
Coda: 1872-2000	p. 441
Documentation	p. 447
Acknowledgments	p. 483
Index	p. 485
Illustration Credits	p. 501
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Lightning Man

The Accursed Life of Samuel F. B. Morse

At a Glance

Paperback

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

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