The Great Sweepstakes of 1877

A True Story of Southern Grit, Gilded Age Tycoons, and a Race That Galvanized the Nation

Nonfiction, Sports, Horse Sports, Horse Racing, History, Americas, United States, Civil War Period (1850-1877)
Cover of the book The Great Sweepstakes of 1877 by Mark Shrager, Lyons Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mark Shrager ISBN: 9781493018895
Publisher: Lyons Press Publication: April 1, 2016
Imprint: Lyons Press Language: English
Author: Mark Shrager
ISBN: 9781493018895
Publisher: Lyons Press
Publication: April 1, 2016
Imprint: Lyons Press
Language: English

In 1877 the members of the United States Senate postponed all business for the day so that they might attend a horse race—the iconic, polarizing post-Civil War event at the center of this story. The nation, still recovering from the depredations of the Civil War and the Reconstruction that followed, recognized it as a North vs. South encounter, pitting New York’s powerful thoroughbred Tom Ochiltree and New Jersey’s Parole—owned by the ostentatious Northern tycoons Pierre and George Lorrilard—against the already legendary “Kentucky crack,” Ten Broeck—owned by the teetotaling, plain-living Frank Harper and ridden by black jockey and former slave William Walker—representing a former slave state and its Southern values. The race and the colorful cast of characters involved reflected the still seething America during one of the nation’s most difficult and divisive periods. Shrager presents a fascinating and heart-pounding piece of history exposing the racial and economic tensions following the Civil War that culminated in one final race to the end.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 1877 the members of the United States Senate postponed all business for the day so that they might attend a horse race—the iconic, polarizing post-Civil War event at the center of this story. The nation, still recovering from the depredations of the Civil War and the Reconstruction that followed, recognized it as a North vs. South encounter, pitting New York’s powerful thoroughbred Tom Ochiltree and New Jersey’s Parole—owned by the ostentatious Northern tycoons Pierre and George Lorrilard—against the already legendary “Kentucky crack,” Ten Broeck—owned by the teetotaling, plain-living Frank Harper and ridden by black jockey and former slave William Walker—representing a former slave state and its Southern values. The race and the colorful cast of characters involved reflected the still seething America during one of the nation’s most difficult and divisive periods. Shrager presents a fascinating and heart-pounding piece of history exposing the racial and economic tensions following the Civil War that culminated in one final race to the end.

More books from Lyons Press

Cover of the book Triathlon Training Fundamentals by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Bass Angler’s Almanac by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Death in the Great Smoky Mountains by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Blood in the Hills by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Fishing Through the Apocalypse by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Ask the Old Football Coach by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book The New Whistleblower's Handbook by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Mark Twain on Travel by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book SAS and Elite Forces Guide Ropes and Knots by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book The Little Book of Rock and Roll Wisdom by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Stonewall Jackson's Little Sorrel by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Practical Horse Massage by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book American Angler Guide to Fly Fishing for Trout by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book Whole Dog Journal Handbook of Dog and Puppy Care and Training by Mark Shrager
Cover of the book L.L. Bean Fly-Casting Handbook, Revised and Updated by Mark Shrager
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy