Fair Clear and Terrible: The Story of Shiloh, A Strange Fragment of American History
by Nelson, Shirley
- Used
- near fine
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Near Fine/Good
- Seller
-
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Synopsis
This bizarre, true story of a dynamic religious leader and his perfectionist followers gives insight into countless extremist movements today. At the turn of the century, a young man named Frank Weston Sandford, proclaiming himself the fulfillment of certain Biblical prophecies, founded a movement called Shiloh, its central location on a hill in the town of Durham, Maine. The movement's purpose was sweeping and ultimate: to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Christ and the cataclysmic events which would usher it in. The enactment of this mission spanned twenty-five years, involving many hundreds of people. Sandford, an appealing and volatile leader, erected an extraordinary complex of buildings in Durham, opened stations in major American cities, then set sail on the high seas in a racing schooner with a select group of followers. Their intention was to circle the globe for Christ. Instead, they headed for doom. As the movement expanded, so did its aspirations -- and its dangers. The concept of itself as an apocalyptic force in the world exacted relentless personal demands. Rigorous fasts and purges kept members in a constant state of anxiety regarding their spiritual condition. While Sandford diverted funds to expand the effort to an international scale -- England, Africa, Jerusalem -- food and necessities became scarce on the Durham hilltop. Professional medical care was repudiated. Deaths began to multiply. In the court trials that structure the story, Sandford was finally convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to prison. Shirley Nelson, whose parents grew up in this unusual society, tells Shiloh's powerful story with passion, understanding, and grace. She captures the inner dimensions of an intense religious culture and deals poignantly with themes that remain current and haunting: authority, heroism, martyrdom - and the frightening phenomenon of one personality in control of many others. - Publisher.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Abstract Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 008515
- Title
- Fair Clear and Terrible: The Story of Shiloh, A Strange Fragment of American History
- Author
- Nelson, Shirley
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Good
- Edition
- First Printing
- Publisher
- British American Publishers
- Place of Publication
- Latham
- Date Published
- 1989
- Keywords
- Religion, Maine
Terms of Sale
Abstract Books
Payment with order by check on U.S. bank, money order. Please add $4.00 for the first book and $1.00 for each additional book for special U.S. 4th class shipping. U.S. postage higher for books weighing 5 pounds and over; customer will be notified of additional postage due before order is shipped. Contact us for foreign shipments, or to make arrangements for domestic shipping. Books are shipped within 48 hours and returnable within 10 days with prior notification. Indiana residents please add 7% sales tax.
About the Seller
Abstract Books
About Abstract Books
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Good+
- A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...