The First Battle: A Story of the Campaign of 1896

An American lawyer, orator, and politician, William Jennings Bryan ran for President of the United States three times. In 1896 he lost to the Republican nominee, William McKinley, again in 1900 he was the nominee and again lost to McKinley. In the 1908 presidential election he was defeated by Roosevelt's chosen successor, William Howard Taft. This book includes "an interesting description of the author's famous tour, including his most important speeches, together with the principal addresses and documents identified with the campaign of 1896. Also, included is a biographical sketch by his wife and numerous black and white photos.

Condition: Maroon cloth boards, with debossed circle on the front cover with bust of Bryan in silver gilt, also in silver is the title and a facsimile of his signature with a beveled edge are in very good condition with the faintest bit of rubbing. The rear board has a debossed design, beveled edges with rubbing along the top edge and gutter. The five-band spine has the title, author, illustrated and publisher in gold gilt that is bright and blemish free. The top of the spine has two small tears to the back strip, a larger piece of the fabric missing from the top front edge at the gutter and a small dark blemish at the top. Corners are very slightly bumped with wear. Spine is straight with no cracking at the endpapers with the hinges firmly attached to the decorative endpapers. Text block is solid with gold gilt along all three sides. Age tanning throughout. All interior pages are clean with no tears, cracks, or previous owner marks including the presentation page which is blank.

William Jennings Bryan (1860 – 1925) while failing to win the presidency three times still successfully served in the House of Representatives from 1891 – 1895, and as the Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 – 1915. Born and raised in Illinois he moved to Nebraska in the 1880's he achieved early fame as the youngest presidential candidate. He gained fame as an orator, as he invented the national stumping tour when he reached an audience of 5 million people in 27 states in 1896, and continued to deliver well-attended lectures on the Chautauqua circuit well into the 20th century.