When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12
SKU: 77915590741

When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12

Sale price$15.29 Regular price$16.99
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 7 - Jul 12

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12From Jay Feldmen comes an enlightening work about how the most powerful earthquakes in the history of America united the Indians in one last desperate rebellion, reversed the Mississippi River, revealed a seamy murder in the Jefferson family, and altered the course of the War of 1812. On December 15, 1811, two of Thomas Jefferson's nephews murdered a slave in cold blood and put his body parts into a roaring fire. The evidence would have been destroyed

From Jay Feldmen comes an enlightening work about how the most powerful earthquakes in the history of America united the Indians in one last desperate rebellion, reversed the Mississippi River, revealed a seamy murder in the Jefferson family, and altered the course of the War of 1812.

On December 15, 1811, two of Thomas Jefferson's nephews murdered a slave in cold blood and put his body parts into a roaring fire. The evidence would have been destroyed but for a rare act of God--or, as some believed, of the Indian chief Tecumseh.

That same day, the Mississippi River's first steamboat, piloted by Nicholas Roosevelt, powered itself toward New Orleans on its maiden voyage. The sky grew hazy and red, and jolts of electricity flashed in the air. A prophecy by Tecumseh was about to be fulfilled.

He had warned reluctant warrior-tribes that he would stamp his feet and bring down their houses. Sure enough, between December 16, 1811, and late April 1812, a catastrophic series of earthquakes shook the Mississippi River Valley. Of the more than 2,000 tremors that rumbled across the land during this time, three would have measured nearly or greater than 8.0 on the not-yet-devised Richter Scale. Centered in what is now the bootheel region of Missouri, the New Madrid earthquakes were felt as far away as Canada; New York; New Orleans; Washington, DC; and the western part of the Missouri River. A million and a half square miles were affected as the earth's surface remained in a state of constant motion for nearly four months. Towns were destroyed, an eighteen-mile-long by five-mile-wide lake was created, and even the Mississippi River temporarily ran backwards.

The quakes uncovered Jefferson's nephews' cruelty and changed the course of the War of 1812 as well as the future of the new republic. In When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, Jay Feldman expertly weaves together the story of the slave murder, the steamboat, Tecumseh, and the war, and brings a forgotten period back to vivid life. Tecumseh's widely believed prophecy, seemingly fulfilled, hastened an unprecedented alliance among southern and northern tribes, who joined the British in a disastrous fight against the U.S. government. By the end of the war, the continental United States was secure against Britain, France, and Spain; the Indians had lost many lives and much land; and Jefferson's nephews were exposed as murderers. The steamboat, which survived the earthquake, was sunk.

When the Mississippi Ran Backwards sheds light on this now-obscure yet pivotal period between the Revolutionary and Civil wars, uncovering the era's dramatic geophysical, political, and military upheavals. Feldman paints a vivid picture of how these powerful earthquakes made an impact on every aspect of frontier life--and why similar catastrophic quakes are guaranteed to recur. When the Mississippi Ran Backwards is popular history at its best.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Free Press
Published: 04/07/2012
ISBN: 9780743242790
Pages: 320
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.80d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 77915590741

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.7 ★★★★★
Based on 387 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
M
Verified Purchase
Madison G
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect for light/moderate chewers
Size: Extra Small, Color: Blue, Size: Extra Small, Color: Blue
My dog wouldn’t stop biting on the toddlers plastic dinosaur toys, so I got him this because it’s similar to plastic. But not hard enough to where it could damage his gums, also not soft enough to break apart. It’s perfect and he’s very happy with it. My dog is 6 LB toy poodle for reference, I would say this is suitable for small dogs. I saw reviews saying that their dog absolutely destroyed it immediately, but then in the review pictures their dogs were baby bulldogs/german shepards! This isn’t meant for breeds like that, but if you have a smaller dog with smaller teeth then this is ideal.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Kayann
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Quality and long lasting
Size: Extra Small (Pack of 2), Color: Blue
Highly Recommended!!! My 9 Shihtzu’s absolutely love the smell the durability and taste their thick so last long Thankfully I have to buy these every month!!!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Kindle Customer
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 4
Is this safe for my dog if she chews off little pieces.
Size: Small/Medium, Color: yellow
My Chihuahua loves this, however I want to know is it safe for my dog to swallow? She chews on it and gets little pieces of it and swallows them.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2026
V
Verified Purchase
Valarie Amundsen
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Chews
Size: Extra Small, Color: Blue
Chewy toys to keep my dogs, teeth, healthy very important. This was a very good price and I highly recommend buying it for your puppy.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
Judy
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 3
Dog likes some
Size: Extra Small, Color: Blue
Puppy will chew on this but not favorite. Over time it gets sharp pieces and dog could ingest. Not sure how safe for a small dog. Affordable but not long lasting.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2026

recommand products