Elena Aitken Popular Books
Elena Aitken Biography & Facts
The Birth of a Nation, originally called The Clansman, is a 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and play The Clansman. Griffith co-wrote the screenplay with Frank E. Woods and produced the film with Harry Aitken. The Birth of a Nation is a landmark of film history, lauded for its technical virtuosity. It was the first non-serial American 12-reel film ever made. Its plot, part fiction and part history, chronicles the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and the relationship of two families in the Civil War and Reconstruction eras over the course of several years—the pro-Union (Northern) Stonemans and the pro-Confederacy (Southern) Camerons. It was originally shown in two parts separated by an intermission, and it was the first American-made film to have a musical score for an orchestra. It pioneered closeups and fadeouts, and it includes a carefully staged battle sequence with hundreds of extras (another first) made to look like thousands. It came with a 13-page Souvenir Program. It was the first motion picture to be screened inside the White House, viewed there by President Woodrow Wilson, his family, and members of his cabinet. The film was controversial even before its release, and it has remained so ever since; it has been called "the most controversial film ever made in the United States": 198 and "the most reprehensibly racist film in Hollywood history". The film has been denounced for its racist depiction of African Americans. The film portrays its black characters (many of whom are played by white actors in blackface) as unintelligent and sexually aggressive toward white women. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is portrayed as a heroic force, necessary to preserve American values, protect white women, and maintain white supremacy. Popular among white audiences nationwide upon its release, the film's success was both a consequence of and a contributor to racial segregation throughout the U.S. In response to the film's depictions of black people and Civil War history, African Americans across the U.S. organized and protested. In Boston and other localities, black leaders and the NAACP spearheaded an unsuccessful campaign to have it banned on the basis that it inflamed racial tensions and could incite violence. It was also denied release in Chicago, Ohio, Denver, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Minneapolis. Griffith's indignation at efforts to censor or ban the film motivated him to produce Intolerance the following year. In spite of its divisiveness, The Birth of a Nation was a massive commercial success across the nation—grossing far more than any previous motion picture—and it profoundly influenced both the film industry and American culture. Adjusted for inflation, the film remains one of the highest-grossing films ever made. It has been acknowledged as an inspiration for the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan, which took place only a few months after its release. In 1992, the Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. Plot Part 1: Civil War of United States Phil, the elder son of the Stonemans (a Northern family), falls in love with Margaret Cameron (the daughter of a Southern family), during a visit to the Cameron estate in South Carolina. There, Margaret's brother, Ben, idolizes a picture of Elsie Stoneman, Phil's sister. When the Civil War arrives, the young men of both families enlist in their respective armies. The younger Stoneman and two of the Cameron brothers are killed in combat. Meanwhile, a black militia attacks the Cameron home and is routed by Confederate soldiers, who save the Cameron women. Leading the final charge at the Siege of Petersburg, Ben Cameron earns the nickname of "the Little Colonel", but is also wounded and captured. He is then taken to a Union military hospital in Washington, D.C. During his stay at the hospital, he is told that he will be hanged. Working there as a nurse is Elsie Stoneman, whose picture he has been carrying. Elsie takes Cameron's mother, who had traveled there to tend her son, to see Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Cameron persuades him to pardon Ben. When Lincoln is assassinated, his conciliatory postwar policy expires with him. In the wake of Lincoln's death, Elsie's father and other Radical Republicans are determined to punish the South. Part 2: Reconstruction Stoneman and his protégé Silas Lynch, a psychopathic mulatto, head to South Carolina to observe the implementation of Reconstruction policies. During the election, in which Lynch is elected lieutenant governor, black people stuff the ballot boxes, while many white people are denied the vote. The newly elected members of the South Carolina legislature are mostly black. Inspired by observing white children pretending to be ghosts to scare black children, Ben fights back by forming the Ku Klux Klan. As a result, Elsie breaks up with him. While going off alone into the woods to fetch water, Flora Cameron is followed by Gus, a freedman and soldier who is now a captain. He tells Flora he desires to marry her. Uninterested, she rejects him, but Gus keeps insisting. Frightened, she flees into the forest, pursued by Gus. Trapped on a precipice, Flora warns Gus she will jump if he comes any closer. When he does, she leaps to her death. While looking for Flora, Ben sees her jump and holds her as she dies. He then carries her body to the Cameron home. In response, the Klan hunts down Gus, tries him, finds him guilty, and lynches him. After discovering Gus' murder, Lynch orders a crackdown on the Klan. He also secures the passing of legislation allowing mixed-race marriages. Dr. Cameron is arrested for possessing Ben's Klan regalia, now considered a capital crime. He is rescued by Phil Stoneman and a few of his black servants. Together with Margaret Cameron, they flee. When their wagon breaks down, they make their way through the woods to a small hut that is home to two former Union soldiers who agree to hide them. Congressman Stoneman, Elsie's father, leaves to avoid being connected with Lynch's crackdown. Elsie, learning of Dr. Cameron's arrest, goes to Lynch to plead for his release. Lynch, who lusts after Elsie, tries to force her to marry him, which causes her to faint. Stoneman returns, causing Elsie to be placed in another room. At first Stoneman is happy when Lynch tells him he wants to marry a white woman, but he is then angered when Lynch says that it is Elsie he wishes to marry. Elsie breaks a window and cries out for help, getting the attention of undercover Klansman spies. The Klan gathered together, with Ben leading them, ride in to gain control of the town. When news about Elsie reaches Ben, he and others go to her rescue. Lynch is captured while his militia attacks the hut where the Camerons are hiding. However, the Klansmen, .... Discover the Elena Aitken popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Elena Aitken books.
Best Seller Elena Aitken Books of 2024
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Hers to Take
Elena AitkenHer family or her heart? She made the wrong choice once before. Can she survive it a second time? From the moment Nash lays eyes on the curvy, sassy shebear, he knows ...
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Midnight Springs
Elena AitkenShe needs his help. He has nothing to lose. Except his heart. Known for his tasty dishes, and his even spicier personality, Executive Chef, Jax Carver's st...
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Choosing Happily Ever After
Elena AitkenUSA Today Bestselling Author, Elena Aitken invites you to celebrate happily ever after in her brand new, sexysweet series that will make you say, “I do!” He broke her heart o...
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Summit of Desire
Elena AitkenHe’s on top of the world with the love of his life at his side. She can’t see past her insecurities to be truly happy. Can they conquer their biggest challenge everthemselves...
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All We Never Knew
Elena AitkenAn emotional, women's fiction standalone novel from USA Today Bestselling Author. All We Never Knew is a powerful "mustread" story of one woman's journey of strength. &...
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Mistaken Gifts
Elena AitkenWhen you're looking for a little escape to the rugged mountain landscape that's as beautiful as it is wild, unwind at Castle Mountain Lodge. Eva Andrews would do anything for her b...
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Return to Vegas
Elena AitkenFive years after being reunited in Las Vegas, Lexi and Leo have settled into domestic bliss. Or have they? Lexi would never dream of keeping anything from Leo, but she ...
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Secret Gifts
Elena AitkenIf partyboy Gage Mitchell doesn't shape up, he'll lose the acting role of a lifetime, and with it, the only means he has to help his family. PR rep, Megan Powers has only one jobke...
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Summit of Seduction
Elena AitkenA onenight stand, opposites attract, accidental pregnancy, smalltown romance from USA Today Best Selling Author, Elena Aitken. He's the last thing she needs. She's not his type. T...
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Wanting Happily Ever After
Elena AitkenHe’s her best friend. She’s holding on to an old hurt. Will guarding her heart keep her from the one thing that can heal her for good? A young widow with a chil...
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Falling into Forever
Elena AitkenHe’s falling for a beautiful stranger. She’s guarded and unsure. The truth of her past could destroy their new love. The last thing Officer Rhys Anderson expects to encount...
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The Springs Collection
Elena AitkenSlip into the Springs! Fall in love with the people of Cedar Springs. Nestled in a mountain valley on the edge of a crystal clear lake, a ski hill up the road, and an exclusive ...
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Finding Happily Ever After
Elena AitkenHe's looking for a fresh start. She's not even looking. Neither of them believed in love at first sight. Until now. Aiden Adams has worked hard to put the lies and drama of his pas...
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His to Tame
Elena AitkenFated mates. A fated family. One mistake that could shatter them all. A small town cop and a single dad, Gabe Wilder already has more on his plate than he can ha...
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Hidden Gifts
Elena AitkenWhen you're looking for a little escape to the rugged mountain landscape that's as beautiful as it is wild, unwind at Castle Mountain Lodge. Morgan's looking to hide out from her l...
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Second Glances
Elena AitkenHe’s always loved her. Will she finally see what was always in front of her? When Kylie Wilson receives a mysterious invitation for an all expenses paid trip to a tropical, all in...
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Escape to the Sun
Elena AitkenParadise is the perfect place to hide, but can a troubled past ever be left behind? A change of scenery is just what Heather Holt needs when her marriage falls apart, and what bett...
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Holiday Gifts
Elena AitkenHe's given up on the idea of love. She's a busy mom who wants to give her daughter the world. Is it the magic of the season…or is love really the best present of all? For Ry...
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His to Claim
Elena AitkenHe's haunted by the secrets of the past. She's running towards a safer future. An undeniable attraction with the power to save them both…if it's not too late. The last thing...
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Needing Happily Ever After
Elena AitkenShe'd do anything for him. Including marrying him. But falling in love? That wasn't part of the deal. Billionaire Damon Banks has everything he could ever want. Almost. When his ch...
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His to Seek
Elena AitkenNothing can stand in the way of fated matesexcept maybe themselves. Despite being named the most eligible bachelor in the country, all billionaire Cyrus Steele wants to...
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Goodbye Gifts
Elena AitkenVisit Castle Mountain Lodge, where sometimes falling in lovemeans saying goodbye. For Carmen Kincaidthe customer service manager at Castle Mountain Lodgework has always come before...
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Fighting Happily Ever After
Elena AitkenThere's only ever been one woman for him. The problem? She's never believed in love and she's not about to start now. Sexy, over confident and way too cocky for...
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Seeking Happily Ever After
Elena AitkenPretending to be engaged to a sexy, billionaire, single dad? Easy! Not falling in love…much, much harder! Nick Newton’s billionaire partying lifestyle was turned upsi...
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Hidden in the Sand
Elena AitkenA smalltown girl with trust issues. A Hollywood super star with one hell of a reputation. A picture perfect ending? Or will it be nothing but trouble in Paradise? As H...
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Tempting Gifts
Elena AitkenWorking in the children's club at the Lodge, reputation is important which is why Lisa Gibbs is tired of the party boys only looking for a onenight stand. She's serious about her l...
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Christmas Gifts Collection
Elena AitkenFall in Love this Christmas with an Exclusive Holiday Box Set! Three heartwarming standalone love stories full of romance and happy ever afters set in the stunning Canadian ...
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Unexpected Gifts
Elena AitkenLet it snow with a sweet Christmas contemporary romance! Cozy up to the Castle Mountain Lodge in the middle of the remote Canadian Rockies for Unexpected Gifts. Christmas represent...
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One More Moment
Elena AitkenThe series that readers are calling, "touching, funny, sweet and gutwrenching all mixed together." By USA Today Bestselling Author, Elena Aitken! Can love in the spotligh...
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His to Seduce
Elena AitkenLove at first sight? Fated mates? No way! Fiercely independent, she's determined to deny their attraction. He’s just as determined to change her mind. Strong and independent...
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When We Left
Elena AitkenShe needs a fresh start. He needs her to see how he’s changed. Can time really heal everything and make a second chance at love possible? Reeling from a painful d...
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His to Defend
Elena AitkenHe’s a shifter. She’s a human. Their attraction is…dangerous. Her best friend’s wedding at Grizzly Ridge is just the break from reality that Nina needs. Not to mentio...
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Promised Gifts
Elena AitkenShe was in love with her brother's best friend. He broke her heart. Time heals…but is it enough for a second chance? It's been eight years since Maris...
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Fighting for Forever
Elena Aitken"With the right person, marriage isn’t a life sentence. It’s a life." Ever since falling in love at The Springs, Rhys and Kari have been living a fairy tale, but fairy tales aren't...
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Love in the Moment
Elena AitkenThe series that readers are calling, "touching, funny, sweet and gutwrenching all mixed together." By USA Today Bestselling Author, Elena Aitken! She can’t get ove...
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Hers for the Season
Elena AitkenWhen attraction puts everythingand everyoneat risk, the choice is simple… Living her life surrounded by Grizzly shifters hasn’t been easy for Bree because of...
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Composing Myself
Elena Aitken"Composing Myself is a heartwarming story of forgiving the people you love, and finding the strength to stand up and be proud of where you came from. I laughed, I cried, and I had ...
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Unexpected Endings
Elena Aitken~A Castle Mountain Lodge Romance Short Story~ Return to the beautiful, rustic and romantic Castle Mountain Lodge and catch up with Andi and Colin who prove that sometimes Unexpecte...
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Summer of Change
Elena AitkenHe's used to getting what he wants. And he wants her. Successful, handsome and too damn charming for his own goodhe's perfect. The only problem? Letting him in could destroy ever...
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Shelter by the Sea
Elena AitkenHe’s determined to leave his past behind. She’s committed to a new and better future. But a guarded heart and an inability to trust may be too much to overcome, even in paradise. C...