The classic story of how trying to achieve the "American Dream" can corrupt! Through the character of Clyde Griffiths... Dreiser does an excellent job The classic story of how trying to achieve the "American Dream" can corrupt! Through the character of Clyde Griffiths... Dreiser does an excellent job of showing the internal struggle faced by Clyde as he tried to rise the social ladder and how at the end it had tragic consequences for so many.
Just as a note... Book Three is quite the legal thriller as Clyde finds himself in court for the murder of the girl he was seeing and eventually got pregnant. The court scenes were actually quite riveting. ...more
The American West during the 1860's as only Mark Twain can describe during his journey across the nation and beyond during that time. Twain talks abouThe American West during the 1860's as only Mark Twain can describe during his journey across the nation and beyond during that time. Twain talks about riding a stagecoach across the prairie, then a train... the pony express, Indians, Salt Lake City and the Mormons, Virginia City, Carson City, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, mining for silver... and then Hawaii... and much, much more. The wit and humor of Twain is fully present as he shares his insights into his travels. A great read ....more
A true American classic and coming of age story set in the early 1950's in the Texas town of Thalia. The story is filled with unforgetable characters eA true American classic and coming of age story set in the early 1950's in the Texas town of Thalia. The story is filled with unforgetable characters either growing up... or, trying to make sense of their seemingly lost and dull lives. This is a story of how time marches on... and how our lives change... and most often that is a hard adjustment. "The Last Picture Show" in the title refers to the last picture show that showed toward the end of the book as the town theater has to close. It signifies a closure in a way of life for many of the folks who live in the town. Its time to move on... but as McMurtry shows... it is not at all easy... for the young and also for the adults.. Just a great read and unforgetable story....more
A huge cast of characters and family come together in the Mississippi Delta for the Wedding of one of the daughters. Set in 1923 it is a detailed look A huge cast of characters and family come together in the Mississippi Delta for the Wedding of one of the daughters. Set in 1923 it is a detailed look of life at the time on a southern plantation with all of the family secrets and issues that would involve. ...more
Absolutely 'sleeper' classic of American Literature. In "Winesburg, Ohio" Anderson showcases the town of Winesburg through the many characters he writeAbsolutely 'sleeper' classic of American Literature. In "Winesburg, Ohio" Anderson showcases the town of Winesburg through the many characters he writes about in this collection of short stories. The stories are all related either to the town or in many cases to the characters themselves as they keep moving in and out. The period is the late 1800's and the readers gets to know each of the characters: their dreams, desires, secrets, fears and passions. This is nostalgia at its best in one way but also a glimpse into how people are people are people in what they want and strive for... A great read....more
A scary and disturbing journey into a 'what if' scenario regarding America and its social and political climate and whether a potential tyrannical dicA scary and disturbing journey into a 'what if' scenario regarding America and its social and political climate and whether a potential tyrannical dictator CAN take over as President and make the necessary changes to stay in power? Much of what happens in the story was already happening, or the seeds firmly being planted, in Nazi Germany at the time this book was published.(1935) Think something like "1984" by Orwell but much, much worse. ...more
Fitzgerald captured his times and focused often on subjects of young love, the gap between the rich and the poor, and the differnces of the North and Fitzgerald captured his times and focused often on subjects of young love, the gap between the rich and the poor, and the differnces of the North and the South. Excellent short stories....more
Fitzgerald touched on the sparks that move us all... The dreams of our youth, our first loves... and then follows with reality. It just doesn't alwaysFitzgerald touched on the sparks that move us all... The dreams of our youth, our first loves... and then follows with reality. It just doesn't always work that way. Remorse, regret... understanding? ...more
Its always interesting to read a writers first work... especially when that writer went on to become one of the leaders in American Literature.
WrittenIts always interesting to read a writers first work... especially when that writer went on to become one of the leaders in American Literature.
Written while in his 20's, "Cup Of Gold" is a fictionalized telling of the life of Henry Morgan... who was one of the most infamous pirates that ever lived. Steinbeck tells his tale as quite the adventure story. Morgan from his youth simply wanted to hit the high seas. He did. Filled with graphic descriptions of buccaneer life and the bloodthirsty nature of their quests... Steinbeck also adds the issues of slavery to the mix.
But the story is not a simple straightforward adventure story... it also reads as a kind of Arthurian romance... as Morgan has a quest... his search for his holy grail... in Panama.
This is a story that can be read on a few levels... but as a debut... simply remarkable and fun to read....more
To be able to listen to the classic short stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe as narrated by Basil Rathbone and Vincent Price is priceless. This audiTo be able to listen to the classic short stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe as narrated by Basil Rathbone and Vincent Price is priceless. This audio collection was my perfect companion going into Halloween this weekend.
Some of the best on the recording:
The Fall Of The House Of Usher The Pit And The Pendulum The Tell-Tale Heart The Masque Of The Red Death The Raven...more
Twain takes on British nobility and American values in this comic story that allows Twain to make great comments on life in America, where everyone isTwain takes on British nobility and American values in this comic story that allows Twain to make great comments on life in America, where everyone is supposedly 'equal' and the infatuation that some Americans have with British royalty. ...more
Satan appears one day in an Austrian Village in the late 16th century. Satan befriends three young men of the village and as the story unfolds we get Satan appears one day in an Austrian Village in the late 16th century. Satan befriends three young men of the village and as the story unfolds we get to experience once again how Twain pokes fun at mankind and civilization while using Satan as his guide. The three young men that Satan befriends are infatuated with Satan as he 'teaches' them about themselves and the world from his point of view. Along with what Satan shares... Twain also takes a jab at the witch hysteria of the times and how it made no sense and really simply took advantage of those who could not fight back. It usually came down to fear of the unknown and then evolved into a form of mob hysteria that then took on a life of its own... and rarely ended well....more
A powerful story of loss. America in the mid 18th century was a rough environment...it was a time of war between the British and the French as well asA powerful story of loss. America in the mid 18th century was a rough environment...it was a time of war between the British and the French as well as a war with the Native Americans. Cooper provides an interesting story of that time with very descriptive writing that at times is very graphic and intense. Cooper also paints beautiful scenes of nature along with the descriptions of his characters. It is always interesting to read a book written so long ago (almost 100 years ago) and getting the perspective from that time on important themes that are just as relevant today as they were then.
"Little Women" is one of the quintessential works on growing up and family. A true American Classic that takes place during and post Civil War as we ar"Little Women" is one of the quintessential works on growing up and family. A true American Classic that takes place during and post Civil War as we are introduced to the March family consisting of four sisters and their parents. The girls are teenagers when we first meet them and through the course of the book life happens; they fall in love and eventually marry... for the most part. Do not want to give away any spoilers. The story is told from the perspective of Jo March who is the second oldest sister and she is an aspiring writer. Mr. March (dad) is away fighting in the Civil War but the story never gets directly involved with the war... it is happening in the distance. The story is more about relationships, morality and simply put growing up. There is a degree of moralization in the writing as the author shares opinions and beliefs about what is the right thing etc. But above all else is a great story of the four sisters and their lives and how they each learn to grow into women of their own while never forgetting their roots and their families. ...more
Published in 1873 "The Gilded Age" is a blast from the past that features themes that could easily have been taken from todays headlines. Mark Twain aPublished in 1873 "The Gilded Age" is a blast from the past that features themes that could easily have been taken from todays headlines. Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner collaborated on this work that defined an age... "the gilded age" which is the period between the Civil War and 1900 in America.
This is a story about: Corruption in Washington DC Politicians gaining power and maintaining power at all costs Investigations in Washington DC by committee after committee Money talks... on all levels Women and their place in the work force Get rich quick schemes and get rich quick dreams The power of a woman's beauty
It is a fun read and depending on your edition has terrific period illustrations.
Here are a some great quotes:
“The eight years in America from 1860 to 1868 uprooted institutions that were centuries old, changed the politics of a people, transformed the social life of half the country, and wrought so profoundly upon the entire national character that the influence cannot be measured short of two or three generations.”
“Laura had her dreams. She detested the narrow limits in which her lot was cast, she hated poverty. Much of her reading had been of modern works of fiction, written by her own sex, which had revealed to her something of her own powers and given her indeed, an exaggerated notion of the influence, the wealth, the position a woman may attain who has beauty and talent and ambition and a little culture, and is not too scrupulous in the use of them.”
Washington DC: “It doesn’t need a crowbar to break your way into society there as it does in Philadelphia. It’s democratic, Washington is. Money or beauty will open any door. If I were a handsome woman, I shouldn’t want any better place than the capital to pick up a prince or a fortune.”
Politicians in Washington: “Well I am afraid some of them do buy their seats – yes, I am afraid they do – but As Senator Dilworthy himself said to me, it is sinful, it is very wrong– it is shameful; heaven protect me from such a charge. That is what Dilworthy said. And yet when you come to look at it you cannot deny that we would have to go without the services of some of our ablest men, Sir, if the country were opposed to -to-bribery. It is a harsh term. I do not like to use it.”
Ruth (one of the main female characters who is studying medicine) talking to a male friend: “The worst of it is that you men do not want women educated to do anything, to be able to earn an honest living by their own exertions. They are educated as if they were always to be petted and supported, and there was never to be any such thing as misfortune. I suppose, now, that you would all choose to have me stay idly at home, and give up my profession.”
A News Reporter: “Even in these days , when people growl so much and the newspapers are so out of patience, there is still a very respectable minority of honest men in Congress.”
Twain's irony on political infighting: “There is no country in the world whose representatives try each other as much as ours, or stick to it as long on a stretch. I think there is something great in being a model for the whole civilized world, Washington.” ...more
The writing is outstanding, the story is spellbinding and the topic is timeless! Need I say more as to why you should read "Their Eyes Were Watching GoThe writing is outstanding, the story is spellbinding and the topic is timeless! Need I say more as to why you should read "Their Eyes Were Watching God"?
Hurston gives the reader nothing short of a masterpiece in this love story of Janie and Tea Cake... but there is much, much more here than a timeless love story of the deep south of Florida set in the early 20th century.
This is the story of a woman (Janie), a black woman, finding herself and affirming herself as a woman first and also as a black woman... in an America that was very black or white, and in an America that had a huge separation between men and women.
This is the story of being a woman in a man's world and about being black in a very white world. It is a story of meeting those challenges head-on, as Janie did, even with all of her hardships and tragedy along the way... to not only survive... but to survive as a stronger person and to be able to accept who you are and feel good about yourself no matter what anyone else may say or think.
The book was published over 80 years ago and it just might be more relevant today than it was when first published....more
Stephen Crane may have been born after the Civil War was over but his classic "The Red Badge Of Courage" is a very realistic snapshot of both the horrStephen Crane may have been born after the Civil War was over but his classic "The Red Badge Of Courage" is a very realistic snapshot of both the horrors, the heroism, the uncertainty and the psychology of the battle that he describes as seen through the eyes of a very youthful soldier: Henry Fleming. There is cowardice, indifference, doubt, euphoria...a kinship among the soldiers of both sides. Crane portrays the silence before the battle, the leisure atmosphere of the camp, the anticipation and anxiety and then the power of the conflict: the roar of the guns, both rifle and artillery, the smoke rising "a vast quantity of blue smoke hung before them. The mighty banging made ears valueless"
Yes, this is also a coming of age story as Henry grows up quickly as he goes from being a coward and running away form his first battle to... “He suddenly lost concern for himself, and forgot to look at a menacing fate. He became not a man but a member. He felt that something of which he was a part--- was in crisis.”
And then..“He had slept and awakening found himself a knight.”
In a simple sense this is as close to the 'you are there' as you might get when reading about the Civil War... as Crane takes you into the minds and hearts of the combatants....more
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