Facing the Flag

Jules Verne

Maison d'édition: DigiCat

Synopsis

In "Facing the Flag," Jules Verne crafts a riveting exploration of technological ambition and moral dilemmas against the backdrop of Victorian society's fascination with innovation. The narrative follows the exploits of the nefarious pirate Robur, who seeks to impose his vision of supremacy upon the world through the use of an unprecedented flying machine. Verne employs his characteristic detailed scientific imagination, blending thrilling adventure with philosophical inquiry, which raises questions about the ethics of progress in an increasingly mechanized age. This work exemplifies Verne's fixation on the duality of man's inventiveness and the potential for destruction that it harbors, resonating with the anxieties of his time regarding industrialization and imperialism. Jules Verne, often hailed as the father of science fiction, drew inspiration from his profound fascination with the mechanics of flight and maritime exploration, as well as his experiences growing up in a seafaring family in Nantes, France. His literary career flourished in an age of rapid technological advancement, allowing him to infuse his narratives with significant scientific insights. "Facing the Flag" is emblematic of his broader oeuvre, where he deftly interweaves thrilling plots with profound ethical considerations, reflecting the conflicts of his era. For readers intrigued by the intersection of adventure and moral pondering, "Facing the Flag" is a must-read. It not only captivates with its fast-paced narrative and inventive genius but also invites contemplation on the human condition and the implications of our relentless pursuit of progress. Verne's work remains both prescient and relevant, making it an enduring classic in the canon of speculative literature.

Disponible depuis: 11/10/2022.

Longueur d'impression: 149 pages.

D'autres livres qui pourraient vous intéresser

Dies Irae - From their pens to...

Kenneth Grahame

Kenneth Grahame was born on 8th March 1859 in Edinburgh.
At age 5 his mother succumbed to puerperal fever. His father, who had a drinking problem, now sent his 4 children to live with their grandmother at her large house in Cookham, Berkshire. Here the children lived in large open grounds next to the river. These early experiences would in later years, be retold in his writing through a myriad of characters.
Grahame loved being a pupil at St Edward's School, Oxford and wanted to enroll at the university there but his guardian demurred on account of the cost.
Instead, a banking career was chosen for him, starting in 1879 at the Bank of England, where he rose steadily to the rank of its Secretary until retiring, with a pension, in 1908 due to ill health.
Alongside his commercial career Grahame had written and published various stories and essays in several periodicals. Some were anthologized as ‘Pagan Papers’ in 1893, and two years later ‘The Golden Age’ and later still ‘Dream Days’ and its masterpiece ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ became part of many home libraries. His ability to view life through the lens of a young and curious child was superb, enabling the reader to easily identify with the character.
Grahame married Elspeth Thomson in 1899 and they had one child; Alastair, born semi-blind and plagued by health problems. In a heart-rending tragedy he would later take his own life whilst attending Oxford University in 1920.
In 1908 Grahame reworked many of the bedtime stories he had fashioned for his son into the enduring favourite; ‘The Wind in the Willows’, describing the heart-warming adventures of Mr Toad and his friends.
Kenneth Grahame died in Pangbourne, Berkshire, on 6th July 1932.

Voir livre

Clouds of Witness - The Lord...

Dorothy L. Sayers

Clouds of Witness: A Murder Mystery Novel by Dorothy L. SayersDelve into the captivating world of Lord Peter Wimsey with Clouds of Witness, the second installment in Dorothy L. Sayers' iconic mystery series. This timeless classic offers a gripping tale of murder, family secrets, and aristocratic intrigue.When the Duke of Denver, Lord Peter's own brother, is accused of murder, the stakes couldn't be higher. Armed with his razor-sharp intellect and unyielding determination, Lord Peter uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and political entanglements. As the truth unfolds, readers are treated to Sayers' signature blend of wit, suspense, and literary charm.Perfect for fans of classic detective fiction, Clouds of Witness showcases Dorothy L. Sayers' masterful storytelling and the enduring appeal of her brilliant and charismatic sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey.

Voir livre

The Muse's Tragedy - From their...

Edith Wharton

Edith Newbold Jones was born in New York on January 24, 1862.   Born into wealth, this background of privilege gave her a wealth of experience to eventually, after several false starts, produce many works based on it culminating in her Pulitzer Prize winning novel ‘The Age Of Innocence’ 
Marriage to Edward Robbins Wharton, who was 12 years older in 1885 seemed to offer much and for some years they travelled extensively.  After some years it was apparent that her husband suffered from acute depression and so the travelling ceased and they retired to The Mount, their estate designed by Edith.  By 1908 his condition was said to be incurable and prior to divorcing Edward in 1913 she began an affair, in 1908, with Morton Fullerton, a Times journalist, who was her intellectual equal and allowed her writing talents to push forward and write the novels for which she is so well known.  
Acknowledged as one of the great American writers with novels such as Ethan Frome and the House of Mirth among many.  Wharton also wrote many short stories, including ghost stories and poems which we are pleased to publish.  
Edith Wharton died of a stroke in 1937 at the Domaine Le Pavillon Colombe, her 18th-century house on Rue de Montmorency in Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt.

Voir livre

Cranford

Elizabeth Gaskell

In Cranford, society belongs to the women. Amazons of middle age, high refinement and "Elegant Economy". From the Jenkyn's sisters Deborah and Matilda, to Miss Pole; irascible and incredulous. From honourable Mrs Jamieson to Mrs Fitz-Adams. Elizabeth Gaskell shows us the insights and workings of these spinsters across 16 episodic chapters, first published as a serial in Household World, and later being adapted into radio, plays and even a television series. Narrated by Michael Ward.

Voir livre

Dubliners

James Joyce

"Dubliners" is a collection of 15 short stories by James Joyce, chronicling the lives of various characters in Dublin, Ireland, at the turn of the 20th century. Each story offers a snapshot of life, capturing moments of realization, epiphany, and the struggles of everyday Dubliners. Themes of paralysis, the search for meaning, the constraints of society, and the tensions between the desire for escape and the pull of home are recurrent. The stories culminate with "The Dead," considered one of the greatest short stories in the English language.

Voir livre

Almayer’s Folly - A Story of an...

Joseph Conrad

A tale of personal tragedy as well as a broader meditation on the evils of colonialism, Almayer’s Folly is Joseph Conrad’s first novel. Set in the lush jungles of Borneo in the late 1800s, it charts the decline of a Dutch merchant after a twenty-five year struggle against overwhelming odds. 
Despite the bitterness of his disillusioned wife, Almayer refuses to accept the financial ruin he has precipitated. Instead, he dreams of fantastic wealth and a triumphant return to the civilization of his youth, accompanied by his loving daughter, Nina. But when Nina turns away from his elusive fantasies to the tangible reality of her native lover, Almayer must face the fruits of his own folly.

Voir livre