Oil!

Upton Sinclair

Sinossi

The road ran, smooth and flawless, precisely fourteen feet wide, the edges trimmed as if by shears, a ribbon of grey concrete, rolled out over the valley by a giant hand. The ground went in long waves, a slow ascent and then a sudden dip; you climbed, and went swiftly over—but you had no fear, for you knew the magic ribbon would be there, clear of obstructions, unmarred by bump or scar, waiting the passage of inflated rubber wheels revolving seven times a second. The cold wind of morning whistled by, a storm of motion, a humming and roaring with ever-shifting overtones; but you sat snug behind a tilted wind-shield, which slid the gale up over your head. Sometimes you liked to put your hand up, and feel the cold impact; sometimes you would peer around the side of the shield, and let the torrent hit your forehead, and toss your hair about. But for the most part you sat silent and dignified—because that was Dad’s way, and Dad’s way constituted the ethics of motoring.

Disponibile da: 01/05/2023.

Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

Recognition

Susan Greenwood

It is 1717 and a remarkable woman is reflecting on a life lived, always knowing she was different, always wondering why. 
 
 
 
Even as a young child, Elisabeth was able to see, do, and feel things that others clearly could not—and knew to be careful. It was the era of witch-hunting in France and many like her were tortured and burnt at the stake. 
 
 
 
Visions she's experienced all her life become a reality when Elisabeth travels to England and finds herself at Oakwood Grange, the home of Alice Harryman. Traumatic events forge an unbreakable bond between the two women and Elisabeth uses her skills to safeguard Alice and her family any way she can, content that this is her calling. 
 
 
 
But she soon realizes that there's something special about this particular location. How come others have been expecting her? Why are some animals more than they seem? Is it possible that her presence here is more important than she imagined? 
 
 
 
Finally, Elisabeth recognizes herself for what she truly is. She now understands the purpose of her life, and is prepared to meet the challenge . . . 
 
 
 
 . . . but it's dangerous and she will need to use all her powers. 
 
 
 
No one said fighting evil was going to be easy.

Mostra libro

Les Miserables Volume 1

Victor Hugo

In "Les Misérables Volume 1" by Victor Hugo, the story begins with ex-convict Jean Valjean, who strives to rebuild his life after serving 19 years for stealing bread. Pursued relentlessly by Inspector Javert, Valjean’s journey of redemption unfolds against a backdrop of poverty, injustice, and revolution in post-revolutionary France. Themes of morality, grace, and societal inequality are explored as Valjean seeks to protect those he loves while grappling with his past. Hugo intricately weaves personal struggles with broader social issues, painting a vivid picture of human suffering and resilience. This powerful narrative captures the enduring fight for justice and compassion in an unforgiving world.

Mostra libro

Passage To Moorea

B.R. O'Hagan

1872 
From the turquoise blue waters of Polynesia to the grimy alleys of New York City, the chase is on. 
Civil War hero and adventurer Thomas Scoundrel is working as an investigative journalist in San Francisco, where he pens an exposé of a powerful businessman and is marked for death. 
He stows away on a warship bound for Hawai'i, wins a sugar plantation in a poker hand, and battles missionary bankers, loan-collecting Tahitian warriors, Irish gang leaders, a ruthless assassin and the most powerful figures in the world of fine art. 
From a starlit swim in a cobalt lagoon with the Princess of the Kingdom of Hawai’i, to hand-to-hand combat with a legendary South Seas fighter, and a race to stay a step ahead of the growing number of killers bent on seeing him dead, Thomas risks everything for his friends and the woman he loves. 
Along the way he trades stories with Jules Verne and Ulysses S. Grant, plays a leading role in the birth of Impressionistic art, and inspires a young Teddy Roosevelt to break out of his pampered shell and embrace a life of vigorous adventure. 
Thomas Scoundrel is no stranger to death and danger, but in Passage to Moorea he faces a trial whose devastating consequences will change his life forever

Mostra libro

Rock Bottom Tennessee

Kimberly Nixon

Life is hard for Ruby, who grew up in poverty on the wrong side of the mountain on her grandfather's farm, where the sun literally didn't shine. The Appalachian setting isn't her friend as she searches for an easy life at the "tippy-top" with contentment and security. Ruby makes a series of poor decisions, causing her life to tumble into an unexpected outcome.Joseph knew that he always wanted to be a teacher. His family, one of the more prosperous on the mountain, surrounded him with love and support and encouraged him to find happiness with a family of his own.Leon, a former farmhand on her grandfather's farm, darts in and out of Ruby's life on his way toward a life of crime.The Four Winds meets Blind Tiger in this tale set in Prohibition-era Appalachian Tennessee in the early 1900s. The setting and mountain community become other characters of the story. Based on a real-life tale of the author's grandmother, the reader gets immersed in Ruby's choices as she searches for worthiness and belonging. Was the adventure worth the loss of her family? Will Ruby find what she is looking for?"In this gritty tale of danger, daring, and morally ambiguous women, Kimberly Nixon shows her talent for creating flawed but compelling characters. At times both tense and touching, Rock Bottom, Tennessee is powerful in its humanity. With a richly detailed setting, the story captures its era well." ~Kim Lozano, writer and editor"Nixon's original and unflinching prose reveals Ruby Sullivan's hardscrabble odyssey from Appalachian poverty towards self-worth and belonging." - Elizabeth Sumner Wafler, author

Mostra libro

Taming the Twisted 2...

Jodie Toohey

It may have appeared that the Sinkey family had tamed the twisted, but with a war disrupting their world as much as the tornado, there’s even more to unravel. Alice Sinkey, Abigail’s younger sister, gets the chance to tell her story in Taming the Twisted 2 Reconstructing Rain – from her estranged relationship with her best friend to dealing with a scoundrel she thought had left their lives forever so she can leave her family safe when she escapes her stifling responsibilities to a new life. But she discovers that things aren’t always what they seem, and the world away from home isn’t always better.

Mostra libro

The Illusions - The most...

Liz Hyder

At a time of extraordinary change, two women must harness their talents to take control of their own destiny . . .Bristol, 1896. Used to scraping a living as the young assistant to an ageing con artist, Cecily Marsden's life is turned upside down when her master suddenly dies. Believing herself to blame, could young Cec somehow have powers she little understands?Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. George believes that if he can harness this new technology, it will revolutionise the world of magic forever - but in order to achieve his dreams, he must first win over Miss Carleton . . .As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle - to mark both the retirement of legendary master The Professor and the announcement of his successor - Cec, Eadie and George's worlds collide. But Cec soon finds herself facing the fight of her life to save the performance from sabotage - and harness the element of real magic held deep within her . . .THE ILLUSIONS is the captivating new novel from the much-lauded author of THE GIFTS. Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . .

Mostra libro