Product Description
This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1901 edition by the Century Co., New York. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Trying to find an "in" with the Bluebloods
This is a fairly long and involved novel, filled with many different characters, set in post-Civil War Philadelphia. The most interesting development involves Mrs. Hunter and her insatiable desire to be accepted into upper crust Philadelphia society. She befriends the young and naïve Kitty Morrow as a possible wedge in, and is willing to do just about anything it takes to make the grade - even becoming interested in antiquarian concerns, though she despises them, to impress the blue-blooded Mr. Fairthorne (she even goes so far as to try to poison him, but she fails at this). She is really a horribly ingratiating woman, who is finally put in her place by the wise Dr. Archer. At the end, after being shunned by the society she so craved to become a part of, she leaves for Europe. This represents only part of the novel; there are many other characters and incidents as well, including the alcoholic Roger Grace, the lonely Luke Pilgrim (Mrs. Hunter's ex-husband), the sexually repressed Father Knellwood, and the ambitious medical student Roger Blount. But their stories are not as interesting as Mrs. Hunter's and add little to the novel's worth. The main problem is that the book just goes on too long and lacks focus. Only a mild success when compared to Mitchell's ROLAND BLAKE or CONSTANCE TRESCOT. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Well written first novel set in Philadelphia

This was Weir Mitchell's first novel, and he's off to a good start. Set in Philadelphia during the Civil War years, it's about the moral disintegration of a young doctor. Not only has Dr. Ezra Wendell exhibited cowardice during his service in the war, he also allows an innocent man to take the blame for the death of one of his patients. When he later accepts a loan of money from the dead man's family, it looks like a bribe or cover up. By this point, Wendell has little credibility or honor left.

But Mitchell's power as a novelist is made clear in his insistence not to make Wendell a totally evil man; his good qualities (his love of books, his social graces, his charm) are made apparent. But throughout the course of the story, Mitchell plants telling signs of Wendell's flaws: he's careless with his things, he is not at all passionate about his profession, there's a wishy-washy-ness about his behavior and outlook. Mitchell makes him an interesting character. The climax and denouement occur swiftly and carry the reader along. The near-closing scene where Wendell's lover Alice confronts him about the money is very strong. Better novels from Dr. Mitchell were in the offing, but this is a well written, credible first effort. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: Century Co. in 1913 in 529 pages; Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / General; Biography & Autobiography / Historical; Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs; Fiction / Classics; Fiction / Literary; Fiction / Short Stories; Literary Criticism / General; Literary Criticism / American / General; ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: The Century Co. in 1911 in 332 pages; Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / General; Biography & Autobiography / Historical; Biography & Autobiography / Literary; Biography & Autobiography / Women; Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs; Fiction / Literary; ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Insanity in the woods
John Sherwood almost works himself to death at his iron works in Pennsylvania. To restore his health he goes off to a remote spot on the coast of Maine where he sets up a camp and lives in a tent. Nearby, deep in the woods, lives a mysterious hermit. Sherwood learns that this man believes he has killed his wife, for which he has spent time in an insane assylum, and from which he has escaped. In a somewhat confusing sequence of events, Sherwood becomes acquainted with the hermit's wife, both try to convince him that he never killed anyone (not too successfully), the hermit dies in a fall, and Sherwood and the now-widowed woman eventually marry.

Mitchell, a famous physician in Philadelphia, interested in diseases inflicting the nervous system, including their psychological effects, shows a careful concern and curiosity for his main character and the hermit. The early part of the book is very good, but once the hermit's wife is found by Sherwood and both try to help the man, things begin to fall apart. This was one of Mitchell's last novels, and it still shows him in full control of his narrative powers. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1905.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent in every way
Set in NYC and Cape May Courthouse, NJ, this is a terrific novel revolving around an intriguing story involving a secret that causes Olivia Wynne and her mother to become virtual captives to the whims of the monstrous Octopia Darnell. Perhaps the secret is not so awful (a father's bankruptcy and suicide), especially to modern sensibilities, to cause such power over another and such misery, but it does. Octopia, as Mitchell develops her, is one of the most beastly characters in American literature, especially the way she uses her semi-invaldism as a weapon to gain sympathy. I found this novel so captivating it was hard to put down. The action is crisp, as is the dialogue. An excellent book in every way. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more