The honour of founding the modern detective story belongs to an American writer. Such tales as "The Purloined Letter" and "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" still stand unrivalled. We in America no more than the world of letters at large, did not readily realize what Poe had done when he created Auguste Dupin-the prototype of Sherlock Holmes et genus omnes, up to the present hour. On Poe's work is built the whole school of French detective story writers. Conan Doyle derived his inspiration from them in turn, and our American writers of today are helped from both French and English sources. It is rare enough to find the detective in fiction even today, however, who is not lacking in one supreme quality, -scientific imagination. Auguste Dupin had it. Dickens, had he lived a short time longer, might have turned his genius in this direction. The last thing he wrote was the "Mystery of Edwin Drood," the mystery of which is still unravelled. I have heard the opinion expressed by an eminent living writer that had Dickens' life been prolonged he would probably have become the greatest master of the detective story, except Poe. The detective story heretofore has been based upon one of two methods: analysis or deduction. The former was Poe's, to take the typical example; the latter is Conan Doyle's. Of late the discoveries of science have been brought into play in this field of fiction with notable results. The most prominent of such innovators, indeed the first one, is Arthur Reeve, an American writer, whose "Black Hand" will be found in this collection; which has endeavoured within its limited space to cover the field from the start-the detective story-wholly the outgrowth of the more highly developed police methods which have sprung into being within little more than half a century, being only so old.
Edited by Joseph Lewis French, this collection of 9 riddle stories includes ""The Mysterious Card"" and its sequel by Cleveland Moffett, ""The Oblong Box"" by Poe, ""A Terribly Strange Bed"" by Wilkie Collins, ""The Lost Room"" by Fitz-James O'Brien and others selected as masterful examples of the genre by the editor. He says in the forward: ""A distinguished American writer of fiction said to me lately: 'Did you ever think of the vital American way we live? We are always going after mental gymnastics.' Now the mystery story is mental gymnastics. ... The stories of this collection cover a wide range and are the choice of reading in several literatures."" Joseph Lewis French (1858-1936) was a novelist, editor, poet and newspaper man. The New York Times noted in 1925 that he may be ""the most industrious anthologist of his time."" He is known for his popular themed collections, and published over twenty-five books between 1918 and his death in 1936.
P.S. Lewis's work has done much to make the history of Prance in the later middle ages more accessible to the English reader and to establish new lines of enquiry and interpretation. The book's central theme is the physical and mental structure of French politics in the period. Following a general survey, the author illustrates his arguments by examining a series of institutions, attitudes and ideas.
In a careful exposition of French Marxism, William Lewis places Althusser and his thought alongside the pre- and post-war French communist intellectual climate: the result is an excellent and unique work. Part theoretical treatise on some of Althusser's more complicated and less explored ideas, part intellectual history, Louis Althusser and the Traditions of French Marxism is, in total, an important text for philosophy, French and francophone studies, political thought, cultural studies, marxist thought, and several other disciplines interested in the intellectual life and times of the twientieth century.
Gwynne Lewis’ history opens with a full analysis of all the components of traditional France, including political and religious structures, the seigneurial system, the bourgeoisie and the poor. Part two examines the meaning and challenge of the Enlightenment, with particular reference to women and the mass of the poor. Part three concentrates upon the relationship between the shift to laissez-faire economics, popular revolts and government repression, providing the essential background to the Revolutionary decade of the 1790s. The Revolution witnessed the rise of a politicised ‘Popular Movement’ that achieved, briefly, a measure of popular democracy. War and counter-revolution blocked the move towards real democracy, strengthened the authority of the centralised state, and enhanced the credibility of bourgeois political and economic power. One of the main contentions of this work is that the failure of both monarchical and Revolutionary regimes to deal with the massive social problem of poverty played a far larger part in explaining the collapse of the Bourbons in 1789, and the failure of democracy during the 1790s, than most historians have allowed. Likewise, the importance of religion in directing the momentous events of this period has also been under-estimated.
A plain-English guide to the world's most famous-and grueling-bicycle race Featuring eight-pages of full-color photos from recent Tour de France races, this easy-to-follow, entertaining guide demystifies the history, strategy, rules, techniques, equipment, and competitors in what is arguably the most grueling and intriguing multiday, multistage sporting event in the world. Cowritten by the most popular English-speaking cycling commentator on the planet, this book is great reading for both experienced and the new bicycle racing fans alike.
French Astronaut Andre Dubois was nearly blasted out of the sky in a Russian plot to destroy the International Space Station. Recovered from his injuries, he was restless after months of recuperation in Israel. Upon his return to France, a person or persons unknown kidnap him. Could his kidnapping have a connection to the mysterious suicide of his friend and mentor, Monsignor Gauthier? Why did the priest kill himself on French television? What is the interest of the Vatican in the astronaut? Has Israel entered into a secret pact with Russia? Or have Russia and the Catholic Church combined to ruin Israel? What is the connection between the priest, the astronaut, and the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak in 1981? How are Iran and Pakistan involved in the plot against Israel? How are e-mails from the International Space Station used for and against the Jewish state? When Israeli secret agent Shimon Levi becomes involved, he first must escort Michelle, the beautiful ex-fiancee of the astronaut, to Paris to aid in finding the missing man. The vivacious young archeologist and the older agent notice one another in the way that men and women have noticed one another from the beginning of time. No matter how unlikely, no matter what others may think, the pair can feel the gravitational pull of each for the other. But what, if anything, to do about it? Romance and deep international intrigue pull the reader from Moscow to Montreal, from Israel to Paris, outer space, and even to Mexico. The plot against Israel spans the globe and the reader will travel every mile. Blackmail, spies, gangsters, murder, kidnapping, and international skullduggery keep the pages turning. “French Fried” has a vivid and realistic cast of characters, a plot in which Israel, Russia, and the Vatican all have an interest and astronauts get kidnapped on two continents. The intricate, twisty plot will keep you guessing. There is enough mystery, excitement, and romance to satisfy any thriller reader.
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