Set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age, the narrative follows Frank Cowperwood, a businessman who rises to wealth after exploiting the Panic of 1873. After relocating to Chicago with his young lover, he aggressively takes control of the city's transit system, showcasing his ambition and greed. However, as his past catches up with him, he faces social ostracism and personal turmoil, leading to a profound questioning of his values and ambitions. This tale of romance, betrayal, and societal critique remains a significant reflection on American life.
Theodore Dreiser Books
Theodore Dreiser was an American novelist and journalist who pioneered the naturalist school. He is known for portraying characters whose value lies not in their moral code, but in their persistence against all obstacles. His literary situations more closely resemble studies of nature than tales of choice and agency, exploring human existence in its raw state.







Young Caroline Meeber leaves home for the first time and experiences work, love, and the pleasures and responsibilities of independence in late-nineteenth-century Chicago and New York.
A Book about Myself
- 512 pages
- 18 hours of reading
In 1890, the author reflects on his burgeoning desire to write, inspired by Eugene Field's humorous and romantic observations of life in Chicago. Through Field's column, he discovers a profound connection to local experiences and the vivid portrayal of everyday scenes, which ignites his ambition to capture similar moments in his own writing. This exploration of personal aspirations and the influence of local culture sets the stage for a deeper understanding of his identity and literary goals.
The Genius
- 480 pages
- 17 hours of reading
Set against the backdrop of the turn-of-the-century art scene, this autobiographical novel delves into the tensions between artistic integrity and commercial interests, as well as the struggles between personal relationships and societal expectations regarding morality. Its provocative content led to its prohibition by the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, delaying publication until 1923. This controversy solidified the author's reputation as a forward-thinking writer, challenging conventions of his era.
This extraordinary collection of short stories reminds us how great a talent Dreiser was. A giant among American writers, he fought throughout his career to capture life in realistic terms. In his stories as well as his celebrated novels, he sought to uncover the problems of common Americans at the turn of the century―their struggles with society and their dreams of power and wealth against a backdrop of threatening poverty."Dreiser has no peer in the American short story.…As fine as his novels are, they do not attain the artistic wholeness of his short tales. Among the moderns, there is almost no one capable of writing tales like these. The best of today is pallid and non-human when compared with Dreiser's compassionate searchings."―from the Introduction by Howard Fast.
An American Tragedy (Volume I)
- 130 pages
- 5 hours of reading
The book represents a dedicated effort to preserve and repair classic literature, ensuring that original texts remain accessible and appreciated. It highlights the importance of maintaining literary heritage while providing readers with a chance to engage with timeless works in their authentic form.
A Traveler at Forty
- 422 pages
- 15 hours of reading
The book is a significant classical work that explores themes of travel and personal reflection. It has been carefully reformatted and retyped to ensure clarity and readability, making it accessible for contemporary readers. The effort to preserve this literary piece highlights its enduring importance throughout history, aiming to keep its insights alive for future generations.
Theodore Dreiser - Twelve Men: "Let no one underestimate the need of pity"
- 194 pages
- 7 hours of reading
The life of Theodore Dreiser, born in 1871, reflects the journey of a prominent American novelist and journalist. Raised in a large Catholic family, he transitioned from journalism to literature, with his controversial debut novel, Sister Carrie, initially underappreciated but later hailed as a classic. His exploration of ambition and societal issues culminated in his successful work, An American Tragedy. A committed socialist and later a member of the Communist Party, Dreiser's political activism shaped his writings and led him to confront censorship. He passed away in 1945.
OPOWIEŚĆ PRAWDZIWA JAK ŻYCIE „Dziwnie się plecie w tym moim życiu” - tak uważa Jennie, bohaterka tej historii. Jako młoda dziewczyna pomaga matce sprzątać w hotelu i poznaje tam statecznego senatora Brandera. Ten pod wpływem jej uroku zaczyna pomagać biednej rodzinie Gerhardtów. A i Jennie czuje się zobowiązana wobec niego... I gdy odkrywa, że jest w ciąży, wszystko może skończyłoby się jak w bajce, bo senator gotów był poślubić urodziwą pannę, ale wtedy przewrotny los po raz pierwszy burzy plany i nadzieje Jennie... Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) to jeden z najwybitniejszych przedstawicieli amerykańskiego realizmu początku XX wieku w literaturze. Jego debiutancka „Siostra Carrie” (1900) była dla tego gatunku utworem przełomowym. Wydana w roku 1911 powieść „Losy Jennie Gerhardt” potwierdziła wielki talent literacki byłego reportera. A późniejszą „Tragedię amerykańską” (1925) krytycy zgodnie uznali za najpełniej zrealizowane dzieło.
Dreiser's Russian Diary
- 312 pages
- 11 hours of reading
The diary captures Theodore Dreiser's travels across the Soviet Union in 1927-28, beginning with his invitation to Moscow for the tenth anniversary of the October Revolution. Granted permission for an extended journey, Dreiser provides a firsthand account of life in the USSR during the 1920s. As a significant cultural figure, his observations offer valuable insights into this historical period, making the diary a rare primary source from a transformative era in modern history.
