Category: Apex Publications

The Jungle [Large Print]

The Jungle
Unabridged Large Print Edition
by Upton Sinclair

In 1905, the socialist weekly journal “Appeal to Reason” sent muckraker author Upton Sinclair undercover to investigate conditions in the Chicago stockyards. The result of his seven-week investigation was “The Jungle”, first published in serial form by Appeal to Reason in 1905 and then as a book in 1906.

The story follows the fortunes of Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant who arrives in Chicago’s stockyards seeking the American Dream, his teenaged wife, and their extended family. He soon discovers a ruthless system that degrades and impoverishes him and ultimately destroys his family. Sinclair portrays their mistreatment by Rudkus’ employers and the wealthier elements of society. The meatpacking industry, where he finds employment, subjects workers to harsh conditions, lack of social support, and hopelessness. Sinclair’s depiction contrasts the working-class poverty with the deeply rooted corruption of those in power. Continue reading “The Jungle [Large Print]”

The Pathfinder

The Pathfinder
by James Fenimore Cooper
Foreword by Nathaniel Waring Barnes

“The Pathfinder, or The Inland Sea” was published in 1840, the fourth published of Cooper’s “Leatherstocking Tales” saga. Chronologically, it is set after “The Last of the Mohicans” and before “The Pioneers” and thus third in the series.

Sent on a secret mission to a British fortress hidden among the Thousand Islands of Canadian Lake Ontario, Cooper’s indomitable frontier hero, Natty Bumppo, sometimes called Hawkeye or Deerslayer, is known in this tale as the Pathfinder, guiding his companions on the perilous journey to Lake Ontario, the “inland sea” of the novel’s original subtitle. Continue reading “The Pathfinder”

The Prairie

The Prairie
by James Fenimore Cooper
Foreword by Nathaniel Waring Barnes

The Prairie, published in 1827, was the third of James Fenimore Cooper’s five novels comprising the “Leatherstocking Tales” saga, although the time period in which the story is set makes it the fifth and last chronologically.

Set in 1804, the tale follows the adventures of Natty Bumppo, over 80 years of age and ranging the plains, having departed his home along the now-vanished New York frontier in search of open country. Called “the trapper” or “the old man” and never referred to by name, numerous references to the previous two novels, as well as the stories and characters in the two which would not be written until years later, leave no doubt that the old trapper is the “Leatherstocking.” Continue reading “The Prairie”

The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757

The Last of the Mohicans
A Narrative of 1757
by James Fenimore Cooper
Foreword by Nathaniel Waring Barnes

Widely regarded as the masterpiece of a writing career spanning thirty years, over thirty novels and an extensive body of lesser works, “The Last of the Mohicans” was James Fenimore Cooper’s sixth novel and the second in the Leatherstocking Tales saga.

Set in 1757 during the Seven Years’ War (The French and Indian War in America) between Britain and France, the tale recounts the exploits of Natty Bumppo, called Hawkeye in this story, and his companions Chingachgook and Uncas against the backdrop of a French siege of British-held Fort William Henry. Crossing paths with a relief column also escorting the daughters of the British garrison commander, the three companions become embroiled in a series of frontier adventures involving forest battles, captures, rescues, flights and pursuits through the wilderness. Continue reading “The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757”

Trailin’! [Large Print]

Trailin’!
Unabridged Large Print Edition
by Max Brand

A classic western by Max Brand, a master of the western novel.

From an unlikely chance encounter at an improbable location, the unexpected opening scenes of this early Max Brand western classic quickly shift to the vast spaces of the old west and the non-stop western action Max Brand fans have expected and enjoyed for generations. Continue reading “Trailin’! [Large Print]”

The Childerbridge Mystery [Large Print]

The Childerbridge Mystery
Unabridged Large Print Edition
by Guy Newell Boothby

The son of a hardworking country doctor, William Standerton found himself alone in Australia at the age of sixteen. In fifty years’ time, he was a wealthy man, telling himself that he owed his good fortune to his own hard work and shrewd business capabilities. A widower with a grown son and daughter, he turned his Australian holdings over to carefully selected managers, took his children with him, and returned to England to live the life of a country gentleman.

Deciding that Childerbridge Manor will suit his needs, he settles into the estate despite local lore which holds it to be haunted. But once the family takes up residence, the trouble starts. The ghost – or ghosts – seem to be both real and unfriendly, and a menacing secret has followed him from Australia, along with the villanous man who holds the key to that secret.

William Standerton will meet his fate in Childerbridge Manor, and an unexpected twist or two will lie along the path to solving the mystery of his death and uncovering the dark secret of his life. Continue reading “The Childerbridge Mystery [Large Print]”

The People That Time Forgot [Large Print]

The People That Time Forgot
The Caspak Trilogy, Volume 2 – Large Print
by Edgar Rice Burroughs

“The People That Time Forgot” are the inhabitants of “Caspak,” the native name for the island of Caprona, located somewhere in or near the Antarctic. Reported by the Italian explorer Caproni in 1721, the island’s location was subsequently “lost”. Both the island and the explorer are of course entirely fictional, and the island provides the setting for what has over the years become known as Burroughs’ science fiction “Caspak Trilogy.” Continue reading “The People That Time Forgot [Large Print]”

The Land That Time Forgot [Large Print]

The Land That Time Forgot
The Caspak Trilogy, Volume 1 – Large Print
by Edgar Rice Burroughs

“The Land That Time Forgot” is known as “Caspak,” the native name for the island of Caprona, located somewhere in or near the Antarctic. Reported by the Italian explorer Caproni in 1721, the island’s location was subsequently “lost”. Both the island and the explorer are of course entirely fictional, and the island provides the setting for what has over the years become known as Edgar Rice Burroughs’ science fiction/fantasy “Caspak Trilogy.” Continue reading “The Land That Time Forgot [Large Print]”

The Pioneers

The Pioneers
by James Fenimore Cooper
Foreword by Nathaniel Waring Barnes

The Pioneers, published in 1823, was the first of James Fenimore Cooper’s five novels comprising the “Leatherstocking Tales” saga, although the time period in which the story is set makes it the fourth chronologically. The original edition was published as “The Pioneers, Or, The Sources of the Susquehanna, A Descriptive Tale.”

Set in 1793, the tale opens with a dispute between an elderly Natty Bumppo, called Leatherstocking in this story, and Judge Marmaduke Temple of Templeton over who killed a buck. Perhaps ahead of his time, Cooper explores the complex themes of land use and stewardship along the rapidly receding frontier in the vicinity of Lake Otsego, New York, and the relationship between the residents of the growing town and the earlier inhabitants of the frontier. Continue reading “The Pioneers”

The Deerslayer

The Deerslayer
by James Fenimore Cooper
Foreword by Nathaniel Waring Barnes

The Deerslayer was published in 1841, the last published of Cooper’s “Leatherstocking Tales” saga. Chronologically, it is set before the other tales and thus first in the series. In recent years it has been viewed as the “prequel” to the Leatherstocking Tales.

“The Deerslayer” is of course Cooper’s indomitable frontier hero, Natty Bumppo, sometimes called “Hawkeye”, “Pathfinder”, “Leatherstocking” or “the Scout”, seen here as a young frontiersman in the vicinity of New York’s Lake Otsego, barely staying ahead of the advance of the British colonial settlements. Continue reading “The Deerslayer”