Subject
Alcohol trafficking -- Fiction Books
Best books
Thomson Burtis
Moonlight and moonshine
"Moonlight and Moonshine" by Thomson Burtis is a light-hearted adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Lieutenant George Arlington Hemingwood, a carefree pilot in the Air Service, as he embarks on a mission to photograph the rugged landscapes of Kentucky's backwoods. The narrative combines themes of romance, humor, and an encounter with the local culture, particularly the moonshining activities of the region. As Hemingwood carries out his photographic assignment, he encounters charming locals, notably Gail Morgan, a schoolteacher who becomes a significant figure in his life. The novel takes a thrilling turn when Hemingwood is shot at by locals suspicious of his presence, leading to a confrontation that showcases his bravery and quick thinking. The romance between Hemingwood and Gail blossoms against the backdrop of adventure, humor, and the mountainous scenery, wrapping up with a light-hearted proposal that hints at future possibilities. Overall, the book presents a blend of action and romantic comedy, making it an engaging read for those who enjoy spirited tales set in intriguing locales.
Charles Egbert Craddock
The windfall : $b a novel
"The Windfall" by Charles Egbert Craddock is a novel written in the early 20th century. This work explores themes of aspiration and the clash between urban and rural life through the eyes of the central character, Hilary Lloyd, a showman who embarks on a journey to run a street fair in the remote town of Colbury located amidst the grandeur of the Great Smoky Mountains. As he struggles to generate interest in his fair, the narrative hints at the complex dynamics between the characters, particularly between Lloyd and the townsfolk, who view his enterprise with skepticism. At the start of the story, Hilary Lloyd arrives in Colbury, facing the daunting challenge of promoting his street fair in an isolated, indifferent town. He is accompanied by his partner Haxon, who is disheartened by the lack of enthusiasm from the local populace and the overwhelming beauty of the surrounding mountains, which contrasts starkly with their dire situation. As the fair preparations unfold amidst physical labor and local commentary, Lloyd's hope battles his sense of impending failure. During a moment of solitude, he encounters Clotilda Pinnott, a local girl, and is captivated by her grace, further complicating his feelings as he grapples with the impending storm—both literally and metaphorically—as he promotes the attractions of his fair while assessing his uncertain place within this rural community.
Charles Egbert Craddock
His vanished star
"His Vanished Star" by Charles Egbert Craddock is a novel written in the late 19th century. Set in the American South, the story revolves around the conflict between Kenneth Kenniston, a city-bred architect with ambitious development plans, and the rural Tems family who reside on the land he seeks to transform. The book likely explores themes of progress versus tradition, the clash of cultures, and the complexities of rural mountain life through the interactions of Kenniston, the Tems family, and the people of the surrounding community. The opening of the novel introduces Kenneth Kenniston as he surveys his large but sparsely valued mountainside property, envisioning a grand hotel that will attract summer visitors yet encountering practical and interpersonal obstacles. His chief concern is the presence of the Tems family, especially the patriarch "Cap'n Lucy" Tems, whose cabin lies in the middle of Kenniston’s planned development and who stubbornly refuses to move despite offers. Scenes inside the Tems household reveal a family marked by strong personalities and deep connection to the land. As night falls, other local characters, including the enigmatic Lorenzo Taft and a covert group of moonshiners, are introduced, demonstrating the region's insular, self-sufficient society and the potential for simmering conflict over land and change. Tensions arise between commercial progress, the defense of home and autonomy, and the hidden worlds that operate beneath the surface of rural mountain life.
W. R. Bethel
Heritage of the sea
"Heritage of the sea by W. R. Bethel" is a pulp short sea-adventure story written in the late 1920s. Set in the Prohibition era, it follows a rum-running captain on Long Island Sound whose seamanship and sense of honor are tested in a deadly fog after a collision at sea. On a blacked-out run through thick fog, a hard-nosed skipper guides his rum boat while his jittery backer, Joe Parento, urges retreat. When a tramp steamer rams a dark-laying Coast Guard cutter and flees, the captain snaps on lights, lowers boats, and rescues the survivors, even as Parento pulls a gun and wounds him in a panic to protect the cargo. The captain knocks Parento out, disarms him, and, while guarding his shipment, treats the rescued sailors decently with dry clothes and a drink. Weak from his wound, he lets the Coast Guard commander take the bridge to steer the rum-runner back toward Rum Row so the guardsmen can signal for pickup—leaving the tale on the note that, in fog that blinds the eye, honor still charts the course.
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