By Right of Conquest

A Novel

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Pages: 160

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About this book

The men feeding an ocean liner's furnaces pay a heavy price for the comfort of its wealthy passengers. Arthur Hornblow opens this novel on New York's waterfront, where stoker Jack Armitage sits drinking with fellow crewmen before their ship sails. His strength and temper have earned him a formidable reputation, while his speech hints at better circumstances in his past.

Shipwreck survival and differences of social class shape the story. On an island, Armitage and Grace share a meal of crabs and plantains, but their conversation remains uneasy. He gathers leaves for a bed in a cave, and she worries about the coming night despite his practical care. These small arrangements give the adventure its human stakes: shelter, exhaustion and the difficulty of trusting another person. Readers interested in maritime labor and relationships across class boundaries will find both concerns brought into close contact.

About the author

Arthur Hornblow

Arthur Hornblow worked as an American editor and novelist closely connected with early twentieth-century theatre. Distinct from his son, Hollywood producer Arthur Hornblow Jr., he edited theatrical publications and adapted popular stage material for prose audiences. The Argyle Case reworked a detective play by Harriet Ford and Harvey J.