基本介绍
内容简介
《公平与不公平》：
霍普山发生了一桩谋杀案，很多人把这件事当作达到自己目的的一个机会——即使要以一个无辜男人的生命为代价。约翰·诺斯本来以为自己把家产挥霍殆尽已经是到了人生的最低谷，没想到竟然还被指控了一项莫须有的谋杀罪名。伊芙琳本来说一句话就可以证明约翰的清白，但是那样就会暴露她的婚外情。马歇尔以前是约翰的朋友，但是当他知道约翰和伊芙琳的秘密后，就把这件事当成了报复的机会。法官郎汉姆知道约翰是无辜的，但是这件谋杀案涉及到朗汉姆的家庭，于是他背弃了自己曾经立誓要坚守的法律。公平与不公平，谁较量过谁，又会有怎样的结局？
作者简介
作者：（美国）沃恩·凯斯特（Vaughan Kester）
文摘
"Well, it's either that, or else I can knock him over the head. Perhapsyou had rather do that, it's more in your line." "Boss, you give me the money and let me go now, and I won't evercome back！" cried Montgomery eagerly. "I been lookin' for the chanceto get clear of this bum town！ I'll stay away, don't you lose no sleepabout that; I ain't got nothin' to ever bring me back." And on the moment Mr. Montgomery banished from his mind andheart all idea of the pure joys of domestic life. It was as if his oldwoman had never been. He was sure travel was what he required, and agreat deal of it, and all in one direction- away from Mount Hope. No unnecessary time was wasted on Montgomery's appearance. Awet towel in the not too' gentle hands of Mr. Gilmore removed the bloodstains from his face, and then he was led forth into the night, - the nightwhich so completely swallowed up all trace of him that his old womanand her brood sought his accustomed haunts in vain. Nor was Mr.Moxlow any more successful in his efforts to discover the handy-man'swhereabouts. As for Mount Hope she saw in the mysteriousdisappearance of the star witness only the devious activities of JohnNorth's friends.
序言
从1895年美国《书商》杂志开启“按销量排序的图书目录”，美国的“畅销书”至今已有百年发展史，其间荣登年度榜的图书达上千册。阅读这些畅销书，可以学习各时代美国最畅销图书中的语言，了解当时的阅读旨趣，领略当时的社会习俗和风土人情，何乐而不为？
不过，阅读畅销书也需精选。畅销书只是显现读者的阅读旨趣，并不区分它的高下，读者真实的阅读旨趣是雅俗共存的；登上畅销书排行榜的并不总经得起时间的冲刷，许多名噪一时的畅销书早已销声匿迹，尘封在历史的沟壑中。
然而畅销书中自然也有大量经典得以长久流传。我们今天重读美国百年畅销图书，有着以往不曾有的优势。一是，时间的冲刷保证了今日重读之畅销书的经典。能留存至今的多是能够让人细细品读出些许感悟的，而不仅是出于猎奇心理、名人效应。二是，时空的距离感让我们能更好地反思畅销书中所折射出的社会现象。多了一分思考的冷峻，少了一分身处当局的迷惑，我们能以一个旁观者的角色更加清醒地审视。
