基本介紹
内容簡介
《公平與不公平》：
霍普山發生了一樁謀殺案，很多人把這件事當作達到自己目的的一個機會——即使要以一個無辜男人的生命為代價。約翰·諾斯本來以為自己把家産揮霍殆盡已經是到了人生的最低谷，沒想到竟然還被指控了一項莫須有的謀殺罪名。伊芙琳本來說一句話就可以證明約翰的清白，但是那樣就會暴露她的婚外情。馬歇爾以前是約翰的朋友，但是當他知道約翰和伊芙琳的秘密後，就把這件事當成了報複的機會。法官郎漢姆知道約翰是無辜的，但是這件謀殺案涉及到朗漢姆的家庭，于是他背棄了自己曾經立誓要堅守的法律。公平與不公平，誰較量過誰，又會有怎樣的結局？
作者簡介
作者：（美國）沃恩·凱斯特（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
從1895年美國《書商》雜志開啟“按銷量排序的圖書目錄”，美國的“暢銷書”至今已有百年發展史，其間榮登年度榜的圖書達上千冊。閱讀這些暢銷書，可以學習各時代美國最暢銷圖書中的語言，了解當時的閱讀旨趣，領略當時的社會習俗和風土人情，何樂而不為？
不過，閱讀暢銷書也需精選。暢銷書隻是顯現讀者的閱讀旨趣，并不區分它的高下，讀者真實的閱讀旨趣是雅俗共存的；登上暢銷書排行榜的并不總經得起時間的沖刷，許多名噪一時的暢銷書早已銷聲匿迹，塵封在曆史的溝壑中。
然而暢銷書中自然也有大量經典得以長久流傳。我們今天重讀美國百年暢銷圖書，有着以往不曾有的優勢。一是，時間的沖刷保證了今日重讀之暢銷書的經典。能留存至今的多是能夠讓人細細品讀出些許感悟的，而不僅是出于獵奇心理、名人效應。二是，時空的距離感讓我們能更好地反思暢銷書中所折射出的社會現象。多了一分思考的冷峻，少了一分身處當局的迷惑，我們能以一個旁觀者的角色更加清醒地審視。
