Publishers Weekly #1 Best Seller for 1914.

Set in the world of authors, artists, and their patrons this novel explores the conflict between art for art sake and art for profit and fame. It was quite controversial in it's day; some accusing Wright of preaching and others supporting his observations.

Publishers Weekly #1 Best Seller for 1913.

It is important to note that the author is not the famed English politician and author, but an unrelated American writer.

"masterly grip of detail and rare psychological insight" - Henry Davies from letters to the New York Times 1913.

Publishers Weekly #1 Best Seller for 1915.

Tarkington was a widely read and prolific multiple Pulitzer Prize winning novelist and dramatist. The story uses a tale of two families following different trajectories but linked by romance to provide a glimpse of the changes induced by industrialization and urbanization.

Publishers Weekly #1 Best Seller for 1918.

An epic novel set against the construction of the Union-Pacific Railroad between 1864 and 1869 and the introduction of the telegraph. Full of wonderfully drawn characters and a central romantic thread.

Young, beautiful, proud and independent, Bathsheba Everdene moves to rural England to live with her aunt and uncle. A young and loyal shepherd, an older gentleman farmer and a dashing Sergeant all vie for her affections. But changes in fortune and circumstances as much as her own pride and independence, thwart her efforts to find true love and happiness. Thomas Hardy is well known for both his sensational story telling and evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapes for good reason.

The lives of the poor and downtrodden during early 19th century France was, as this title suggests, miserable. This story by Victor Hugo centres on ex-convict Jean Valjean who is determined to escape his past and redeem himself. But a minor misdemeanour and a persistent policeman, Javert, puts Jean Valjean's efforts under constant threat. His freedom means that he is able to uphold his vow to look after, Cosette, the infant daughter of a prostitute. But what price freedom? Les Miserables brings us a story with history, love, moral arguments and much, much more. Powerful social commentary, moving and very touching.

Sienkiewicz received the 1905 Nobel Price in Literature for his "outstanding merits as an epic writer".

The novel follows the developing love between a Christian woman and a Roman Patrician in the time of Nero. The romantic story arc is set against the conflict of the moral systems of the long established Roman Empire and the developing Christianity. Sienkiewicz uses this setting to explore morality and power, and his observations remain relevant today.

The novel is based on extensive historical research and gives a good view of life in those times.