Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

1Valiant Runaways

By Gertrude Atherton

Savage bears, a river rescue, capture by Indians, escape on wild mustangs and a revolutionary battle await the protagonists of this suspenseful adventure novel, set in California. (Summary by Lynne Thompson)

2Narrative of the Suffering and Defeat of the North-Western Army, Under General Winchester

By William Atherton

This memoir dating from 1812ff, but only published in 1840s is a strikingly profound contrast with our modern materialism and comfort. It is personal and at the same time very formal and reserved. As a foot soldier traipsing about the wild countryside of the Midwest, hardly after the Louisiana Purchase, against British/Canadian/Native mercenaries, the story is one of looking through the wrong end of a telescope, as one not understanding the forces/motivations at play with the writer's life and his terrible hardships; as in a nightmare where a country sends its young sons to battle hardened, prepared, ruthless adults and then abandons them to their own devices when success does not immediately ensue and the true costs of the struggle and what they should have done, gradually begins to dawn on them, too late of course. In the absence of any kind of numbers and field organization it is difficult to understand all that might be going on. (Summary by JCarson)

3Senator North

By Gertrude Atherton

"When, Mr. President, a man, however eminent in other pursuits and whatever claims he may have to public confidence, becomes a member of this body, he has much to learn and much to endure. Little does he know of what he will have to encounter. He may be well read in public affairs, but he is unaware of the difficulties which must attend and embarrass every effort to render what he may know available and useful. He may be upright in purpose and strong in the belief of his own integrity, but he cannot even dream of the ordeal to which he cannot fail to be exposed; of how much courage he must possess to resist the temptations which must daily beset him; of that sensitive shrinking from undeserved censure which he must learn to control; of the ever recurring contest between a natural desire for public approbation and a sense of public duty; of the load of injustice he must be content to bear even from those who should be his friends; the imputations on his motives; the sneers and sarcasms of ignorance and malice; all the manifold injuries which partisan or private malignity, disappointed of its object, may shower upon his unprotected head. All this, if he would retain his integrity, he must learn to ear unmoved and walk steadily onward in the path of public duty, sustained only by the reflection that time may do him justice; or if not, that his individual hopes and aspirations and even his name among men should be of little account to him when weighed in the balance of a people of whose destiny he is a constituted guardian and defender." —WILLIAM PITT FESSENDEN <br /><br />Miss Betty Madison embarks on an adventure in Washington and has much to learn before she can enjoy the triumph of success. (Summary from Foreword)

4Mrs. Balfame

By Gertrude Atherton

Enid Belfame: 42 years old, 22 of them as a married woman; eminently respectable; founder of The Friday Club; small town dignitary; a paragon of virtue. But does she have what it takes to commit murder? And will the young and handsome Dwight Rush benefit if she does? - Summary by Lynne Thompson

5Sleeping Fires

By Gertrude Atherton

The story of a love so strong that neither the rigid rules of Society in California in the 1800s nor the very bowels of hell could keep a young woman from the love she had found. A story rich in fashion ad feminism showing how determination and love could overcome all obstacles. (Summary by Sharon Kilmer)

6Rezanov

By Gertrude Atherton

This novel by the prolific Californian author Gertrude Horn Atherton is based on the real life story of Nikolai Rezanov, a man who, in 1806, pushed for the Russian colonization of Alaska and California. "Not twenty pages have you turned before you know this Rezanov, privy councilor, grand chamberlain, plenipotentiary of the Russo-American company, imperial inspector of the extreme eastern and northwestern dominions of his imperial majesty Alexander the First, emperor of Russia—all this and more, a man." Twenty-one years later, Atherton penned the biography "Rezánov and Doña Concha" on the centennial of a famed romance between the statesman and a Spanish girl, who became a nun after his death. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

7Daughter Of The Vine

By Gertrude Atherton

We are introduced to Englishman Dudley Thorpe on the evening of his arrival in California. At a ball, he is introduced to several belles, including the lovely Nina Randolph. Is this the start of something special? Dudley thinks so, but what about Nina? Why won't she open herself up to love? She is obviously attracted to Dudley. What is the dark secret she is hiding? Will it make a difference to Dudley's feelings? Who will be there for her in her time of need? Dudley or her odious cousin, Richard Clough? And what will San Francisco society make of it all? - Summary by Lynne Thompson

8Avalanche

By Gertrude Atherton

Price Ruyler has been sent to San Francisco from New York to salvage the family business after the 1906 earthquake. His success makes him one of the city's most eligible bachelors but he resists the machinations of the local girls (and their mothers). Then he meets the beautiful and captivating Helene. He proposes within a week. Into the fourth year of their marriage, he realizes something has changed. He still loves his wife and he believes she loves him but he begins to wonder about her mysterious past and questions whether family secrets were buried in the rubble left by the earthquake. (Summary by Lynnet)

9Travelling Thirds

By Gertrude Atherton

The semi-invalid Mrs. Moulton and her long-suffering husband are touring Europe with their two adult daughters, Jane and Lydia. They have firm ideas of what is proper and decorous. Mr. Moulton's young relative, Catalina, does not fit this ideal. Her dress is too short. She mixes with the natives. She wants to visit Spain... not, in itself, a problem; except she proposes to travel in a third class compartment on the train! Funds will not stretch to any other class, and if the Moultons refuse to accompany her, she proposes to walk! What will become of them all? Surely only doom, disaster and the loss of reputation lie ahead. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

10Ancestors: A Novel

By Gertrude Atherton

Flora, the daughter of a clergyman, grew up the playmate of the castle children but learned early on that a certain prettiness and good breeding did not put her in the same class as her friends. With the sudden death of her father and no chance of a rich husband, poverty was looming and the young woman may be forced to earn her living. As a companion to Lady Victoria Gwynne, she meets an American cousin come to trace her ancestry. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

11Black Oxen

By Gertrude Atherton

Lee Clavering, a young playwright falls in love with an Austrian countess, not noticing the adoring glances from the outgoing flapper, Janet. Unknown to the young lover, the object of his devotion is defying age with artifice in this controversial pseudo-science fiction romance. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

12Crystal Cup

By Gertrude Atherton

The story begins with ... <br> “Old age will be served,” said Mrs. Carteret grimly. “But I suppose you think I am a long time dying.” <br> This author has written many novels, sometimes controversial as she was strong willed and independent: Gothic and romance novels being the genre of those writings. She is also known well for frequent mentions of California as that was her home state. This fictional book is PD, 50 chapters. - (Summary by April Reynolds)

13Rulers of Kings: A Novel

By Gertrude Atherton

When a child is born, its temperament and character are unknown. The effects of nature versus nurture, of heredity and of circumstance are a mystery. Rarely, the stars align to make an exceptional child, a man who will move mountains. Such was the case with the last Rudolf von Hapsburg, a man born before his time, as shown in this fictionalized historical account. - Summary by Lynne T.

14What Dreams May Come

By Gertrude Atherton

For Harold Dartmouth and Weir Penrhyn, it's love at first sight; love, and an uncanny feeling of recognition which neither understand. Nor do they question their happiness, not until their impossibly similar dreams reveal the scandalous source of their compulsion toward each other. (Summary by Nicole J. LeBoeuf)

15Aristocrats

By Gertrude Atherton

Being the impressions of the Lady Helen Pole during her sojourn in The Great North Woods as spontaneously recorded in her letters to her friend in North Britain the Countess of Edge and Ross. - Summary by Gertrude Atherton