Most Popular Books by Sinclair Lewis

This satirical novel by the Nobel Prize–winning author of It Can’t Happen Here examines medicine in the modern world through the eyes of an idealistic man. The assistant of a small-town midwestern doctor, young Martin Arrowsmith is fascinated with the contents of Gray’s Anatomy. Eager to pursue an adventurous career in medicine and science, he eventually sets off for medical school, where he hopes to dedicate himself to research. But as Martin progresses through life, he encounters qualities in humans more troublesome than any of the specimens he examines under a microscope. Happiness almost eludes him until his mentor offers him a post at a prestigious institute—which soon sends Martin to a plague ravaged Caribbean island. There he must show what he is truly made of . . . A perennial favorite of medical students to this day, Arrowsmith won author Sinclair Lewis the Pulitzer Prize in 1926, which he declined. “Beyond doubt the best of Mr. Lewis’s novels . . . Absorbing and illuminating.” —The Spectator

The classic novel about the downsides of small-town life by the Nobel Prize–winning author of Babbitt and It Can’t Happen Here. Carol is a relatively worldly and educated woman, and when she marries a doctor and follows him to his hometown of Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, she hopes to put the things she has learned into practice and contribute to the improvement of her new community. But the locals are far from welcoming, in this satirical masterpiece by one of the twentieth century’s most accomplished novelists, famed for chronicling the foibles of American culture.

The first of Sinclair Lewis’s great successes, Main Street shattered the sentimental American myth of happy small-town life with its satire of narrow-minded provincialism. Reflecting his own unhappy childhood in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, Lewis’s sixth novel attacked the conformity and dullness he saw in midwestern village life. Young college graduate Carol Milford moves from the city to tiny Gopher Prairie after marrying the local doctor, and tries to bring culture to the small town. But her efforts to reform the prairie village are met by a wall of gossip, greed, conventionality, pitifully unambitious cultural endeavors, and—worst of all—the pettiness and bigotry of small-town minds. Lewis’s portrayal of a marriage torn by disillusionment and a woman forced into compromises is at once devastating social satire and persuasive realism. His subtle characterizations and intimate details of small-town America make Main Street a complex and compelling work and established Lewis as an important figure in twentieth-century American literature.

Babbitt is a scathing critique of early 20th-century American society, written by Sinclair Lewis. The novel portrays the life of George F. Babbitt, a middle-class real estate agent in the fictional city of Zenith. Through this character, Lewis delivers a satire on conformity, materialism, and the moral emptiness of American culture during that era. Babbitt is a man trapped in a predictable and superficial routine, forced to confront his own dissatisfaction and the social pressures that surround him. The work exposes the hypocrisy of the American Dream, showing how social expectations crush individuality and promote a life focused on material success, leaving no room for authenticity or personal growth. Since its publication, Babbitt has been praised for its sharp social observation and its critiques of consumerism and cultural uniformity. The novel not only reflects the issues of its time but also remains relevant in today''s discussions on identity, conformity, and the struggles of individuals against societal norms.

This 1919 road trip novel follows a New York socialite on a cross-country drive. But the greatest distance to surmount is the class divide between her and her suitor, a small-town mechanic.

The masterpiece of Nobel Prize winner Sinclair Lewis A Penguin Classic George F. Babbitt, a conniving, prosperous real estate man from Zenith, Ohio, revels in his popularity, his success, and, especially, in the material rewards they bring. He bullies his wife, flirts with other women, and patronizes the less successful. But when his best friend is sent to prison for killing his wife, Babbitt''s middle-class complacency is shattered, and he rebels, seeking a more \"meaningful\" life. His small revolt is quickly defeated, however, by public opinion and his own need for acceptance. Babbitt captures the flavor of America during the economic boom years of the 1920''s, and its protagonist has become the symbol of middle-class mediocrity, his name an enduring part of the American lexicon. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

In the fall of 1920, Sinclair Lewis began a novel set in a fast-growing city with the heart and mind of a small town. For the center of his cutting satire of American business he created the bustling, shallow, and myopic George F. Babbitt, the epitome of middle-class mediocrity. The novel cemented Lewis’s prominence as a social commentator. Babbitt basks in his pedestrian success and the popularity it has brought him. He demands high moral standards from those around him while flirting with women, and he yearns to have rich friends while shunning those less fortunate than he. But Babbitt’s secure complacency is shattered when his best friend is sent to prison, and he struggles to find meaning in his hollow life. He revolts, but finds that his former routine is not so easily thrown over.

Bored of the parties and luxuries that come with her socialite lifestyle, Claire Boltwood longs for something more authentic in her life. Desperate for adventure, Claire and her father decide to travel from New York City to the Pacific Northwest in their automobile, a new privilege enjoyed by the rich. Though he is a clever businessman, Claire’s father knows nothing about cars, so he encourages Claire to drive, challenging the gender stereotypes of the early 20th century. Starting in New York City, Claire and her father hit the open road, feeling exhilarated and free. As they travel northwest, they eat food from cuisine below their usual standards, see new sights, and face everyday problems that people of their privilege usually do not. Among these problems is an unexpected trouble with their car, and so the Boltwood’s are forced to stay in a small town nearby as they leave their automobile in the hands of a mechanic named Milt Daggett. Born and raised in the small, unassuming town, Milt is one of the few people within the town that aspires for more in his life. But, he was caught in a rut before he met Claire. As the two grow closer and inspire drastic changes in the other’s personality, Claire and Milt realize that the unfortunate circumstances that led to their chance encounter might have been the best thing to ever happen in their lives. With surprising sentimentality and authenticity, Sinclair Lewis’ Free Air awakens a yearning in its reader’s soul. Featuring detailed descriptions of the Boltwood’s travels and the people they meet, Free Air creates a visceral reading experience. Set during the early 20th century in various states in America, Lewis depicts themes of class, feminism, and egalitarianism as Free Air provides an intimate look into American culture. This edition of Free Air by Sinclair Lewis features an eye-catching new cover design and is printed in a modern font to cater to contemporary audiences.

“The novel that foreshadowed Donald Trump’s authoritarian appeal.”—Salon It Can’t Happen Here is the only one of Sinclair Lewis’s later novels to match the power of Main Street, Babbitt, and Arrowsmith. A cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy, it is an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America. Written during the Great Depression, when the country was largely oblivious to Hitler’s aggression, it juxtaposes sharp political satire with the chillingly realistic rise of a president who becomes a dictator to save the nation from welfare cheats, sex, crime, and a liberal press. Called “a message to thinking Americans” by the Springfield Republican when it was published in 1935, It Can’t Happen Here is a shockingly prescient novel that remains as fresh and contemporary as today’s news. Includes an Introduction by Michael Meyer and an Afterword by Gary Scharnhorst

In the fall of 1920, Sinclair Lewis began a novel set in a fast-growing city with the heart and mind of a small town. For the center of his cutting satire of American business he created the bustling, shallow, and myopic George F. Babbitt, the epitome of middle-class mediocrity. The novel cemented Lewis’s prominence as a social commentator. Babbitt basks in his pedestrian success and the popularity it has brought him. He demands high moral standards from those around him while flirting with women, and he yearns to have rich friends while shunning those less fortunate than he. But Babbitt’s secure complacency is shattered when his best friend is sent to prison, and he struggles to find meaning in his hollow life. He revolts, but finds that his former routine is not so easily thrown over.

In this sardonic portrait of the up-and-coming middle class during the prosperous 1920s, Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) perfectly captures the sound, the feel, and the attitudes of the generation that created the cult of consumerism. With a sharp eye for detail and keen powers of observation, Lewis tracks successful realtor George Babbitt''s daily struggles to rise to the top of his profession while maintaining his reputation as an upstanding family man.On the surface, Babbitt appears to be the quintessential middle-class embodiment of conservative values and enthusiasm for the well-to-do lifestyle of the small entrepreneur. But beneath the complacent facade, he also experiences a rising, nameless discontent. These feelings eventually lead Babbitt into risky escapades that threaten his family and his standing in the community.

George Babbitt is a forty-six-year-old real estate broker. His job allows him to enjoy many commodities of the middle-class, and offers he and his family a place in an elevated social circle. With three kids, a loving wife, a steady job, and a fair amount of disposable income, George is living the American dream. But despite his privilege, he is dissatisfied with his life, a topic that often arises when he spends time with his closest friend, Paul, who has serious martial issues. One day, they decide to take a vacation together, leaving their family for a relaxing camping trip. Even through ups and downs, the two men feel at ease among the country, appreciating the simultaneous and contrasting simplicity and intricacy that exists in nature. Together, George and Paul decide that even though their lives weren’t perfect, they would do their best to appreciate what they had. After this, both men return home feeling much more optimistic about their lives. However, things take a turn for the worst after one of them does not honor to their pack. When Paul commits a heinous crime that will imprison him for many years, George is distraught. Feeling that his mundane life will be unbearable without Paul’s company, George decides to abandon the rules that held him back before. As George ditches his social circle and begins to cheat on his wife, he falls into the habit of chasing his every whim, leading him to chaos. With themes of American identity, social change, material culture, urbanization, and industrialization, Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis is thought-provoking work of literature grounded in American history and values. First published in 1922, Babbitt is among the first comic depictions of a mid-life crisis, a concept that has remained relevant and relatable to modern audiences. This edition of Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a stylish font, making is both readable and modern.

How is this book unique? Font adjustments & biography included Unabridged (100% Original content) Illustrated About Main Street by Sinclair Lewis Main Street is a satirical novel written by Sinclair Lewis, and published in 1920. Carol Milford is a liberal, free-spirited young woman, reared in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the state capital. She marries Will Kennicott, a doctor, who is a small-town boy at heart. When they marry, Will convinces her to live in his home-town of Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, a town modeled on Sauk Centre, Minnesota, the author''s birthplace. Carol is appalled at the backwardness of Gopher Prairie. But her disdain for the town''s physical ugliness and smug conservatism compels her to reform it. She speaks with its members about progressive changes, joins women''s clubs, distributes literature, and holds parties to liven up Gopher Prairie''s inhabitants. Despite her friendly but ineffective efforts, she is constantly derided by the leading cliques. She finds comfort and companionship outside her social class, but these companions are taken from her one by one.

In the fall of 1920, Sinclair Lewis began a novel set in a fast-growing city with the heart and mind of a small town. For the center of his cutting satire of American business he created the bustling, shallow, and myopic George F. Babbitt, the epitome of middle-class mediocrity. The novel cemented Lewis''s prominence as a social commentator. Babbitt basks in his pedestrian success and the popularity it has brought him. He demands high moral standards from those around him while flirting with women, and he yearns to have rich friends while shunning those less fortunate than he. But Babbitt''s secure complacency is shattered when his best friend is sent to prison, and he struggles to find meaning in his hollow life. He revolts, but finds that his former routine is not so easily thrown over.

An anthology of stories on the corporate world, written earlier this century by Sinclair Lewis. Set in New York, the subjects range from back-stabbing to office romance.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1919 Edition.

A man of science must overcome public ignorance and the petty greed of associates as he seeks knowledge

Martin Arrowsmith, the titular protagonist, grows up in a small Midwestern town where he wants to become a doctor. At medical school he meets an abrasive but brilliant professor, Gottlieb, who becomes his mentor. As Arrowsmith completes his training he begins a career practicing medicine. But, echoing Lewis’s Main Street, small-town life becomes too insular and restricting; his interest in research and not people makes him unpopular, and he decides to work in a research laboratory instead. From there Arrowsmith begins a career that hits all of the ethical quandaries that scientists and those in the medical profession encounter: everything from the ethical problem of research protocol strictness versus saving lives, to doing research for the betterment of mankind versus for turning a profit, to the politics of institutions, to the social problems of wealth and poverty. Arrowsmith struggles with these dilemmas because, like all of us, he isn’t perfect. Despite his interest in helping humanity, he has little interest in people—aside from his serial womanizing—and this makes the path of his career an even harder one to walk. He’s surrounded on all sides by icons of nobility, icons of pride, and icons of rapaciousness, each one distracting him from his calling. Though the book isn’t strictly a satire, few escape Lewis’s biting pen. He skewers everyone indiscriminately: small-town rubes, big-city blowhards, aspiring politicians, doctors of both the noble and greedy variety, hapless ivory-towered researchers, holier-than-thou neighbors, tedious gilded-age socialites, and even lazy and backwards islanders. In some ways, Arrowsmith rivals Main Street in its often-bleak view of human nature—though unlike Main Street, the good to humanity that science offers is an ultimate light at the end of the tunnel. The novel’s publication in 1925 made it one of the first serious “science” novels, exploring all aspects of the life and career of a modern scientist. Lewis was aided in the novel’s preparation by Paul de Kruif, a microbiologist and writer, whose medically-accurate contributions greatly enhance the text’s realist flavor. In 1926 Arrowsmith was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, but Lewis famously declined it. In his refusal letter, he claimed a disinterest in prizes of any kind; but the New York Times reported that those close to him say he was still angered over the Pulitzer’s last-minute snatching of the 1921 prize from Main Street in favor of giving it to The Age of Innocence.

A neglected tour de force by the first American to win the Nobel Prize in literature, Kingsblood Royal is a stirring and wickedly funny portrait of a man who resigns from the white race. When Neil Kingsblood a typical middle-American banker with a comfortable life makes the shocking discovery that he has African-American blood, the odyssey that ensues creates an unforgettable portrayal of two Americas, one black, one white. As timely as when it was first published in 1947, one need only open today''s newspaper to see the same issues passionately being discussed between blacks and whites that we find in Kingsblood Royal, says Charles Johnson. Perhaps only now can we fully appreciate Sinclair Lewis''s astonishing achievement.

This classic by Sinclair Lewis shattered the sentimental American myth of happy small-town life with its satire. Main Street attacks the conformity and dullness of early 20th Century midwestern village life in the story of Carol Milford, the city girl who marries the town doctor. Her efforts to bring culture to the prairie village are met by a wall of gossip, greed, and petty small-minded bigotry. Lewis''s complex and compelling work established him as an important character in American literature.

Babbitt, by Sinclair Lewis, is a satirical novel about American culture and society that critiques the vacuity of middle-class life and the social pressure toward conformity. The controversy provoked by Babbitt was influential in the decision to award the Nobel Prize in literature to Lewis in 1930. The word \"Babbitt\" entered the English language as a \"person and especially a business or professional man who conforms unthinkingly to prevailing middle-class standards.\" Lewis has been both criticized and congratulated for his unorthodox writing style in Babbitt. One reviewer said \"There is no plot whatever... Babbitt simply grows two years older as the tale unfolds.\" Lewis presents a chronological series of scenes in the life of his title character. After introducing George F. Babbitt as a middle-aged man, \"nimble in the calling of selling houses for more than people could afford to pay,\" Lewis presents a meticulously detailed description of Babbitt''s morning routine. Each item Babbitt encounters is explained, from the high-tech alarm clock, which Babbitt sees as a marker of social status, to the rough camp blanket, a symbol of the freedom and heroism of the West. As he dresses for the day, Babbitt contemplates each article of his \"Solid Citizen\" uniform, the most important being his Booster''s club button, which he wears with pride. The first seven chapters follow Babbitt''s life over the course of a single day. Over breakfast Babbitt dotes on his ten-year-old daughter Tinka, tries to dissuade his 22-year-old daughter Verona from her newfound socialist leanings, and encourages his 17-year-old son Ted to try harder in school. At the office he dictates letters and discusses real estate advertising with his employees. Babbitt is professionally successful as a realtor. Much of his energy in early chapters is spent on climbing the social ladder through booster functions, real estate sales, and making good with various dignitaries. According to Babbitt, any \"decent\" man in Zenith belonged to at least two or three \"lodges\" or booster clubs. They were good for potential business partnerships, getting time away from home and family life, and quite simply because \"it was the thing to do.\" Babbitt admits that these clubs \"stimulated him like brandy\" and that he often finds work dull and nerve-wracking in comparison. Lewis also paints vivid scenes of Babbitt bartering for liquor (despite being a supporter of Prohibition) and hosting dinner parties. At his college class reunion, Babbitt reconnects with a former classmate, Charles McKelvey, whose success in the construction business has made him a millionaire. Seizing the opportunity to hobnob with someone from a wealthier class, Babbitt invites the McKelveys to a dinner party. Although Babbitt hopes the party will help his family rise socially, the McKelveys leave early and do not extend a dinner invitation in return.

How is this book unique? Font adjustments & biography included Unabridged (100% Original content) Illustrated About Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis Babbitt, first published in 1922, is a novel by Sinclair Lewis. Largely a satire of American culture, society, and behavior, it critiques the vacuity of middle-class American life and its pressure toward conformity. An immediate and controversial bestseller, Babbitt was influential in the decision to award Lewis the Nobel Prize in literature in 1930. The word \"Babbitt\" entered the English language as a \"person and especially a business or professional man who conforms unthinkingly to prevailing middle-class standards\". Plot: Lewis has been both criticized and congratulated for his unorthodox writing style in Babbitt. One reviewer said \"There is no plot whatever... Babbitt simply grows two years older as the tale unfolds.\" Lewis presents a chronological series of scenes in the life of his title character. After introducing George F. Babbitt as a middle-aged man, \"nimble in the calling of selling houses for more than people could afford to pay,\" Lewis presents a meticulously detailed description of Babbitt''s morning routine.[16] Each item Babbitt encounters is explained, from the high-tech alarm clock, which Babbitt sees as a marker of social status, to the rough camp blanket, a symbol of the freedom and heroism of the West. As he dresses for the day, Babbitt contemplates each article of his \"Solid Citizen\" uniform, the most important being his Booster''s club button, which he wears with pride. The first seven chapters follow Babbitt''s life over the course of a single day. Over breakfast Babbitt dotes on his ten-year-old daughter Tinka, tries to dissuade his 22-year-old daughter Verona from her newfound socialist leanings, and encourages his 17-year-old son Ted to try harder in school. At the office he dictates letters and discusses real estate advertising with his employees. Babbitt is professionally successful as a realtor. Much of his energy in early chapters is spent on climbing the social ladder through booster functions, real estate sales, and making good with various dignitaries. According to Babbitt, any \"decent\" man in Zenith belonged to at least two or three \"lodges\" or booster clubs. They were good for potential business partnerships, getting time away from home and family life, and quite simply because \"it was the thing to do.\" Babbitt admits that these clubs \"stimulated him like brandy\" and that he often finds work dull and nerve-wracking in comparison. Lewis also paints vivid scenes of Babbitt bartering for liquor (despite being a supporter of Prohibition) and hosting dinner parties. At his college class reunion, Babbitt reconnects with a former classmate, Charles McKelvey, whose success in the construction business has made him a millionaire. Seizing the opportunity to hobnob with someone from a wealthier class, Babbitt invites the McKelveys to a dinner party. Although Babbitt hopes the party will help his family rise socially, the McKelveys leave early and do not extend a dinner invitation in return.

The lonely predicament of Carol Kennicott, caught be- tween her desires for social reform and individual hap- piness reflects the position in which America''s turn of the century, \"emancipated woman\"found herself.

\"Main Street,\" by Sinclair Lewis, is part of the \"\"Barnes & Noble Classics\" \"series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of \"Barnes & Noble Classics\" New introductions commissioned from today''s top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader''s viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. \"Barnes & Noble Classics \"pulls together a constellation of influences--biographical, historical, and literary--to enrich each reader''s understanding of these enduring works. \"This is America--a town of a few thousand, in a region of wheat and corn and dairies and little groves.\" So Sinclair Lewis--recipient of the Nobel Prize and rejecter of the Pulitzer--prefaces his novel \"Main Street.\" Lewis is brutal in his depictions of the self-satisfied inhabitants of small-town America, a place which proves to be merely an assemblage of pretty surfaces, strung together and ultimately empty. Brooke Allen holds a Ph.D. in English literature from Columbia University. She is a book critic whose work has appeared in numerous publications including \"The Atlantic Monthly, The New Criterion, The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Hudson Review,\" and \"The New Leader.\" A collection of her essays, \"Twentieth Century Attitudes,\" will be published in 2003.

The story of a doctor whose struggles to maintain integrity cost him positions as an instructor, a practicing physician, and a research pathologist.

This volume contains Sinclair Lewis''s 1925 novel, \"Martin Arrowsmith\". It tells the story of an aspiring scientist who goes from a small Midwest town to the highest levels of the scientific community. Masterfully written and utterly engaging, \"Martin Arrowsmith\" is recommended for the discerning reader, and is a must-have for collectors of Lewis''s work. It was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1926, but Sinclair refused to accept the award. Harry Sinclair Lewis (1885 - 1951) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. Many vintage texts such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this book now, in an affordable, high-quality, modern edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned biography of the author.