The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great
Author : Henry Fielding
Publisher : London : Routledge
Page : 238 pages
File Size : 34,62 MB
Release : 1898
Category : Criminals
ISBN :
Jonathan Wild
Author : Henry Fielding
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 304 pages
File Size : 12,88 MB
Release : 2003
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780192804082
Book Description
'he carried Good-nature to that wonderful and uncommon Height, that he never did a single Injury to Man or Woman, by which he himself did not expect to reap some Advantage' The real-life Jonathan Wild, gangland godfather and self-styled 'Thieftaker General', controlled much of the London underworld until he was executed for his crimes in 1725. Even during his lifetime his achievements attracted attention; after his death balladeers sang of his exploits, and satirists made connectionsbetween his success and the triumph of corruption in high places. Henry Fielding built on these narratives to produce one of the greatest sustained satires in the English language. Published in 1743, at a time when the modern novel had yet to establish itself as a fixed literary form, Jonathan Wild is at the same time a brilliant black comedy, an incisive political satire, and a profoundly serious exploration of human 'greatness' and 'goodness'.
Thief-Taker General
Author : Gerald Howson
Publisher : Transaction Publishers
Page : 390 pages
File Size : 27,2 MB
Release : 1985-01-01
Category : History
ISBN : 9781412839884
Book Description
The historical literature of political deviance is sparse. This unusual work, chronicling the history of Jonathan Wild, represents an effort to come to terms with one of the more amazing characters of English social history. Wild was both part of the policy system in eighteenth-century England, and also one of the most adroit criminals of the age. In the 1720s, London suffered the worst crime waves in its history. Civic corruption took place on a staggering scale. The government's answer was to pay a bounty for the capture of robbers, thus creating a class of professional informers. Wild was applauded as the most efficient thief hunter and gang breaker in British society; but his own posse of thief catchers was basically a front behind which he was able to control the underground world, through a complex system of blackmail, perjury, and terror which the book details. All who opposed him were betrayed to the law, and in the struggle for power Wild sacrificed several hundred of his own people to the hangman. No one since his time, with the exception of Lavrenti Beria of the late Stalin era GPU so nearly succeeded in bringing the underworld under the control of one system of power. At one level, this is a biography of the world's first supercriminal. At another, it is a sociology of criminal behavior and its political consequences. Howson sheds fresh light, not only on a figure who has become famous in literature, but more important, on the entire structure of gang life. The book is written "as a "terrifying and fascinating study of a historical epoch; it also offers a completely fresh picture of the birth of modern organized-crime families as part of modern organized political systems.
The History of the Life of Jonathan Wild, the Great
Author : Henry Fielding
Publisher :
Page : 426 pages
File Size : 20,30 MB
Release : 1840
Category :
ISBN :
Book Description
The History of The Life of The Late Mr. Jonathan Wild The Great
Author : Henry Fielding
Publisher : Prabhat Prakashan
Page : 208 pages
File Size : 40,82 MB
Release : 2023-10-01
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN :
Book Description
Embark on a riveting journey through the underworld of 18th-century London with "The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" by Henry Fielding. Join Fielding as he unveils the captivating tale of Jonathan Wild, a notorious figure whose cunning and ambition propelled him to the heights of power and infamy in the criminal underworld. In this gripping narrative, Fielding introduces readers to the larger-than-life character of Jonathan Wild, a master manipulator and self-styled "Thief-Taker General" who rose to prominence through a combination of charm, deceit, and ruthlessness. From his humble beginnings as a petty thief, Wild ascends to become the undisputed kingpin of London's criminal underworld, orchestrating daring heists and betraying his allies with impunity. With his keen insight into human nature and his sharp wit, Fielding offers readers a nuanced portrait of Wild, exploring the complexities of his character and the moral ambiguities of his actions. Through vivid descriptions and compelling dialogue, he brings to life the seedy streets and shadowy alleys of 18th-century London, immersing readers in a world of intrigue, betrayal, and danger. The overall tone and mood of "The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" are one of dark humor, irony, and moral ambiguity, as Fielding navigates the murky waters of crime and punishment in Georgian England. His satirical portrayal of Wild and his exploits offers a biting critique of society's fascination with fame, power, and wealth. Widely acclaimed for its wit, intelligence, and moral complexity, "The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" has earned a place as one of Fielding's most enduring works. Its exploration of themes such as justice, ambition, and the corrupting influence of power continues to resonate with readers, offering a timeless commentary on the human condition. Designed to appeal to readers with a taste for adventure and intrigue, "The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" offers a thrilling glimpse into the seedy underbelly of 18th-century London. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or simply someone looking for a gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Fielding's novel promises an unforgettable ride from start to finish. In comparison to other works of 18th-century literature, "The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" stands out for its irreverent humor, its vivid characterizations, and its incisive social commentary. Fielding's skillful blend of satire and storytelling makes this novel a true classic of the genre. On a personal level, "The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" resonates with readers by exploring timeless themes of ambition, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power. Fielding's portrayal of Wild serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the allure of ill-gotten gains. Don't miss your chance to delve into the captivating world of "The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great" by Henry Fielding. Join Fielding on a journey through the seedy streets of 18th-century London, and discover the dark allure of one of literature's most notorious antiheroes.
The Thief-Taker Hangings
Author : Aaron Skirboll
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 325 pages
File Size : 27,82 MB
Release : 2014-09-02
Category : History
ISBN : 1493014234
Book Description
After the Glorious Revolution, a not so glorious age of lawlessness befell England. Crime ran rampant, and highwaymen, thieves, and prostitutes ruled the land. Execution by hanging often punished the smallest infractions, and rip-roaring stories of fearless criminals proliferated, giving birth to a new medium: the newspaper. In 1724, housebreaker Jack Sheppard—a “pocket Hercules,” his small frame packed with muscle—finally met the hangman. Street singers sang ballads about the Cockney burglar because no prison could hold him. Each more astonishing than the last, his final jailbreak took him through six successive locked rooms, after which he shimmied down two blankets from the prison roof to the street below. Just before Sheppard swung, he gave an account of his life to a writer in the crowd. Daniel Defoe stood in the shadow of the day’s literati—Swift, Pope, Gay—and had done hard time himself for sedition and bankruptcy. He saw how prison corrupted the poor. They came out thieves, but he came out a journalist. Six months later, the author of Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders covered another death at the hanging tree. Jonathan Wild looked every bit the brute—body covered in scars from dagger, sword, and gun, bald head patched with silver plates from a fractured skull—and he had all but invented the double-cross. He cultivated young thieves, profited from their work, then turned them in for his reward—and their execution. But one man refused to play his game. Sheppard didn’t take orders from this self-proclaimed “thief-taker general,” nor would he hawk his loot through Wild’s fences. The two-faced bounty hunter took it personally and helped bring the young burglar’s life to an end. But when Wild’s charade came to light, he quickly became the most despised man in the land. When he was hanged for his own crimes, the mob wasn’t rooting for Wild as it had for Sheppard. Instead, they hurled stones, rotten food, and even dead animals at him. Defoe once again got the scoop, and tabloid journalism as we know it had begun.
Miscellanies: The life of Mr. Jonathan Wild the great
Author : Henry Fielding
Publisher :
Page : 444 pages
File Size : 23,26 MB
Release : 1743
Category :
ISBN :
Book Description
The History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great
Author : Henry Fielding
Publisher :
Page : 272 pages
File Size : 32,57 MB
Release : 1893
Category :
ISBN :
Book Description
Thief-Taker General
Author : Gerald Howson
Publisher : Transaction Publishers
Page : 338 pages
File Size : 25,65 MB
Release : 1985-01-01
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 9780887380327
Book Description
The historical literature of political deviance is sparse. This unusual work, chronicling the history of Jonathan Wild, represents an effort to come to terms with one of the more amazing characters of English social history. Wild was both part of the policy system in eighteenth-century England, and also one of the most adroit criminals of the age. In the 1720s, London suffered the worst crime waves in its history. Civic corruption took place on a staggering scale. The government's answer was to pay a bounty for the capture of robbers, thus creating a class of professional informers. Wild was applauded as the most efficient thief hunter and gang breaker in British society; but his own posse of thief catchers was basically a front behind which he was able to control the underground world, through a complex system of blackmail, perjury, and terror which the book details. All who opposed him were betrayed to the law, and in the struggle for power Wild sacrificed several hundred of his own people to the hangman. No one since his time, with the exception of Lavrenti Beria of the late Stalin era GPU so nearly succeeded in bringing the underworld under the control of one system of power. At one level, this is a biography of the world's first supercriminal. At another, it is a sociology of criminal behavior and its political consequences. Howson sheds fresh light, not only on a figure who has become famous in literature, but more important, on the entire structure of gang life. The book is written as a terrifying and fascinating study of a historical epoch; it also offers a completely fresh picture of the birth of modern organized-crime families as part of modern organized political systems.
Into the Wild
Author : Jon Krakauer
Publisher : Anchor
Page : 241 pages
File Size : 13,16 MB
Release : 2009-09-22
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 0307476863
Book Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. This is the unforgettable story of how Christopher Johnson McCandless came to die. "It may be nonfiction, but Into the Wild is a mystery of the highest order." —Entertainment Weekly McCandess had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Not long after, he was dead. Into the Wild is the mesmerizing, heartbreaking tale of an enigmatic young man who goes missing in the wild and whose story captured the world’s attention. Immediately after graduating from college in 1991, McCandless had roamed through the West and Southwest on a vision quest like those made by his heroes Jack London and John Muir. In the Mojave Desert he abandoned his car, stripped it of its license plates, and burned all of his cash. He would give himself a new name, Alexander Supertramp, and, unencumbered by money and belongings, he would be free to wallow in the raw, unfiltered experiences that nature presented. Craving a blank spot on the map, McCandless simply threw the maps away. Leaving behind his desperate parents and sister, he vanished into the wild. Jon Krakauer constructs a clarifying prism through which he reassembles the disquieting facts of McCandless's short life. Admitting an interest that borders on obsession, he searches for the clues to the drives and desires that propelled McCandless. When McCandless's innocent mistakes turn out to be irreversible and fatal, he becomes the stuff of tabloid headlines and is dismissed for his naiveté, pretensions, and hubris. He is said to have had a death wish but wanting to die is a very different thing from being compelled to look over the edge. Krakauer brings McCandless's uncompromising pilgrimage out of the shadows, and the peril, adversity, and renunciation sought by this enigmatic young man are illuminated with a rare understanding—and not an ounce of sentimentality. Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page.
