Showing results by author "Upton Sinclair" in All Categories

In Oil!, we follow the journey of James Arnold Ross, affectionately known as Dad, and his son, James Jr., fondly called Bunny. This captivating tale, inspired by the real-life figure Edward L. Doheny and set against the backdrop of World War I, delves into the tumultuous events reminiscent of the Teapot Dome Oil Scandal during the Harding administration. Like many of Upton Sinclair’s works, it explores profound themes of social conflict, the struggles between labor and management, the clash of democracy and socialism, and the moral dilemmas of life. As Bunny navigates his complex ...

As a spy for President Franklin Roosevelt, Lanny Budd was able to infiltrate the inner circle of the Nazi high command and glean essential information on behalf of the Allied cause. Now, as the terrible global conflict approaches its long-awaited conclusion, the newly commissioned Captain Budd of the US Army is on hand to witness the final collapse of the Third Reich in the aftermath of the Battle of the Bulge.

Boston is the novelized account of the Sacco and Vanzetti affair, which rocked the nation—and the world—in the 1920s. Two working-class Italian immigrants, both associated with radical political beliefs, stood accused of the murder of two armed guards during the commission of a payroll robbery. Sinclair’s novel weaves actual historical facts, stories, and persons with persons and events he created for the purpose of telling an interesting story, with more and deeper historical context.

Since the age of thirteen, Lanny Budd has been more than an eyewitness to history. From the Paris Peace Conference to the Battle of the Bulge, he has played key roles in the extraordinary events of his age. Now, forty years later, Presidential Agent 103 is coming out of retirement to serve his country—and the free world—once more. A counterfeiting conspiracy hatched by unrepentant neo-Nazis threatens to gravely damage America’s efforts to rebuild and stabilize a divided Germany.

Upton Sinclair was a man in search of truth, in search of knowledge, in search of a good story, and forever in search of good health. Sinclair had many chronic ailments during his life and was always looking for new ways to improve his wellbeing. He experimented with and explored all the trends and new ideas of the early 20th century. Sinclair spent years as a vegetarian after researching the meat packing industry for his bestselling 1906 exposé, The Jungle. He learned about fasting to improve digestion and a host of other maladies.

Upton Sinclair, the muckraking giant of 20th century journalism and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Jungle, turns his critical eye upon the world of religion. Mind you, he is not critical of God nor of the teachings of Christ, but of the organized religions throughout history and of our times.

This 1906 novel by Upton Sinclair emphasizes the predicament of the working class and illustrates the corruption of the American meatpacking industry in the early-20th century. The story sets off with a dramatic portrayal of a Lithuanian wedding feast, which introduces the listener to all of the major and secondary characters.

From the author of the landmark book of investigative “muckraking” journalism, The Jungle comes only the second book by Sinclair to be produced as an audiobook for commercial distribution: The Brass Check. Upton Sinclair turns his critical eye and his sharp pen on the corruption and lies of the media that ruled the day 100 years ago - the newspapers, the magazines, and the wire services. He lays bare their pervasive collusion with big industrial, financial, and political interests.

In Book of Life, the renowned novelist, essayist, and playwright Upton Sinclair shares his most cherished insights on faith, reason, love, virtue, morality, and mortality. These two thought-provoking volumes are filled with his kind and witty advice that invites readers to reflect and discover wisdom that resonates across generations. Prepare to be both challenged and enlightened with each turn of the page. (Summary by Rom Maczka)

Upton Sinclair was first and foremost the most eminent and impactful muckraking journalist of the early 20th century (The Jungle - 1906: precipitated meaningful and permanent improvements in the safety and purity of the food we eat).

Jurgis Rudkus, an impoverished Lithuanian immigrant, takes a lowly job at Brown's slaughterhouse to support his young wife and their relatives. Once admiring America for its potential, Rudkus has found opportunities to be too far out of his reach. After being evicted, Rudkus is living in a slum and deeply in debt - unable to support his family. As he attempts to make ends meet, the oppressive working conditions and crippling poverty begin to take a toll on Rudkus and his family.

Wall Street is corrupt and has been corrupt for generations. There are to be found the Great Men shuffling millions (and now billions) from one bank, one trust, one syndicate, and one scheme to the next. Wealth brings power and with the power comes more wealth. Upton Sinclair tells us this tale through the eyes of a Wall Street lawyer in 1906. A man who is "in Society" but not truly "of Society". A man named Montague begins to bit by bit to see the true rape and pillage of the economy which is going on day by day.

Dive into the gripping narrative of 100% The Story of a Patriot, where a poor, uneducated young man navigates the tumultuous waters of political struggle, driven by his instincts and cunning. As he becomes embroiled in the often violent clash between American patriots and Reds, his journey unfolds in a way that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The author notes in the Appendix, absent from this recording, that Everything that has social significance is truth and that nearly all characters in 100% are based on real individuals. Published in 1920, this provocative novel by Upton ...

Step into the world of the late 19th century, where the Rudkus family embarks on a journey from Lithuania to America, driven by the hope of a brighter future. As they settle in the gritty Packingtown neighborhood of Chicago, their dreams quickly dissolve into a harsh reality. Jurgis, the protagonist, along with his father Antanas, fiancée Ona, her stepmother Teta Elzbieta, her brother Jonas, six children, and cousin Marija Berczynskas, find themselves ensnared by deceit and making choices that lead them into the depths of poverty and despair. Faced with brutal working conditions in their ...

The Profits of Religion An Essay in Economic Interpretation is a thought-provoking non-fiction work by Upton Sinclair, first published in 1917. This compelling analysis examines the landscape of religious movements in the United States just before its entry into World War I. Sinclair critiques institutionalized religion, portraying it as a source of income to parasites and an ally of various forms of oppression and exploitation. His powerful arguments challenge readers to reconsider the role of religion in society.

Set in the vibrant yet tumultuous backdrop of Western City in the 1920s, They Call Me Carpenter unfolds the gripping tale of Billy, a man who finds himself fleeing a mob of ex-servicemen after watching a provocative German film. Seeking refuge in a church, he encounters Carpenter—an embodiment of Jesus—who emerges from the stained glass. Shocked by the rampant greed, selfishness, and division he witnesses, Carpenter reflects on the human condition, paralleling the profound journey of Jesus ministry. This thought-provoking narrative invites listeners to explore themes of morality, ...

In this captivating 1907 novel, Upton Sinclair delves into the opulent world of New York City’s elite, crafting a vivid portrait of high society. Allan Montague, a thirty-year-old lawyer, relocates from Mississippi to join his mother and cousin Alice, reuniting with his younger brother Oliver, who has fully immersed himself in a whirlwind of social events among the city’s most influential figures. As Oliver introduces Allan to this glamorous yet superficial world, Sinclair reveals the extravagant lifestyles of the wealthy, marked by lavish parties, extravagant expenditures on entertainment...

Upton Sinclair, renowned for his groundbreaking novel The Jungle, also made significant contributions to the world of theater. In The Machine, part of Sinclairs 1912 collection Plays of Protest, a group of Socialist activists exposes a wealthy young womans sheltered life, revealing the harsh realities of the society she inhabits. Join us as we explore this thought-provoking drama that challenges the status quo and invites reflection on social justice. (Summary by wildemoose) Cast Julia Patterson, a magazine writer Elizabeth Klett; Jack Bullen, a parlor Socialist Dale Burgess; Laura Hegan, ...

Dive into a gripping tale of white-collar crime and intrigue through the eyes of Montague, a member of New Yorks elite. As Montague navigates the treacherous waters of high finance, he witnesses the cunning manipulation of the stock market by the vengeful financier Dan Waterman—whose character draws inspiration from the infamous J.P. Morgan. Prepare for a captivating exploration of ambition, revenge, and the complexities of wealth. (Summary by Margaret)

Mental Radio is a non-fiction audiobook focused on mental clarity, attention control, and independent thinking. Drawing from philosophy, psychology, and cognitive insight, this audiobook explores how beliefs are formed, how focus is disrupted, and how disciplined thought can be restored in a distracted world.