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Think that the problem of large corporations exercising undue influence in the political sphere is a recent phenomenon? If so, think again. Mr. Crewe's Career, an eye-opening historical novel set in the early twentieth century, follows the efforts of the railroad industry to steamroll its way into state politics in New Hampshire. This partly autobiographical political novel, set in New Hampshire, is a warning against the powers of the railroad interests to control elected government. Churchill himself had run for governor just two years earlier and had met his defeat at the hands of the state's railroad lobby. In the character of Humphrey Crewe, a somewhat politically naïve, comical figure who is running for governor, Churchill drew a character similar to himself. But Crewe is basically a minor figure, there to offer comic relief, but the main thrust of the story lies elsewhere. The main characters actually are Hillary Vane, the chief lawyer for the railroad company and major state political operator, and his son, Austen, who represents reform. Austen accuses his father of violating a "nearly forgotten" statute whereby the railroads were not to increase rates in exchange for the right to consolidate, a ruling they have long ignored. Churchill's real-life reform concerns came to the fore right here, as this was exactly what was happening in New Hampshire at the time. The battle between Austen and Hillary builds dramatically throughout the novel, until Austen is encouraged by other reformers to run for governor. But out of loyalty to his father, he declines the nomination.
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Subjects
Social problems, Fiction, Railroad companies, Political corruptionShowing 6 featured editions. View all 19 editions?
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Book Details
First Sentence
"I MAY as well begin this story with Mr. Hilary Vane, more frequently addressed as the Honourable Hilary Vane, although it was the gentleman's proud boast that he had never held an office in his life."
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- Created April 30, 2008
- 4 revisions
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April 26, 2011 | Edited by OCLC Bot | Added OCLC numbers. |
April 14, 2010 | Edited by Open Library Bot | Linked existing covers to the edition. |
December 15, 2009 | Edited by WorkBot | link works |
April 30, 2008 | Created by an anonymous user | Imported from amazon.com record |