Author: Joseph T. Wells
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781889277257
Category : Criminals
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
From the notorious Charles Ponzi to controversial junk-bond king Michael Milken, the latest book from award-winning author Joseph Wells profiles the ten most monstrous fraudsters of the 20th century. Wells, described as "the country's foremost anti-fraud expert" by ABC's NightLine, has written scores of articles and six other books on commercial crime topics.
Frankensteins of Fraud
Author: Joseph T. Wells
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781889277257
Category : Criminals
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
From the notorious Charles Ponzi to controversial junk-bond king Michael Milken, the latest book from award-winning author Joseph Wells profiles the ten most monstrous fraudsters of the 20th century. Wells, described as "the country's foremost anti-fraud expert" by ABC's NightLine, has written scores of articles and six other books on commercial crime topics.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781889277257
Category : Criminals
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
From the notorious Charles Ponzi to controversial junk-bond king Michael Milken, the latest book from award-winning author Joseph Wells profiles the ten most monstrous fraudsters of the 20th century. Wells, described as "the country's foremost anti-fraud expert" by ABC's NightLine, has written scores of articles and six other books on commercial crime topics.
Frankenstein's Brain
Author: Jon Sutherland
Publisher: Icon Books
ISBN: 1785784099
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 236
Book Description
200 years on from the first publication of Frankenstein, John Sutherland delves into the deepest, darkest corners of Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece to see what strange and terrifying secrets lie within. Is Victor Frankenstein a member of the Illuminati? Was Mary Shelley really inspired by spaghetti? Whoever heard of a vegan monster? Exploring the lesser-known byways of both the original tale and its myriad film and pop culture spinoffs, from the bolts on Boris Karloff's neck to the role of Igor in Young Frankenstein, Frankenstein's Brain is a fascinating journey behind the scenes of this seminal work of literature and imagination. Includes a unique digest by the Guardian's John Crace.
Publisher: Icon Books
ISBN: 1785784099
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 236
Book Description
200 years on from the first publication of Frankenstein, John Sutherland delves into the deepest, darkest corners of Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece to see what strange and terrifying secrets lie within. Is Victor Frankenstein a member of the Illuminati? Was Mary Shelley really inspired by spaghetti? Whoever heard of a vegan monster? Exploring the lesser-known byways of both the original tale and its myriad film and pop culture spinoffs, from the bolts on Boris Karloff's neck to the role of Igor in Young Frankenstein, Frankenstein's Brain is a fascinating journey behind the scenes of this seminal work of literature and imagination. Includes a unique digest by the Guardian's John Crace.
Criminal Genius
Author: James C. Oleson
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520282418
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
"This study provides some of the first empirical information about the self-reported crimes of adults with genius-level IQ scores. The study combines quantitative data about 72 different offenses with qualitative data from 44 follow-up interviews to describe nine different types of offending: violent crime, property crime, sex crime, drug crime, white-collar crime, professional misconduct, vehicular crime, justice system crime, and miscellaneous crime"--Provided by publisher.
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520282418
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
"This study provides some of the first empirical information about the self-reported crimes of adults with genius-level IQ scores. The study combines quantitative data about 72 different offenses with qualitative data from 44 follow-up interviews to describe nine different types of offending: violent crime, property crime, sex crime, drug crime, white-collar crime, professional misconduct, vehicular crime, justice system crime, and miscellaneous crime"--Provided by publisher.
Called to Account
Author: Paul M. Clikeman
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1040105556
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Called to Account traces the evolution of the global public accounting profession through a series of scandals leading to voluntary or mandated reforms. Ever entertaining and educational, the book describes some of the most audacious accounting frauds of the last 90 years, and identifies the accounting standards and legislation adopted as a direct consequence of each scandal. While retaining favorite chapters exposing the schemes of "Crazy Eddie" Antar and Barry "the Boy Wonder" Minkow, this fourth edition includes new material describing the accounting problems at Carillion, Wirecard and Luckin Coffee. Students will learn that financial fraud is a global problem, and that accounting reform is heavily influenced by politics. With discussion questions, and a chart mapping each chapter to topics covered in popular auditing textbooks, together with supplemental PowerPoints for instructors, Called to Account is the ideal companion for classes in auditing, fraud examination, advanced accounting, or professional responsibilities.
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1040105556
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Called to Account traces the evolution of the global public accounting profession through a series of scandals leading to voluntary or mandated reforms. Ever entertaining and educational, the book describes some of the most audacious accounting frauds of the last 90 years, and identifies the accounting standards and legislation adopted as a direct consequence of each scandal. While retaining favorite chapters exposing the schemes of "Crazy Eddie" Antar and Barry "the Boy Wonder" Minkow, this fourth edition includes new material describing the accounting problems at Carillion, Wirecard and Luckin Coffee. Students will learn that financial fraud is a global problem, and that accounting reform is heavily influenced by politics. With discussion questions, and a chart mapping each chapter to topics covered in popular auditing textbooks, together with supplemental PowerPoints for instructors, Called to Account is the ideal companion for classes in auditing, fraud examination, advanced accounting, or professional responsibilities.
History of Greed
Author: David E. Y. Sarna
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470877707
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 418
Book Description
The “greater fool” theory of economics states that it’s possible to make money by buying paper (securities), whether overvalued or not, and later, selling it at a profit because there will always be an even greater fool willing to pay the higher price. Many described in this book profited by peddling such worthless junk to foolish investors. But for some people—Bernie Madoff, Norman Hsu, Sholam Weiss, and “Crazie Eddie” Antar, aka the “Darth Vader of Capitalism”—overvalued securities were not enough. Outright fraud was their way of life. History of Greed is the compelling inside story of the names you know—Charles Ponzi, Baron Rothschild, Lou Pearlman—and the names you don’t—Isaac Le Maire, the world’s first “naked” short-seller. It’s also our story—why we ignore the lessons of the past and fall prey, most every time, to the promise of easy money. For thousands of years, alchemists unsuccessfully tried to turn worthless base metals into gold. Where science failed at turning nothing into something, business succeeded. Sometimes we praise the creators of derivatives, collateral debt obligations, subprime mortgages, credit default swaps, or auction rate securities as Wall Street’s new financial wizards, the creators of “magic paper.” Other times, we vilify and prosecute them as scam artists. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell who is who. History of Greed reveals the inside secrets of how the markets really work, and how scam artists abuse them to gain an unfair edge or to outright steal. It describes how luftgescheft (“air business”), wizardry, dishonesty, and fraud are used to swindle people. Along with a comprehensive bibliography, History of Greed also details: 400 years of financial fraud—from everyday fraud to the odd and unusual Accounting fraud (phantom sales), stock option fraud (backdating), auction rate securities, hedge fund fraud, Ponzi schemes, promotion fraud (pump-and-dump scams), and money laundering How to detect fraudulent schemes How government regulation only fixes yesterday’s problems If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. If they say you can’t lose, you probably will. History of Greed shows that there really is no such thing as a free lunch, while also detailing how not to become the “greater fool.”
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470877707
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 418
Book Description
The “greater fool” theory of economics states that it’s possible to make money by buying paper (securities), whether overvalued or not, and later, selling it at a profit because there will always be an even greater fool willing to pay the higher price. Many described in this book profited by peddling such worthless junk to foolish investors. But for some people—Bernie Madoff, Norman Hsu, Sholam Weiss, and “Crazie Eddie” Antar, aka the “Darth Vader of Capitalism”—overvalued securities were not enough. Outright fraud was their way of life. History of Greed is the compelling inside story of the names you know—Charles Ponzi, Baron Rothschild, Lou Pearlman—and the names you don’t—Isaac Le Maire, the world’s first “naked” short-seller. It’s also our story—why we ignore the lessons of the past and fall prey, most every time, to the promise of easy money. For thousands of years, alchemists unsuccessfully tried to turn worthless base metals into gold. Where science failed at turning nothing into something, business succeeded. Sometimes we praise the creators of derivatives, collateral debt obligations, subprime mortgages, credit default swaps, or auction rate securities as Wall Street’s new financial wizards, the creators of “magic paper.” Other times, we vilify and prosecute them as scam artists. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell who is who. History of Greed reveals the inside secrets of how the markets really work, and how scam artists abuse them to gain an unfair edge or to outright steal. It describes how luftgescheft (“air business”), wizardry, dishonesty, and fraud are used to swindle people. Along with a comprehensive bibliography, History of Greed also details: 400 years of financial fraud—from everyday fraud to the odd and unusual Accounting fraud (phantom sales), stock option fraud (backdating), auction rate securities, hedge fund fraud, Ponzi schemes, promotion fraud (pump-and-dump scams), and money laundering How to detect fraudulent schemes How government regulation only fixes yesterday’s problems If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. If they say you can’t lose, you probably will. History of Greed shows that there really is no such thing as a free lunch, while also detailing how not to become the “greater fool.”
Corporate Fraud Handbook
Author: Joseph T. Wells
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119351987
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 436
Book Description
Delve into the mind of a fraudster to beat them at their own game Corporate Fraud Handbook details the many forms of fraud to help you identify red flags and prevent fraud before it occurs. Written by the founder and chairman of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), this book provides indispensable guidance for auditors, examiners, managers, and criminal investigators: from asset misappropriation, to corruption, to financial statement fraud, the most common schemes are dissected to show you where to look and what to look for. This new fifth edition includes the all-new statistics from the ACFE 2016 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, providing a current look at the impact of and trends in fraud. Real-world case studies submitted to the ACFE by actual fraud examiners show how different scenarios play out in practice, to help you build an effective anti-fraud program within your own organization. This systematic examination into the mind of a fraudster is backed by practical guidance for before, during, and after fraud has been committed; you'll learn how to stop various schemes in their tracks, where to find evidence, and how to quantify financial losses after the fact. Fraud continues to be a serious problem for businesses and government agencies, and can manifest in myriad ways. This book walks you through detection, prevention, and aftermath to help you shore up your defenses and effectively manage fraud risk. Understand the most common fraud schemes and identify red flags Learn from illustrative case studies submitted by anti-fraud professionals Ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations Develop and implement effective anti-fraud measures at multiple levels Fraud can be committed by anyone at any level—employees, managers, owners, and executives—and no organization is immune. Anti-fraud regulations are continually evolving, but the magnitude of fraud's impact has yet to be fully realized. Corporate Fraud Handbook provides exceptional coverage of schemes and effective defense to help you keep your organization secure.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119351987
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 436
Book Description
Delve into the mind of a fraudster to beat them at their own game Corporate Fraud Handbook details the many forms of fraud to help you identify red flags and prevent fraud before it occurs. Written by the founder and chairman of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), this book provides indispensable guidance for auditors, examiners, managers, and criminal investigators: from asset misappropriation, to corruption, to financial statement fraud, the most common schemes are dissected to show you where to look and what to look for. This new fifth edition includes the all-new statistics from the ACFE 2016 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, providing a current look at the impact of and trends in fraud. Real-world case studies submitted to the ACFE by actual fraud examiners show how different scenarios play out in practice, to help you build an effective anti-fraud program within your own organization. This systematic examination into the mind of a fraudster is backed by practical guidance for before, during, and after fraud has been committed; you'll learn how to stop various schemes in their tracks, where to find evidence, and how to quantify financial losses after the fact. Fraud continues to be a serious problem for businesses and government agencies, and can manifest in myriad ways. This book walks you through detection, prevention, and aftermath to help you shore up your defenses and effectively manage fraud risk. Understand the most common fraud schemes and identify red flags Learn from illustrative case studies submitted by anti-fraud professionals Ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations Develop and implement effective anti-fraud measures at multiple levels Fraud can be committed by anyone at any level—employees, managers, owners, and executives—and no organization is immune. Anti-fraud regulations are continually evolving, but the magnitude of fraud's impact has yet to be fully realized. Corporate Fraud Handbook provides exceptional coverage of schemes and effective defense to help you keep your organization secure.
The Wagon to Disaster
Author: Chris Warner
Publisher: Wagon Publishing
ISBN:
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 123
Book Description
It was the quintessential American success story: Identify a niche; form a company to exploit it; raise millions in venture capital; take the concept public; meet stockholder expectations for 40 straight quarters, in the process becoming a darling of Wall Street; and of course make money plenty of it while the stock price steadily climbs and revenue projections increase. In a few short years you ve gone from rags to riches...you re on a monster roll... Until your boss, saddled with the realization that the Street expectations cannot realistically be met, asks you to creatively fix the numbers. It s the toughest decision you ve ever made, and one where the easiest way out could be the most difficult, given the circumstances. Caught squarely between greed and fear, Aaron Beam did the unthinkable. Corporate greed is the Black Plague of the modern financial world threatening America s ability to maintain free market capitalism in an increasingly distrusting, changing, and socialistic world economy. The Wagon to Disaster, told by former co-founder and CFO Aaron Beam, is the untold story of HealthSouth, one of America s most successful health care companies and consequently, the perpetrator of one of its biggest frauds in history. How big was the fraud? In 2003, just before news of the crime broke in the mainstream media, HealthSouth paid more money in taxes to the Federal Government than it legitimately earned the previous year. Beam takes the reader from HealthSouth s humble beginnings, through its meteoric rise and to its disastrous revelation, subsequent trial and his three-month incarceration in a federal prison. Moreover, he reveals the nature of the fraud and the true personality of the driving force behind HealthSouth Richard Marin Scrushy, one of the most enigmatic, nefarious characters the State of Alabama has ever produced a hard-charging, unscrupulous visionary whose caustic, Machiavellian approach ensured HealthSouth s success, and oddly, his predictable fall as the company s benevolent dictator.
Publisher: Wagon Publishing
ISBN:
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 123
Book Description
It was the quintessential American success story: Identify a niche; form a company to exploit it; raise millions in venture capital; take the concept public; meet stockholder expectations for 40 straight quarters, in the process becoming a darling of Wall Street; and of course make money plenty of it while the stock price steadily climbs and revenue projections increase. In a few short years you ve gone from rags to riches...you re on a monster roll... Until your boss, saddled with the realization that the Street expectations cannot realistically be met, asks you to creatively fix the numbers. It s the toughest decision you ve ever made, and one where the easiest way out could be the most difficult, given the circumstances. Caught squarely between greed and fear, Aaron Beam did the unthinkable. Corporate greed is the Black Plague of the modern financial world threatening America s ability to maintain free market capitalism in an increasingly distrusting, changing, and socialistic world economy. The Wagon to Disaster, told by former co-founder and CFO Aaron Beam, is the untold story of HealthSouth, one of America s most successful health care companies and consequently, the perpetrator of one of its biggest frauds in history. How big was the fraud? In 2003, just before news of the crime broke in the mainstream media, HealthSouth paid more money in taxes to the Federal Government than it legitimately earned the previous year. Beam takes the reader from HealthSouth s humble beginnings, through its meteoric rise and to its disastrous revelation, subsequent trial and his three-month incarceration in a federal prison. Moreover, he reveals the nature of the fraud and the true personality of the driving force behind HealthSouth Richard Marin Scrushy, one of the most enigmatic, nefarious characters the State of Alabama has ever produced a hard-charging, unscrupulous visionary whose caustic, Machiavellian approach ensured HealthSouth s success, and oddly, his predictable fall as the company s benevolent dictator.
The Art of Woo
Author: G. Richard Shell
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1101202513
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 332
Book Description
You may need The Art of War to defeat your enemies, but if you prefer to win them over, read The Art of Woo G. Richard Shell and Mario Moussa know what it takes to drive new ideas through complex organizations. They have advised thousands of executives from companies such as Google, Microsoft, and General Electric to organizations like the World Bank and even the FBI's hostage rescue training program. In The Art of Woo, they present their systematic, four- step process for winning over even the toughest bosses and most skeptical colleagues. Beginning with two powerful self-assessments to help readers find their "Woo IQ," they show how relationship-based persuasion works to open hearts and minds. "Ranging across history, from Charles Lindbergh to Sam Walton, the authors examine how savvy negotiators use persuasion - not confrontation-to achieve goals." -U.S. News & World Report
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1101202513
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 332
Book Description
You may need The Art of War to defeat your enemies, but if you prefer to win them over, read The Art of Woo G. Richard Shell and Mario Moussa know what it takes to drive new ideas through complex organizations. They have advised thousands of executives from companies such as Google, Microsoft, and General Electric to organizations like the World Bank and even the FBI's hostage rescue training program. In The Art of Woo, they present their systematic, four- step process for winning over even the toughest bosses and most skeptical colleagues. Beginning with two powerful self-assessments to help readers find their "Woo IQ," they show how relationship-based persuasion works to open hearts and minds. "Ranging across history, from Charles Lindbergh to Sam Walton, the authors examine how savvy negotiators use persuasion - not confrontation-to achieve goals." -U.S. News & World Report
Executive Roadmap to Fraud Prevention and Internal Control
Author: Martin T. Biegelman
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0471779679
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 417
Book Description
Praise for Executive Roadmap to Fraud Prevention and InternalControl "Our nation is faced with dual alarming trends of record highs inwhite-collar crime and seemingly record lows in ethics. Thesolution cannot be left only to legislators, regulators, and lawenforcement. It requires the attention of all of us in business tocreate a culture of compliance. This new book by Martin Biegelmanand Joel Bartow is an invaluable resource to achieving the highestlevels of compliance." --Kenneth J. Hunter, former chief postal inspector andformer president & CEO of the Council of Better BusinessBureaus "This is a timely and thought-provoking addition to fraud and riskmanagement literature. For seasoned executives who are navigatingthe maze of compliance, legislative requirements, and increasinglysophisticated criminal activity, this book will be a frequentreference and guide. Neophyte managers will gain years of insightand direction that can only benefit their organizations. Academics,both faculty and students, will learn from the authors' ability toapply theory to high-level practice." --Gary R. Gordon, EdD, Professor of Economic CrimeManagement and Executive Director, Economic Crime Institute ofUtica College "All executives need to protect themselves and their organizationsfrom the potentially catastrophic damage fraud can cause, bothfinancially and reputationally. This new book is a very clear andpractical guide to achieving that goal." --Toby J. F. Bishop, President and Chief Executive Officer,Association of Certified Fraud Examiners "This book is a must-read for anyone eager to understand--andprevent--the toxic mix of temptations that can destroy a company'sreputation overnight. The authors, both seasoned former fraudinvestigators, bring a unique, clear-eyed perspective to the topicof corporate fraud. They have seen it all, and their book is aninvaluable reference for senior management, compliance executives,in-house lawyers, and anyone else who cares about corporateintegrity." --Leslie R. Caldwell, Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockiusformer director, U.S. Department of Justice Enron Task Force "Excellent resource! A great guide for corporate management in thepost-Enron world." --Karen A. Popp, Partner, Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLPand former associate counsel to President Bill Clinton and formerfederal prosecutor
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0471779679
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 417
Book Description
Praise for Executive Roadmap to Fraud Prevention and InternalControl "Our nation is faced with dual alarming trends of record highs inwhite-collar crime and seemingly record lows in ethics. Thesolution cannot be left only to legislators, regulators, and lawenforcement. It requires the attention of all of us in business tocreate a culture of compliance. This new book by Martin Biegelmanand Joel Bartow is an invaluable resource to achieving the highestlevels of compliance." --Kenneth J. Hunter, former chief postal inspector andformer president & CEO of the Council of Better BusinessBureaus "This is a timely and thought-provoking addition to fraud and riskmanagement literature. For seasoned executives who are navigatingthe maze of compliance, legislative requirements, and increasinglysophisticated criminal activity, this book will be a frequentreference and guide. Neophyte managers will gain years of insightand direction that can only benefit their organizations. Academics,both faculty and students, will learn from the authors' ability toapply theory to high-level practice." --Gary R. Gordon, EdD, Professor of Economic CrimeManagement and Executive Director, Economic Crime Institute ofUtica College "All executives need to protect themselves and their organizationsfrom the potentially catastrophic damage fraud can cause, bothfinancially and reputationally. This new book is a very clear andpractical guide to achieving that goal." --Toby J. F. Bishop, President and Chief Executive Officer,Association of Certified Fraud Examiners "This book is a must-read for anyone eager to understand--andprevent--the toxic mix of temptations that can destroy a company'sreputation overnight. The authors, both seasoned former fraudinvestigators, bring a unique, clear-eyed perspective to the topicof corporate fraud. They have seen it all, and their book is aninvaluable reference for senior management, compliance executives,in-house lawyers, and anyone else who cares about corporateintegrity." --Leslie R. Caldwell, Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockiusformer director, U.S. Department of Justice Enron Task Force "Excellent resource! A great guide for corporate management in thepost-Enron world." --Karen A. Popp, Partner, Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLPand former associate counsel to President Bill Clinton and formerfederal prosecutor
Frankenstein Or the Modern Prometheus (the Revised 1831 Edition - Wisehouse Classics) (Revised 1831)
Author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789176374191
Category : Drama
Languages : en
Pages : 144
Book Description
This is the Revised 1831 Edition of FRANKENSTEIN; OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS, a novel written by the English author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley about the young science student Victor Frankenstein, who creates a grotesque but sentient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Shelley started writing the story when she was eighteen, and the novel was published when she was twenty. The first edition was published anonymously in London in 1818. Shelley's name appears on the second edition, published in France in 1823. Shelley had travelled through Europe in 1814, journeying along the river Rhine in Germany with a stop in Gernsheim which is just 17 km away from Frankenstein Castle, where, two centuries before, an alchemist was engaged in experiments. Later, she travelled in the region of Geneva (Switzerland)-where much of the story takes place-and the topic of galvanism and other similar occult ideas were themes of conversation among her companions, particularly her lover and future husband, Percy Shelley. Mary, Percy, Lord Byron, and John Polidori decided to have a competition to see who could write the best horror story. After thinking for days, Shelley dreamt about a scientist who created life and was horrified by what he had made; her dream later evolved into the novel's story. Shelley completed her writing in May 1817, and Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus was first published on 11 March 1818 by the small London publishing house of Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones. The second edition of Frankenstein was published on 11 August 1822 in two volumes (by G. and W. B. Whittaker) following the success of the stage play Presumption; or, the Fate of Frankenstein by Richard Brinsley Peake; this edition credited Mary Shelley as the author. On 31 October 1831, the first "popular" edition in one volume appeared, published by Henry Colburn & Richard Bentley. This edition was heavily revised by Mary Shelley, partially because of pressure to make the story more conservative, and included a new, longer preface by her, presenting a somewhat embellished version of the genesis of the story. This edition tends to be the one most widely read now, although editions containing the original 1818 text are still published. Many scholars prefer the 1818 text, arguing that it preserves the spirit of Shelley's original publication.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789176374191
Category : Drama
Languages : en
Pages : 144
Book Description
This is the Revised 1831 Edition of FRANKENSTEIN; OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS, a novel written by the English author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley about the young science student Victor Frankenstein, who creates a grotesque but sentient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Shelley started writing the story when she was eighteen, and the novel was published when she was twenty. The first edition was published anonymously in London in 1818. Shelley's name appears on the second edition, published in France in 1823. Shelley had travelled through Europe in 1814, journeying along the river Rhine in Germany with a stop in Gernsheim which is just 17 km away from Frankenstein Castle, where, two centuries before, an alchemist was engaged in experiments. Later, she travelled in the region of Geneva (Switzerland)-where much of the story takes place-and the topic of galvanism and other similar occult ideas were themes of conversation among her companions, particularly her lover and future husband, Percy Shelley. Mary, Percy, Lord Byron, and John Polidori decided to have a competition to see who could write the best horror story. After thinking for days, Shelley dreamt about a scientist who created life and was horrified by what he had made; her dream later evolved into the novel's story. Shelley completed her writing in May 1817, and Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus was first published on 11 March 1818 by the small London publishing house of Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones. The second edition of Frankenstein was published on 11 August 1822 in two volumes (by G. and W. B. Whittaker) following the success of the stage play Presumption; or, the Fate of Frankenstein by Richard Brinsley Peake; this edition credited Mary Shelley as the author. On 31 October 1831, the first "popular" edition in one volume appeared, published by Henry Colburn & Richard Bentley. This edition was heavily revised by Mary Shelley, partially because of pressure to make the story more conservative, and included a new, longer preface by her, presenting a somewhat embellished version of the genesis of the story. This edition tends to be the one most widely read now, although editions containing the original 1818 text are still published. Many scholars prefer the 1818 text, arguing that it preserves the spirit of Shelley's original publication.