Inspired by an infamous real-life criminal case, Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy, chronicles the life of New Yorker Clyde Griffiths, a young man eager to raise his status, but whose recklessness and moral weakness prove to be his undoing. An essential read for mystery, crime and classic readers. New Glossary and biography. The FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CRIME CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library of classic crime and mystery thrillers. Each stunning unabridged edition features deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy was inspired by an infamous real life criminal case. First published in 1925, Dreiser chronicles the life of a young man eager to raise his status, but whose recklessness and moral weakness prove to be his undoing. Raised in poverty by devout missionaries, Clyde Griffiths longs for more. After getting a job at a grand Kansas City hotel, his dreams finally seem in reach, but his self-interest and obsession with the material lead him to commit one transgression after another, ultimately leading to murder. A specially commissioned biography of the author and a glossary of Victorian and Literary terms make this new edition essential for all classic crime fans! A specially commissioned biography of the author and a glossary of Victorian and Literary terms make this new edition essential for all classic crime fans! AUTHOR: American novelist and journalist Theodore Herman Albert Dreiser (1871-1945) was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, the ninth of ten surviving children. As a journalist for the Chicago Globe and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat he wrote about literature and interviewed notable figures including Andrew Carnegie and Thomas Edison, before writing his first novel, Sister Carrie in 1899. Now regarded as one of the great American novels, it wasn t until the publication of An American Tragedy that Dreiser enjoyed commercial success. A writer of the naturalist school, Dreiser’s work concerns itself with exploring the tensions of a rapidly changing society, as urban centres expand and social norms relax. SELLING POINTS: . Deluxe foiled and embossed cover, with gilded edges. . Gift editions of essential crime classics. . Accessible and timeless unabridged text. . Features an extended biography and glossary of Victorian and Literary terms. Hardback Deluxe edition, foiled and embossed, with gilded edges.