CAUTION! You are about to enter a world... where all engineering ingenuity has been employed for public spectacles of torture and death where the stock market operates with pari-mutuel machines where a court clerk transcribes testimony on punch cards, then feeds it to a jury machine where the dream real-estate development of today has become a cracked-concrete savage jungle In this world, young lawyer Charles Mundin battles a great combine of corporate interests—battles them in board meetings and in dark alleys—in a struggle that lays bare some brutal promises of the future...promises we are beginning to make right now. “...wholly admirable, in both thinking and execution.”—Galaxy “Reminiscent in vigor, bite and acumen to THE SPACE MERCHANTS”—Anthony Boucher. “...possessed of a bite and savage vigor which makes it one of the outstanding science fiction novels of the year.”—The New York Times “...a powerfully convincing story.”—New York Herald Tribune

Gladiator, first published in 1930, tells the story of Hugo Danner, who is given superhuman speed, endurance, strength, and intelligence by his father as an experiment in creating a better human. We follow Hugo throughout his life viewed from his perspective, from childhood, when Hugo first discovers he’s different from others, to adulthood, as Hugo tries to find a positive outlet for his abilities around the time of the first World War. Gladiator has been made into a 1938 comedy movie, and is thought to be the inspiration for the Superman comic books—though this has not been confirmed.

"Gladiators, an exciting account of the ancient Roman institution of arena combat, traces the bloody 800-year history of the bustuarii from their rise during the third century B.C. to their eventual abolition at the end of the fifth century A.D. The popularity of gladiatorial combat dramatizes the paradox of Roman civilization: poets, philosophers, and politicians glorifying this brutal and savage institution in a culture remarkable for its contributions to government, law, literature, philosophy, and art--a culture that was a cornerstone of Western civilization. Although no amount of explanation can mitigate the savagery, in some ways good things came out of this almost-supreme evil. It brought forth countless acts if individual courage, it created one of the world's greatest architectural forms, and it inspired a number of thoughtful men to write down violent protests that stood firm against this overwhelming tide of brutality. Illustrations of mosaics, statuettes, reliefs, and the remains of arenas and amphitheaters illuminate the text."--Provided by publisher

Of all aspects of Roman culture, the gladiatorial contests for which the Romans built their amphitheatres are at once the most fascinating and the most difficult for us to come to terms with. They have been seen variously as sacrifices to the gods or, at funerals, to the souls of the deceased; as a mechanism for introducing young Romans to the horrors of fighting; and as a direct substitute for warfare after the imposition of peace. In this original and authoritative study, Thomas Wiedemann argues that gladiators were part of the mythical struggle of order and civilisation against the forces of nature, barbarism and law breaking, representing the possibility of a return to new life from the point of death; that Christian Romans rejected gladiatorial games not on humanitarian grounds, but because they were a rival representation of a possible resurrection.

He was a titan, standing taller than the Empire State Building. He was voted one of the “100 Smartest New Yorkers” and deemed by People Magazine and his peers one of the top half-dozen defense attorneys in the country. His was a household name, so when he died in 2014, the world’s leading newspapers ran lengthy obituaries of him. As an attorney, he was a warrior, a Roman gladiator, feared by prosecutors, respected by judges. He represented clients as notorious as mobsters Paul Castellano and Carlo Gambino, and as diverse as Ross Perot, Studio 54, Keith Hernandez, the New York Jets, MGM, Def Jam Records, and Columbian drug lords. He argued before the Supreme Court, and several times remade criminal law in ways that remain to this day. Of nearly 1000 cases he tried, he won more than 80 percent. He was described as a combination of Bob Hope and Darth Vader. He was superhuman, brilliant, charming, and unforgettable. He was trial lawyer Jimmy LaRossa, and they’ll never be another American lawyer quite like him. This is his story, Last of the Gladiators: A Memoir of Love, Redemption, and the Mob by his son, James LaRossa Jr.

At its core, 'Search the Sky' stands as a multi-faceted exploration of science fiction, weaving together a tapestry of narratives that challenge and contemplate the future of humanity through a rich array of literary styles. The anthology, curated by the eminent Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth, showcases a selection of stories that push the boundaries of imagination and scientific speculation. With each tale, the reader is invited into vast, uncharted territories that question societal norms, technological advancements, and the very essence of human evolution. This collection serves not only as entertainment but as a signpost of the times, capturing the zeitgeist of mid-20th century speculative fiction with its themes of dystopia, space exploration, and the potentialities of future societies. The diverse narratives within this anthology are representative of the periods overarching anxieties and aspirations, making it a standout piece in the literary landscape of science fiction. The collaboration between Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth brings together two of the most influential voices in science fiction. Their backgrounds, having lived through a significant portion of the 20th century, inject a fascinating depth and authenticity into the collection. This era was marked by rapid technological advancements and the looming threat of nuclear war, both of which are reflected in the themes of 'Search the Sky'. The confluence of Pohls and Kornbluths visions offers readers a nuanced understanding of the societal and existential questions that preoccupied minds during this time. The anthology aligns with significant cultural and literary movements, including the Golden Age of Science Fiction, and contributes to the genres ongoing dialogue about humanitys place in the universe. 'Search the Sky' is an indispensable collection for readers yearning to dive into the depths of science fiction. It presents an unparalleled opportunity to witness the convergence of two masterful writers imaginations, offering insights into humanitys potential paths and pitfalls. This anthology is not just a journey through space and time but an invitation to contemplate our future and the infinite possibilities that lie beyond our Earthly confines. For scholars, enthusiasts, and casual readers alike, this collection provides a gateway to understanding the enduring questions that science fiction seeks to address, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the genre and its reflections on the human condition.

Science fiction-roman.

An analysis of the lives of ancient Rome's gladiators explores how they were both despised and hero-worshiped, chronicling how tens of thousands of gladiators perished publicly over the course of six hundred years.

“WE’RE GOING TO FIND OUT MORE, AND THEN WE’RE GOING TO FIGHT! It was enough to curdle the blood. Haendl was proposing to fight—against the invulnerable, the almost godlike Pyramids! Haendl stood up. “Tropile, that’s what this is all about!” He gestured around him. “Guns, tanks, airplanes—it’s going to be us against them. Never mind the Sheep; they don’t count. It’s going to be Pyramids and Wolves, and the Pyramids won’t win. And then—” He was glowing, and the fever was contagious. Tropile felt his own blood begin to pound. Haendl hadn’t finished his “and then—”, but he didn’t have to. It was obvious. And then the Earth would go back to its own solar system, and an end to the five-year cycle of frost and hunger. And then the Wolves would rule a world worth ruling. This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

Alan Baker weaves an extraordinary, vivid picture of Roman life as his compelling and evocative history tells the story of Rome's most notable gladiators. They were condemned and feared by emperors, slaughtered and adored by the masses and worshipped by their female fans, yet their lives were invariably violently short. Whether their enemy was a starved tiger or a battle-hardened criminal, their numbered days were dark and bloody. Yet men gave up their wealth and freedom to become gladiators and noble-women gave up their positions to be with them. The Gladiator illuminates the extraordinary lives of Spartacus, Commodus, Eppia and others - bringing the same energy and passion to the page that Ridley Scott's cinematic triumph bough to the screen.