Want to know what really makes men tick? Cabell had it all figured out. It's about fantasy and the various postures men assume in the pursuit thereof. Start with any of his books and go on to whatever you can find. There IS a chronology to the History but, unlike so many other series, it doesn't matter where you start with Cabell. It gets richer and more dazzeling with each volume.

I came across this novelette in a collection that cost me [$$$] in a jumble sale. I immedately started reading "Tubal Cain' by Joseph Hergesheimer, because I vaguely recalled having seen a movie of the same name. I turns out that this movie was made in 1934. Hergesheimer apparently had some small continuing fame in the 10' 20's and 30's of the 20th C., but he seems almost forgotten now.
It is true that in comparison with other more famous authors of the era (such as Willa Cather) his achievement is insignificant. This is a shame because Tubal Cain, a story of the development of the Pennsylvania iron industry, contains some very good writing and some very effective storytelling. Unfortunately Hergesheimer did not have the skill to effectively make use of his strengths. Tubal Cain is very frustrating in that the strong storyline is abruptly terminalted. (Its as if an eight month gestation is abruptly aborted when the mother and child seemed to be in perfect health). The plot is developing very well, when the author inexplicably terminates the story in a very unsatisfactory fashion. I was enjoying the story, despite its flaws, and felt very short changed by the ending.
Its a pity the old movie also seems to be unavailable on video or DVD - it would be good to see it again.
Quite a good read, but with some frustrating flaws.