The information printed by Amazon.com in their description of this book bears little relationship to the new Pelican paperback. The paperback is a facsimile of the 1911 edition. I myself wrote the description used here by Amazon to describe the Pelican book. What I wrote refers to the Quellen Company's enlarged and annotated edition, which has foreword and introduction, and six appendices telling about the publication of the original book, the two plays produced from the book, and the silent movie made from it. Also, many illustrations not in the original book, or the Pelican paperback. A lot of original research went into gathering and putting together this material. I believe the description may convey an erroneous impression to prospective purchasers of the Pelican book. I did not authorize the use of this material to describe any other book than my own, because, oviously, it does not describe any other book! Signed: Quentin Burke, editor of the enlarged, interpretive edition of "Barbara" and of the commemorative edition of "Barbara." Both are hard cover and both are obtainable from Amazon.com.

Reclamation, engineering, and irrigation are topics that do strike me as terribly piquant. I wouldn't have believed that a novel devoted to such subject matter could be so interesting, but Harold Bell Wright can manipulate the English language in a way equaled by very few other authors. As the desert becomes a thriving community, the reader is right there actually taking part in all the transmutations.

With his usual multi-dimensional characters and the plot's rococo developments, the story thoroughly captivates as it moves quickly through its exciting labyrinth.

Those familiar with Wright's earlier books (Shepherd of the Hills, The Calling of Dan Matthews, and That Printer of Udells) will be in for a surprise. While they all prominently featured ministers, this book is clergyman-free and makes only minor references to religion. Still this equally wholesome read is subtitled as "the Ministry of Capitalism," and its portrayal of ethical business dealings, employer-employee loyalties, and the costs of progress make this work from the early twentieth century vitally relevant to the early twenty-first century.

I do agree with the bottom reviewer who pointed out that this page's book description boasting illustrations, an introduction and a preface (none of which exist in this version) does not apply.

An epic, fictional, western story of the settling of the desert in the Imperial Valley, CA. Two rich capitalists, Jefferson Worth, and a New York company decide to channel water and help irrigate the barren land.

The two forces, work together but soon the NY Company realizes it needs money to satisfy the stock holders, so they resort to "Capitalist" tricks against Worth and using cost saving techniques at the expense of safety.

There are many characters, but Worth has an adopted daughter, named Barbara. The company has a lead engineer named Willard Holmes who does what the company wants regardless of the moral implications. He likes Barbara, but she shuns him saying he lacks conviction and is a mere puppet.

There is significantly more to do this book than what I have mentioned. I found it fairly deep for a Western book. At the time of the writing, the Socialist / Communist movement was very strong and people questioned the moral values of Capitalism. Wright successfully demonstrates that Capitalism for money sake is wrong where as Capitalism for the benefit of helping / growing people is right. Worth is the shrewd business man who wants to make money but at the same time help the people that are making him rich by allowing them to earn money as well. This book could almost be a primer for business ethics. I'll be looking forward to reading more of Wright's books as they are well thought out and are always engaging.

Hugh Edwards, a non-western type, wanders into in a rural Arizona mining community. The principle characters of the mining community are Thad and Bob - both friendly old-timers who have an adopted young woman they've raised since early childhood named Marta. In addition, the friendly Saint Jimmy (the doctor) and his mother live in the area.

Hugh quickly learns to be independent and makes a life for himself mining for gold. However, he is smitten with love for Marta (and she for him). However, Marta is ashamed to admit the love because she doesn't know her true heritage. Hugh also has a shadowy past that he is running from. Their love is made obvious when Natachee (a lone wolf Indian in the area who has a grudge against white people) forces Hugh to be his slave after earning of Hugh's past. Also, other unsavory characters kidnap Marta after realizing that her parents are a source of money and Hugh must come to her rescue.

Harold Bell Wright writes a traditional western tale. The book is a bit deeper than that, though. Wright illustrates that the greed that causes people to search for the lost "Mine with the Iron Door" (a mine that is rumored to hold much gold) is the same that caused the destruction of the Indian and the western frontier. Natachee's enlightening lectures makes the reader aware of what the Indians went through. Fans of Wright won't be disappointed by this story, however the ending was a bit goofy or me.

-etg