Jacob's Ladder

Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips), 1866-194Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 358K words
Chapters: 36

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Jacob's Ladder by E. Phillips OppenheimAuthor: Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips), 1866-1946,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Jun 7, 2010

Editor's review

Jacob's Ladder is a work by the British popular novelist Edward Phillips Oppenheim, belonging to the suspense-adventure genre he excelled in. Oppenheim is known for tight plotting, identity mysteries, and upper-class settings; this book revolves around a secret affecting the interests of multiple parties, with characters maneuvering between trust and calculation at a brisk pace, making it a light read in the genre. As a public-domain eBook, its value lies in showcasing the narrative pleasures of early 20th-century British popular fiction: suspense setup, dialogue-driven progression, and morally ambiguous characters. Readers should not expect profound social analysis but can enjoy its entertainment value and period atmosphere. For those studying the history of popular fiction or Oppenheim's oeuvre, it serves as a sample of his narrative formulas; general readers can read it in segments during commutes or holidays.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy classic suspense-adventure and identity-mystery stories
Readers who want a light introduction to early 20th-century British popular fiction
Readers seeking segmented entertainment reading for commutes or holidays
Enthusiasts studying Oppenheim's works and popular literary genres

Not a good fit for

Deep readers seeking serious social analysis or literary experimentation
Readers hoping for contemporary high-tech crime or psychological thrillers
Readers impatient with slow buildup and old-fashioned dialogue style

Reading tips

Read the first two chapters to clarify main character relationships, then proceed chapter by chapter.
Treat it as light reading in segments; don't scrutinize period language word by word.
Note how the author advances plot through dialogue and suspense for genre analysis.
If reading the original, keep brief background notes handy to reduce obstacles from old-fashioned expressions.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for beginners to suspense fiction?

Yes. Oppenheim's narrative relies mainly on suspense and dialogue, with relatively clear plot threads and no need for complex background knowledge. As long as you accept the narrative pace and language habits of the early 20th century, it can serve as an introductory read for classic suspense-adventure.

What English level is needed to read the original?

Intermediate or above reading ability is recommended. The book has much dialogue and somewhat old-fashioned sentence structures, but is not overall obscure. If you encounter period language or social titles, guess from context or prepare brief background notes to assist reading.

Is it related to other works with the same title?

This is an independent novel by Oppenheim and should not be confused with same-title films or works by other authors. Refer to the author and publication information to avoid mixing plots from different adaptations or same-name stories into your understanding of this book.

Can this book be used for studying popular literature?

Yes, but it is better as a genre sample than as sole material. It can be used to observe the suspense structure, character setup, and upper-class settings of early 20th-century British suspense-adventure novels; it is recommended to use it alongside other contemporary popular fiction and scholarly works.

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About the author

Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips), 1866-194 Author

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Edward Phillips Oppenheim, 1866–194) was a writer known for mystery and espionage fiction. Public information about him is limited, and the biographical details in our records are incomplete. The existing catalogue shows that he was a prolific author, with 61 of his works held on this site, including The Great Impersonation, The Double Traitor, The Governors, The Lost Ambassador, The Yellow House, and Stolen Idols. These works generally centre on disguise and false identity, political intrigue, detective pursuit, and adventure; their plots are tightly paced and full of suspense, and he was skilled at advancing the narrative through complex relationships among characters. His works are often classified under inspirational growth, reflecting readers' interest in the choices and turning points of fate faced by his characters.