The Black Douglas

Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford), 1860-1914Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.2

Word count: 694K words
Chapters: 70

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.The Black Douglas by S. R. CrockettAuthor: Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford), 1860-1914,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Feb 9, 2006

Editor's review

The Black Douglas is an English novel by the Scottish author S. R. Crockett, a public-domain work of English literature released as an e-book by Project Gutenberg. Crockett is known for Scottish historical and regional fiction, and the title points to the famous Douglas family in Scottish history; readers can expect a narrative with historical background and an adventurous bent. As a public-domain e-book, its advantages are easy access and a complete text, making it suitable as supplementary reading for those interested in Scottish historical fiction. Editorial note: the materials provide only bibliographic and classification information, with no plot summary, so readers should not assume a specific storyline. It suits English-literature enthusiasts for general reading, history-minded readers for further exploration, or as a sample of late-nineteenth-century Scottish popular historical fiction. Recommended approach: read the opening chapters first to get a feel for the language and narrative pace before deciding whether to read it through.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Scottish historical and regional fiction
Literature enthusiasts looking to broaden their general reading in English literature
Students studying late-nineteenth-century popular historical fiction
Readers who prefer public-domain e-books and choose their own titles

Not a good fit for

Readers who need a modern Chinese translation or detailed annotations
Those who prefer contemporary fast-paced narrative and have limited patience for older fiction
Readers who want a full plot summary before deciding to read

Reading tips

Read the first two chapters to adjust to the language and narrative pace, then decide whether to read through or selectively.
Jot down character relationships and place names as you read to help trace the historical background.
Read alongside general reference material on Scottish history to understand the family background indicated by the title.

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

What is this book's connection to Scottish history?

The "Douglas" in the title points to the famous Douglas family in Scottish history, and the author Crockett was known for Scottish-themed writing. However, the materials provide no specific plot summary, so how the historical background is presented must be judged by the reader in the course of reading; it should not be assumed to be strict historical record.

How difficult is the English?

The materials do not indicate a language level. As an English novel from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, its style may be somewhat old-fashioned, with longer sentences. Readers with intermediate or higher English reading ability will find it easier to get into; beginners are advised to use a dictionary or try the opening chapters first.

Does the e-book include an introduction or annotations?

According to the given materials, this is a public-domain electronic text released by Project Gutenberg, with no indication of an introduction, annotations, or appendices. Readers who need background knowledge may consult relevant material on Scottish history and the author's life to support their reading.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford), 1860-1914 Author

S. R. Crockett (Samuel Rutherford Crockett, 1860–1914) was a Scottish novelist, though public information about the details of his life is limited. The collection here contains seventeen of his works, known for historical romance and love stories. His representative work The Men of the Moss-Hags draws on Scottish history with vivid narrative, while The Lilac Sunbonnet: A Love Story shows his delicate handling of romance. The Standard Bearer, The Red Axe, and Lochinvar: A Novel continue a style that intertwines adventure and history. He also depicts the turmoil of the 1871 Commune in southern France in A Tatter of Scarlet and recreates the Wars of Religion in The White Plumes of Navarre. His works are often classified as inspirational coming-of-age fiction, frequently portraying characters who hold fast to their convictions through hardship, with brisk plots and a strong sense of local color and period atmosphere.