Power Without Glory by Frank Hardy

This novel is a gritty and controversial tale set in early 20th-century Australia, chronicling the life of a ruthless and ambitious man who rises from working-class origins to become a powerful figure in the political and business arenas. Through a combination of cunning, blackmail, and corruption, he amasses wealth and influence, all while maintaining a facade of respectability. His unscrupulous dealings and personal indiscretions, however, lead to a tumultuous private life and eventually draw the scrutiny of his enemies. The story serves as a critique of the corrupting nature of power and the moral compromises one may make in the pursuit of glory.

The 5954th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 66

Since this book was first published in 1950, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 66.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.