River Supreme

About this book

"River Supreme" is a compelling historical novel that explores the collision of Western modernization and ancient Chinese tradition during the early twentieth century. Set against the powerful and unpredictable backdrop of the Yangtze River, the story follows the ambitious Eben Hawley, an American pioneer determined to conquer the river's treacherous rapids with the power of steam.As Hawley faces the immense physical challenges of the Three Gorges, he must also navigate the complex social and political landscape of a China in transition. Alice Tisdale Hobart masterfully depicts the tension between the drive for industrial progress and the deeply rooted customs of the local river men. Through the lens of the Hawley family's struggle, the narrative captures the essence of the foreign merchant experience in Asia, highlighting themes of perseverance, cultural conflict, and the human cost of ambition.Rich in atmosphere and historical detail, "River Supreme" offers a vivid portrayal of a pivotal era when the arrival of new technologies forever altered the rhythm of life on one of the world's great waterways. This work stands as a significant exploration of cross-cultural encounter and the relentless pursuit of one's vision against the forces of nature and history.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.