Hammett, Dashiell

A collection of twenty-one writings by Dashiell Hammett, author of "The Maltese Falcon, " and "The Thin Man, " composed between 1922 and 1941, including detective and crime fiction, humorous satires, adventure yarns, and an autobiographical piece.

Literary Masterpieces is one series of the trio that makes up the Gale Study Guides to Great Literature (the others are Literary Topics and Literary Masters). Each Literary Masterpieces volume chooses a book by one of the authors covered in Literary Masters and offers a discussion of themes, characters, comparisons with social events of the era when the book was written and a critical analysis. Dashiell Hammett began writing in 1922 and was one of many mystery writers in America at that time. However, he was the most accomplished and his experiences as a Pinkerton detective brought realism to his mystery fiction. The Maltese Falcon, as well as many of his other works, are mysteries of lasting literary worth.

Literary Masters is one series of the trio that makes up the Gale Study Guides to Great Literature (the others are Literary Masterpieces and Literary Topics). Each Literary Masters volume introduces a significant author and covers basic biographical information. Dashiell Hammett popularized the hard-boiled detective in American crime fiction to an art form and drew on his experiences as a private eye to create believable characters in realistic situations.

A collection of five stories by Dashiell Hammett.

Nick and Nora Charles solve a murder.

In San Francisco in 1928, Sam Spade searches for a priceless statuette. He finds himself torn between loyalty to his murdered partner and an opportunity for personal gain.

In San Francisco in 1928, Sam Spade searches for a priceless statuette. He finds himself torn between loyalty to his murdered partner and an opportunity for personal gain.