Publisher's Synopsis
The Barrier is a novel by Rex E. Beach, first published in 1908. It is set in Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. The story follows two men, Neil Bonner and John Gale, who are partners in a mining venture in the remote wilderness. They are joined by a woman named Cherry Malotte, who runs a saloon in the nearby town of Nome. Cherry is initially seen as an outsider by the men, but as the story progresses, they come to rely on her for survival in the harsh environment.The novel explores themes of greed, survival, and the struggle for power in a lawless society. It also depicts the harsh realities of life in the Alaskan wilderness, including the dangers of weather, disease, and wild animals. The characters are complex and well-developed, with their motivations and actions driving the plot forward.Overall, The Barrier is a gripping tale of adventure and survival in the untamed wilderness of Alaska. It is a classic work of American literature, and a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Klondike Gold Rush.1908. Rex Beach was well on his way to becoming a lawyer when he was hit by Gold Rush Fever and left for the Klondike to strike it rich. He never found gold, but his travels had sparked his imagination and he began to write. His tales of adventures quickly made him into a popular author. The Barrier begins: Many men were in debt to the trader at Flambeau, and many counted him as a friend. The latter never reasoned why, except that the had done them favors, and in the North that counts for much. Perhaps they build likewise upon the fact that he was ever the same to all, and that, in days of plenty or in times of famine, his store was open to every man, and all received the same measure. Nor did he raise his prices when the boats were late. They recalled one bleak and blustery autumn when the steamer sank at the Lower Ramparts, taking with her all their winter's food, how he eked out his scanty stock, dealing to each and every one his portion, month by month. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.