Hartmann, the Anarchist; Or, The Doom of the Great City

"Hartmann, the Anarchist; Or, The Doom of the Great City" by E. Douglas Fawcett is a novel written in the late 19th century. It explores themes of anarchism and social upheaval through the experiences of its protagonist, who finds himself entangled with revolutionary characters and contemplating the nature of society and its potential destruction. The main character is Stanley, who navigates through the tensions of political activism while encountering significant figures like the infamous anarchist Hartmann. The opening of the story introduces us to Stanley, reflecting on his past and current political ambitions in a grim London of 1920. He receives a letter that alters his plans for a journey to Paris, leading him to a conversation with John Burnett, a revolutionary figure with extremist views. The narrative hints at the turbulence brewing in society due to the anarchist movements, and through Stanley's thoughts, we learn of Hartmann's notorious past as a failed attempt to assassinate a figure of authority, which resulted in numerous deaths. As the dialogue progresses, the reader is drawn into the social issues of the time, leading Stanley closer to a world of conspiracy and rebellion, setting the stage for the events to unfold involving Hartmann and his radical ideologies.