All Formats & Editions

Like the tentacles of an octopus, the tracks of the railroad reached out across California, as if to grasp everything of value in the state Based on an actual, bloody dispute between wheat farmers and the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880, The Octopus is a stunning novel of the... Read Full Overview

The Octopus describes the raising of wheat in California, and conflict between the wheat growers and a railway company. Norris was inspired by role of the Southern Pacific Railroad in events surrounding the Mussel Slough Tragedy. It depicts the tension between the corrupt railroad... Read Full Overview

He took a firmer hold of the cork grips of his handlebars--the road being in a wretched condition after the recent hauling of the crop--and quickened his pace. He told himself that, no matter what the time was, he would not stop for luncheon at the ranch house, but would push... Read Full Overview

Based on an actual bloody dispute in 1880 between wheat farmers and the Southern Pacific Railroad, this shocking tale of lust for power, greed, and betrayal plays out during the last days of the western frontier. As the beast that encircled and strangled ranches, The Railroad... Read Full Overview

Based on an actual bloody dispute in 1880 between wheat farmers and the Southern Pacific Railroad, this shocking tale of greed, betrayal, and a lust for power is played out during the waning days of the western frontier. The Octopus vividly and relentlessly records social and... Read Full Overview

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 is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely... Read Full Overview

The Octopus: A Story of California is a 1901 novel by Frank Norris and was meant to be the first part of an uncompleted trilogy, The Epic of the Wheat. It describes the wheat industry in California, and the conflicts between wheat growers and a railway company. Norris was inspired... Read Full Overview

The Complete Works of Frank Norris: The Octopus (1901) is a comprehensive collection of the literary works of American author Frank Norris. The centerpiece of this collection is Norris' acclaimed novel, The Octopus, which was first published in 1901. The novel is a powerful depiction... Read Full Overview

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 will see the original... Read Full Overview

Based on an actual bloody dispute in 1880 between wheat farmers and the Southern Pacific Railroad, this shocking tale of greed, betrayal, and a lust for power is played out during the waning days of the western frontier. The Octopus vividly and relentlessly records social and... Read Full Overview

Based on an actual bloody dispute in 1880 between wheat farmers and the Southern Pacific Railroad, this shocking tale of greed, betrayal, and a lust for power is played out during the waning days of the western frontier. The Octopus vividly and relentlessly records social and... Read Full Overview

Like the tentacles of an octopus, the railroad in California reached out across the state, grasping everything of value in the state.

Based on the bloody Mussel Slough Tragedy--a conflict between wheat farmers and the Southern Pacific Railroad--The Octopus... Read Full Overview