HARDY, FRANK J. "ROSS FRANKLYN" — Power Without Glory: A Novel in Three Parts

Melbourne, Realist Printing. 1950, Second Edition. Red Cloth, 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. Book, 672 pages, b/w chapter vignettes. Unexpurgated edition. Spine partiall split on one side. Title written in felt pen on spine. A historical novel written by Australian author Frank Hardy, following the life and ambitions of John West, a politician born into a working class family who rises to prominence in Australian federal politics. Following the novel's publication, Ellen Wren, the wife of bookmaker and businessman John Wren sued Hardy for libel, claiming that the characters of John West and his wife Nellie were modeled on the Wrens. Ultimately Hardy was cleared and publication allowed. Good.