The Mainspring

Jay Lake's first trade novel is an astounding work of creation. Lake has envisioned a clockwork solar system, where the planets move in a vast system of gears around the lamp of the Sun. It is a universe where the hand of the Creator is visible to anyone who simply looks up into the sky, and sees the track of the heavens, the wheels of the Moon, and the great Equatorial gears of the Earth itself. Mainspring is the story of a young clockmaker's apprentice, who is visited by the Archangel Gabriel. He is told that he must take the Key Perilous and rewind the Mainspring of the Earth. It is running down, and disaster to the planet will ensue if it's not rewound. From innocence and ignorance to power and self-knowledge, the young man will make the long and perilous journey to the South Polar Axis, to fulfill the commandment of his God. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Author Henry Grady Weaver was convinced that human liberty is the mainspring of progress, and that government tends always to tyranny. In this book, first published in 1947, Weaver popularizes these themes for the American people. This is the Revised Edition first published in 1953, containing Weaver’s revisions discussed and agreed prior to his untimely death in 1949.

The Gold Pocket Watch: A grandfather’s watch plays an important role in his granddaughter’s life. Free Manure: Two bumbling, harmless ex-convicts are outsmarted by a woman who runs an orphanage. Earl and Four Socks: Against all odds, a horse trainer and a race horse regain their rightful places. Jeff’s Dream: A young man goes West during the gold rush and befriends a raven that changes his life. A New Beginning: A man’s taste of heaven becomes a life-changing experience. The Shopping Cart: A retired couple guides a homeless woman to a path of success. Daisy: A dog affects the lives of many. Water, Roots, and Diamonds: Good fortune, determination, and courage transform a dream into a reality. Giannis and Plato: Life of a giant sea turtle and a boy on a Greek island. Snow Angels: People from different backgrounds bond during their desperate hours. Love Knows no Boundaries: A hurricane separates an infant and his au pair from the family. Hanno’s Song: A boy’s love and an elephant’s courage overcome all obstacles. The Road to Friendship: Friendship between a white and a black man is tested under harsh conditions. Qanuk: A polar bear struggles with the consequences of global warming and man’s greed. The Land Remains: A farmer’s discovery of an ancient treasure creates new challenges. The Oak: A minister learns the true meaning of faith.