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Classic Literature

The Big Idea: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

The Big Idea: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Published by Pop Culture Files••2 min read•Automatically generated · review not guaranteed
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

The Big Idea is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Cummings, Ray (1887–1957).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"The Big Idea" by Ray Cummings is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Jimmy Rand, a coal miner who dreams of making a significant impact beyond the confines of the mine. As Jimmy grapples with his aspirations amid the monotony and dangers of his mining job, he stumbles upon an innovative idea that could revolutionize how coal is utilized, setting the stage for his journey toward achieving fame and wealth. The opening of this novel introduces us to Jimmy Rand, a 22-year-old miner who feels trapped in his hereditary profession despite his physical prowess. While waiting to check in for work, Jimmy's thoughts drift to his dreams of achieving greatness with the support of his girlfriend Anne. His creative spark ignites when he observes the burning coal underground and considers the possibility of utilizing that heat directly, rather than mining the coal. This idea fills him with determination, and he resolves to pursue it with fervor, believing it could change both their lives. The chapter sets up a contrast between Jimmy's humble beginnings and his ambition, hinting at the challenges and opportunities he will face in the coming narrative.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: The Big Idea
  • Author credits: Cummings, Ray (1887–1957)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Coal mines and mining -- Fiction
  • Factories -- Fiction
  • Inventions -- Fiction
  • Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
  • Young men -- Fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: American Literature
  • Category: Novels

Read this edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

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