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Classic Literature

The Common Man: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

The Common Man: 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 Common Man is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Reynolds, Mack (1917–1983).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"The Common Man" by Mack Reynolds is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around a group of scientists who conduct an experiment on a typical American man, searching for the essence of the "Common Man" by testing an invisibility serum on him. Through their interactions and the ensuing chaos, the narrative explores themes of morality, power, and human nature, ultimately questioning whether the common person can be trusted with absolute freedom. In the novel, the main character, Donald Crowley, is recruited by scientists Dr. Frederick Braun, Patricia O'Gara, and Ross Wooley to undergo tests with an invisibility serum. As he experiences life without the constraints of visibility, Crowley embarks on a series of adventures, revealing his true character and a desire for power. The experiment quickly spirals out of control as Crowley begins to use his newfound abilities for personal gain, forming a criminal alliance and plotting political aspirations. This leads to a realization for the scientists that the so-called "Common Man" may not be as innocent as they hoped, prompting a tense exploration of ethics and societal implications of unchecked human behavior through the lens of Crowley's transformation from an everyday man into a figure of potential chaos.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: The Common Man
  • Author credits: Reynolds, Mack (1917–1983)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Science fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: American Literature
  • Category: Novels
  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
  • Science Fiction

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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