RICH MAN, POOR MAN tells the story of Rudolph, Gretchen and Tom, the children of an embittered, impoverished German baker, growing up in a small town near New York City as World War II is drawing to a close. These three are seen over a period of twenty-four years in scene after brilliant scene which build up into a revelation of twentieth-century American life: the mobility, the quick encounters, the big deals, the myth-making. Ranging from Manhattan in the effervescent post-war years, to Hollywood, bathed in uncertain sunshine, and to the deceptive peace of the Mediterranean coast, RICH MAN, POOR MAN is at once a triumphant study of character and a truly epic novel of America.
This is a Beginner Level story in a series of ELT readers comprising a wide range of titles - some original and some simplified - from modern and classic novels, and designed to appeal to all age-groups, tastes and cultures. The books are divided into five levels: Starter Level, with about 300 basic words; Beginner Level (600 basic words); Elementary Level (1100); Intermediate Level (1600); and Upper Level (2200). Some of the titles are also available on cassette.