The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

Nicholas Nickleby came from a well-to-do family. His father died, leaving him, his sister and mother to fend for themselves. They travel to Nicholas's uncle for help. However, the Uncle, Ralph is not keen to help them. They struggle with various types of employment, and discover that the Uncle is connected with various nere-do-wells who are "white color scammers".  They work through many odd jobs, including getting some renown as a playwright and performer. They finally end up in a comfortable situation at the end, while uncle meets a bad end.

The book has many characters and goes on for a long time. Every now and then, I found some interesting parts, but for the most part I had trouble following what was going on. There are a lot of views of 19th century society and various people. Maybe it would be better if I had a keen interest in England at the time.

Phule's Company: Phule's Company, Book 1

Phule's Company is a band of misfit space legion recruits led by an ultra-wealthy heir to a Phule company munitions fortune. (Though Phule claims to have earned his money himself.) The legion does not know what to do with him. Rather than kick him our, the send him to be in charge of a remote outpost where nobody wants to be. There he manages to build up the esteem of his group and transform them into a viable fighting force. He always seems to know how to use bureaucracy and rules to his advantage. (Though padding things with some money doesn't hurt.) The rise is not perfect, but they are eventually able to use cunning to tie an elite army group in a contest of abilities. At the end, there is an alien visitation on the outpost. They manage to diffuse the conflict, and Phule gets rich through some business negotiations with them. It all seems very similar to a typical rags to riches sitcom.