Maksim Gorky was a master of realistic fiction, and in this collection of short stories, he explores the lives of working-class Russians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From the grim realities of the factory floor to the bleakness of rural poverty, Gorky's stories offer a vivid portrayal of life in this turbulent period of Russian history. Whether you are a fan of Russian literature or simply interested in stories of the human experience, this book is not to be missed.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.