Tom Swift and his chest of secrets : or, Tracing the stolen inventions

Tom Swift Sr. #28

by Victor Appleton

In "Tom Swift and His Chest of or, Tracing the Stolen Inventions," Victor Appleton crafts an engaging narrative that intertwines adventure, mystery, and the spirit of innovation. This installment in the revered Tom Swift series adopts a prose style that is both accessible and rich with descriptive detail, effectively capturing the reader's imagination while illuminating the era's burgeoning technological landscape. The plot revolves around Tom Swift—a young inventor who embarks on a thrilling quest to recover stolen inventions, showcasing the era's fascination with science and progress against an intricate backdrop implicating betrayal and cunning. Victor Appleton, a pseudonym for several authors who contributed to the Tom Swift series in the early 20th century, drew from a culture of invention and exploration that characterized his time. His background in storytelling reflects a keen understanding of youthful curiosity and the importance of scientific inquiry, likely inspired by contemporary advancements in technology. Appleton's work embodies the optimism of the early 1900s, encouraging young readers to embrace creativity and morality amid challenges. This enthralling read is highly recommended for those who appreciate classic adventure tales grounded in the ethos of discovery and invention. Readers will find themselves swept away by Tom's imaginative journey, perfect for both young adults and nostalgic readers eager to experience the thrills of invention and the complexities of morality.

Genres: Childrens

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1925

About the author

Victor Appleton was a house pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate and its successors, most famous for being associated with the Tom Swift series of books.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_...

The character of Tom Swift was conceived in 1910 by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging company. Stratemeyer invented the series to capitalize on the market for children's science adventure. The Syndicate's authors created the Tom Swift books by first preparing an outline with all the plot elements, followed by drafting and editing the detailed manuscript. The books were published under the house name of Victor Appleton. Edward Stratemeyer and Howard Garis wrote most of the volumes in the original series; Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams, wrote the last three volumes. The first Tom Swift series ended in 1941.
In 1954, Harriet Adams created the Tom Swift, Jr., series, which was published under the name "Victor Appleton II". Most titles were outlined and plotted by Adams. The texts were written by various writers, among them William Dougherty, John Almquist, Richard Sklar, James Duncan Lawrence, Tom Mulvey and Richard McKenna. The Tom Swift, Jr., series ended in 1971.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Swift

Reviews

[Rex Libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was just mailing it in on this one. Tom does not really invent anything, he just talks about things he is inventing. Then he puts the plans in a locked chest. Bad guys steal the locked chest. Tom hunts the bad guys down with his airplane and stops them.

[Steve Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, and varied, adventure

Tom Swift is at his best when he is confronted with novel situations. This story has several such situations, including having to land in a tree surrounded by a forest fire.