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Balance Wheel
One Against ArmageddonCharles Whitmann was a lonely man, a widower. Though he loved a woman, every code of honor and decency forbade him to speak of this love. Isolated as Charles was, he was the head of a great industry-and he had Jimmy, the son who meant more to him than life itself.Now, suddenly, Charles Whittmann knew his world was doomed. He had been given a glimpse into the future, into the monstrous greed of corrupt and powerful men who were sweeping civilization toward war. He had to fight this evil alone...Taylor Caldwell's blasting novel on the destructions of war and the doomed lives of innocents, echoes a potent message for today.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1951
About the author
Taylor Caldwell
115 books591 followers Also known by the pen names Marcus Holland and Max Reiner.
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 10, 2012
THE BALANCE WHEEL is dedicated “To Charles Scribner With Admiration and Respect.” This was Charles Scribner III, grandson of the publishing house’s founder, who had been President of the firm since 1932 and would die at 61 the year after this novel was published. It was Caldwell’s thirteenth novel for the firm (actually her fourteenth, counting TIME NO LONGER, published in 1941 under the pseudonym Max Reiner) which had launched her in 1937 with DYNASTY OF DEATH (under the sponsorship of the great editor Maxwell Perkins), and her final book for them. Her next five books would be one-offs for several publishers (including two paperback originals), until she began her successful association with Doubleday with THE SOUND OF THUNDER in 1957, a partnership even longer and more successful than the one with Scribner: it would run to 15 books over a period of 21 years and include bestsellers such as DEAR AND GLORIUS PHYSICIAN, A PROLOGUE TO LOVE, TESTIMONY OF TWO MEN, GREAT LION OF GOD, and CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS. (She finally left Doubleday in the late 1970s for the same reason Stephen King and other authors did: a squabble over royalties).
5/07: The novel begins on the eve of World War I, and explores a theme which fascinated Caldwell, one which she had already addressed in previous novels and would continue to point toward in later novels, especially CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS: the continuing industrialization of America, and the ruthless men behind the scenes who plan wars and profit from them. As is usual with Caldwell, sometimes the melodramatics are a bit heavy-handed, the descriptions overly-detailed, and the emotions surging with all kinds of passions. There’s the usual assortment of Caldwell characters, most of them crafty, avaricious, and untrustworthy. But it is an engrossing tale.
5/09: The novel ends about nine months after the close of the first World War, with characters feeling a sense of optimism that "The 'plotters' hadn’t succeeded after all. Germany was apparently settling down in the slow process of accepting a truly democratic government. She would never tolerate tyranny again....the Russians had had their little taste of freedom, and the Bolsheviks would pass as the Czar had passed. Once give a national a sharp vision of liberty, and she would never be content with anything else again. Bolshevism was a temporary nightmare in medieval Russia."
And the novel's last paragraph:
"But Charles did not hear his brother. He was again watching the children. There would be no terror by night for them, no death by day. They had been ransomed. Life and liberty and peace --- these were theirs. For there would be no more war. AD INFINITUM"
But of course the reader knows differently; the novel was [presumably] written after the Second World War and was published in 1951; as Caldwell herself advises the reader in her Foreward: "As for the national and international events recorded in this book, they are absolutely true. The plot against America, both internally and externally, actually did begin as far back as 1910. It goes on, still. Perhaps it will always go on, for we are the last stronghold of freedom in the world...the mighty blow struck at man’s liberty and dignity resounded in the first World War. The blow succeeded, and we witnessed the rise of Hitler and Stalin. The second World War was an even mightier blow, and it succeeded to an enormous extent. We are witnessing the advance of Communism both in Europe and in America."
5/07: The novel begins on the eve of World War I, and explores a theme which fascinated Caldwell, one which she had already addressed in previous novels and would continue to point toward in later novels, especially CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS: the continuing industrialization of America, and the ruthless men behind the scenes who plan wars and profit from them. As is usual with Caldwell, sometimes the melodramatics are a bit heavy-handed, the descriptions overly-detailed, and the emotions surging with all kinds of passions. There’s the usual assortment of Caldwell characters, most of them crafty, avaricious, and untrustworthy. But it is an engrossing tale.
5/09: The novel ends about nine months after the close of the first World War, with characters feeling a sense of optimism that "The 'plotters' hadn’t succeeded after all. Germany was apparently settling down in the slow process of accepting a truly democratic government. She would never tolerate tyranny again....the Russians had had their little taste of freedom, and the Bolsheviks would pass as the Czar had passed. Once give a national a sharp vision of liberty, and she would never be content with anything else again. Bolshevism was a temporary nightmare in medieval Russia."
And the novel's last paragraph:
"But Charles did not hear his brother. He was again watching the children. There would be no terror by night for them, no death by day. They had been ransomed. Life and liberty and peace --- these were theirs. For there would be no more war. AD INFINITUM"
But of course the reader knows differently; the novel was [presumably] written after the Second World War and was published in 1951; as Caldwell herself advises the reader in her Foreward: "As for the national and international events recorded in this book, they are absolutely true. The plot against America, both internally and externally, actually did begin as far back as 1910. It goes on, still. Perhaps it will always go on, for we are the last stronghold of freedom in the world...the mighty blow struck at man’s liberty and dignity resounded in the first World War. The blow succeeded, and we witnessed the rise of Hitler and Stalin. The second World War was an even mightier blow, and it succeeded to an enormous extent. We are witnessing the advance of Communism both in Europe and in America."
July 12, 2024
I have read Taylor Caldwell since I was young but this was the first time I had read The Balance Wheel. I was thoroughly engaged to the end even though it was 700 pages and it was challenging to track all of the characters. A fascinating though dark read. It is sad that Taylor Caldwell was trying to warn the public with her novels about the military industrial complex as early as 1951, even before President Eisenhower did. It is even sadder that just as her main character Charles surmised would happen, nothing has changed. Independent thinkers will find this book validating. Group thinkers not so much.
May 9, 2025
Taylor Caldwell years later
I remember reading Taylor Caldwell when I was a young teenager. At that time I enjoyed her books, but in my junior year in high school I became more interested in books considered to be more serious literature (sixties stuff). Life and times have moved on and I am so pleased to rediscover her books. I have also been researching the World Wars of the twentieth century. What a fine book this was for me. I will certainty recommend and read more of her books.
I remember reading Taylor Caldwell when I was a young teenager. At that time I enjoyed her books, but in my junior year in high school I became more interested in books considered to be more serious literature (sixties stuff). Life and times have moved on and I am so pleased to rediscover her books. I have also been researching the World Wars of the twentieth century. What a fine book this was for me. I will certainty recommend and read more of her books.
November 9, 2022
A Caldwell winner
Taylor Caldwell has a way of digging deep into her characters and you get a visceral connection to each one and the critical part they play in the story. Couple this with timely historical facts and a few twists added in and you have the makings of a most rewarding reading experience!
Taylor Caldwell has a way of digging deep into her characters and you get a visceral connection to each one and the critical part they play in the story. Couple this with timely historical facts and a few twists added in and you have the makings of a most rewarding reading experience!
December 2, 2023
A ficção histórica de Taylor Caldwell geralmente é mais voltada para os detalhes do período do que para a trama, assim, o Fiel da Balança é uma grata anomalia.
Charles Wittmann é o personagem título que traz a discussão ética em torno do crescimento industrial durante a Primeira Guerra Mundial. Os conflitos entre a família e governo puxam os diálogos e embora exijam um pouco mais de atenção, não desviam o foco do tema.
Interessante para quem quer ler sobre o início do século XX, mas está cansado da Quebra da Bolsa de Valores e relatos de guerra.
Charles Wittmann é o personagem título que traz a discussão ética em torno do crescimento industrial durante a Primeira Guerra Mundial. Os conflitos entre a família e governo puxam os diálogos e embora exijam um pouco mais de atenção, não desviam o foco do tema.
Interessante para quem quer ler sobre o início do século XX, mas está cansado da Quebra da Bolsa de Valores e relatos de guerra.
July 2, 2023
I found this in a “little library” minus its cover and only found out the title by the date at the end of the foreword. (1951) It is very much an American book of its time. The emotions, suspicions and actions of the main character especially really did not ring true. I also suspect that there was more than just the cover missing from this book and thus I have not finished it.
March 1, 2025
"The Balance Wheel" by Taylor Caldwell, is another of her wonderful Historical Novels. Also she brought in characters from another of her novels, "Let Love Come Last", I believe.
Taylor Caldwell is my all-time favorite author.
Taylor Caldwell is my all-time favorite author.
June 6, 2025
Life in the Industrial Age of US.
Four brothers inherited their father’s Machine Shop business. Through toil and tears, anger and love they struggled with each others foibles and quirks. An emotional saga that’s pulls at one’s heart strings.
Four brothers inherited their father’s Machine Shop business. Through toil and tears, anger and love they struggled with each others foibles and quirks. An emotional saga that’s pulls at one’s heart strings.
October 29, 2026
Straight up, The Balance Wheel: A Novel is two books stapled together, and only one of them is good. Caldwell, Taylor nails the first half, then switches gears in a way that feels like a different writer. The second half isn't bad, just not as sharp. Recommend for readers who can live with a split personality, skip if you hate gear changes.
September 5, 2020
A chatty book, not the type I usually like, but this one was good but not rereadable.
April 17, 2021
No one wrote historical fiction like Taylor Caldwell. Somehow I had missed this one. Still very relevant to today.
May 27, 2021
I barely finished it...very dull and totally unbelievable as a period piece of germans...everything is flat and one dimensional
January 11, 2025
your torn out heart
Family hate and love reign regally for the Wittmans through their conflict and bonds. A great and truly historic story.
Family hate and love reign regally for the Wittmans through their conflict and bonds. A great and truly historic story.
May 15, 2025
Still my favorite author after a lifetime of reading many great books.
May 3, 2014
There's hardly anybody like Taylor Caldwell for a well-constructed story, full and balanced characters and good writing.
I used to read many of her books so in a cleaning out I couldn't resist reading this one before it went off to friends.
Charles Whittman is the head of a steel industry in Pennsylvania and he senses the coming of World War I. His battles are with himself, with his brothers and with many who did not believe him. Whittman was a widower with a son and his whole life revolved around keeping his company running and protecting his son, who wished to study medicine.
Caldwell writes beautifully crafted sentences and sets up rich scenes. This was a joy and heart-rending to read.
I used to read many of her books so in a cleaning out I couldn't resist reading this one before it went off to friends.
Charles Whittman is the head of a steel industry in Pennsylvania and he senses the coming of World War I. His battles are with himself, with his brothers and with many who did not believe him. Whittman was a widower with a son and his whole life revolved around keeping his company running and protecting his son, who wished to study medicine.
Caldwell writes beautifully crafted sentences and sets up rich scenes. This was a joy and heart-rending to read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews