The Business, as Usual
This novel explores the intersection of capitalism and morality through a narrative that follows a group of corporate executives who are forced to confront the consequences of their actions when one of their own is accused of embezzlement. The story delves into themes of greed, power, and the corrupting influence of wealth, raising questions about the nature of business ethics and personal responsibility.
By Jack Sharkey · First published 1947 · Genre: Satire, Science Fiction, Political Fiction · 3,541 words
First lines
Giving Certain Powers the business for a change would be a joy -- but it must not backfire -- and here at last was the perfect recoilless diddle!
In 1962, the United States Air Force found itself possessed of a formidable tool of battle, a radar resistant airplane. While this was the occasion for much rejoicing among the Defense Department members who were cleared for Top Secret, this national-defense solution merely posed a greater problem: What should we do with it?
What this Textopian page supports
The Business, as Usual is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jack Sharkey, dated 1947 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Jack Sharkey
- Date: 1947 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Science Fiction, Political Fiction, Comedy, Thriller
- Length: 3,541 words
- Structure: 1 section, 118 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Business, as Usual by Jack Sharkey
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Business, as Usual?
- How does this novel by Jack Sharkey fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique political and military strategies, particularly the absurdity of Cold War tactics.
- Science Fiction — The story features advanced technology, such as a radar-resistant airplane, and speculative elements that are central to the plot.
- Political Fiction — The plot revolves around political maneuvers and international relations during the Cold War era, focusing on the interactions between the United States and Russia.
- Comedy — The use of a teddy bear as a secret agent and the resulting diplomatic confusion provide comedic elements throughout the story.
Tags
Business · Management · Strategy · Leadership · Corporate · Culture · Change · Innovation · Competition · Market · Economy · Globalization