Founders Keepers

Written aagainst a technical background, the book tells a story of lust, power-seeking and greed. It is 1947 and the country is recovering from the effects of WW2. Because of his eldest son's belligerent attitude, ailing Charlie Artinstall has decided to break with tradition and leave the ancestral foundry to his younger son, Steven. It sets the two brothers apart and when George finds Steven in bed with his wife, the shock brings on the death of their father and George takes advantage and gains control of the foundry. Full of remorse Steven flees to India, but is subsequently framed for robbery and is forced to return. Dejected and depressed, he has a succession of jobs, but is finally reduced to living rough. He is rescued and employed by Mary, the daughter of Josh Cavendish, a grieving and compassionate owner of a struggling foundry, who sees Steven as a surrogate for his dead son. Steven's fortunes change. He makes a success of the business, marries Mary, and eventually becomes owner of the foundry. George, who has srtuggled to control his workforce, discovers Steven's success and motivated by jealousy and revenge, resorts to acts of sabotage. Driven insane by impending bankruptcy, loss of the ancestral business and injury at the hand of the union convener, he has one final act of desperation to commit......