Richard Harding Davis

The lion and the unicorn presents a lively and emotional portrait of personal ambition and romantic possibility within a bustling city shaped by social change and the tension of upcoming conflict. The story opens inside a modest flower shop marked by traditional heraldry, a symbol of identity and pride. Everyday interactions in this space reveal glimpses of hope, dreams, and uncertainty as individuals prepare for journeys that could alter their lives. A traveler heading toward war embodies duty and sacrifice, while a visitor from across the ocean seeks success in the creative world, convinced that a new city can reshape destiny. Relationships form quickly, fueled by curiosity, admiration, and a longing for connection. The narrative shifts between moments of light social banter and deeper reflections on ambition as characters navigate expectations, rivalry, and emotional vulnerability. Love appears intertwined with opportunity, suggesting that affection and success can both inspire and unsettle. The lion and the unicorn ultimately explores how personal aspirations collide with unpredictable circumstances, showing that the pursuit of purpose and belonging often leads individuals to confront hidden fears and surprising truths.

Celebrating a decade of Columbia Global Reports, the Forerunners series revives groundbreaking works of investigative journalism and incisive analysis published a century before CGR’s founding. These texts, once forgotten or underexplored, reflect CGR’s core mission: fearless reporting, global perspective, and intellectual rigor. Each selection remains strikingly relevant today, offering historical insights that challenge contemporary perspectives and reaffirm the power of journalism to shape the world. A pioneering foreign war correspondent, Richard Harding Davis provides a vivid account of Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain, capturing the harsh realities of guerrilla warfare and the suffering of civilians. First published in 1897, Cuba in War Time offers readers an unfiltered look at the brutal conditions faced by both fighters and the people caught in the conflict. With an introduction by Peter Maass, who reported on war and national security for New York Times Magazine, the New Yorker, and the Washington Post.