<p>Hard Times illustrated Charles Dickens - Hard Times: For These Times (commonly known as Hard Times) is the tenth novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. The book surveys English society and satirises the social and economic conditions of the era.<br><br>"Now, what I want is, Facts. . . .<br>Facts alone are wanted in life."<br><br>Thus begins Superintendent Mr. Gradgrind?a wealthy, retired merchant?addressing a group of young student...