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“The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself” is the autobiographical account of Saint Teresa of Avila, a prominent 16th century Spanish mystic, Carmelite nun, theologian, and writer of the Counter Reformation. Saint Teresa of Avila was born in 1515 in Avila, Spain to a wealthy and prominent family. After the death of her mother when she was 11, she went to live with the Augustinian nuns and devoted the rest of her life to the church until her death in 1582. Believed to have been written prior to 1567 at the direction of her confessor, Father Pedro Ibanez, Saint Teresa’s autobiography has a didactic tone, similar to many of her other writings. Her autobiography is intended to be instructional and to show the reader how to live a more devout Christian life in the manner put forth by the Catholic Church. A classic work of Christian mysticism “The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself” is a must read for anyone seeking a more contemplative life and a closer and more spiritual connection with God through prayer and religious devotion. This edition follows the translation of David Lewis.
McTeague
First published in 1899, this graphic depiction of urban American life centers around its title character, McTeague, a dentist practicing in San Francisco at the turn of the century. While at first content with his life and friendship with an ambitious man named Marcus, McTeague eventually courts and marries Trina, a frugal young woman who wins a large sum of money in a lottery. The greed of the majority of the characters in the novel creates a chain of events that lead to many painful, gruesome deaths. Norris’ work, so strikingly different from that of his contemporaries, is an admirable example of social realism, which provided America with a shocking reflection of its sordid sense of survival. From the opening description of San Francisco to McTeague’s final desperate flight far from his ‘Dental Parlors’, this novel examines human greed in a way that still causes readers to pause and reflect over one hundred years later. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics
In 1781, Immanuel Kant published his first and most famous work, the “Critique of Pure Reason”. To the German philosopher’s dismay, the work was at first poorly received and largely misunderstood by his readers. As a result, two years later Kant produced his “Prolegomena to any Future Metaphysics that will be Able to Present Itself as a Science” to serve as an introduction to the “Critique”. He restated the main ideas of his philosophy in what Schopenhauer, in 1819, declared was “the finest and most comprehensible of Kant’s principal works, which is far too little read, for it immensely facilitates the study of his philosophy.” Immanuel Kant is considered to be one of the most important and influential figures in Western philosophy for his work in the areas of metaphysics, anthropology, theoretical physics, logic, and moral philosophy. Remarkably, Kant never left the town of Königsberg, Germany, where he had been born, received schooling, and served as lecturer at the University for many years. Presented here is the translation of Paul Carus. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
The Best Short Stories of Fyodor Dostoyevsky
After a brief military career, the illustrious Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky quickly turned to writing as a profession with the publication of his first novel, “Poor Folk” in 1846. This novel sparked a literary career that would eventually cement Dostoyevsky’s reputation as one of the greatest novelists of the nineteenth century. Early participation in a literary political group landed the writer in exile in Siberia for nearly a decade, an experience which had a profound influence on Dostoyevsky’s understanding of fate, the suffering of human beings, and resulted in a powerful religious conversion experience. Dostoyevsky’s works are marked by his penetrating exploration of psychology and morality and today he is considered one of the most important “existentialist” writers. This representative collection of Dostoyevsky’s short stories spans his impressive career and includes such classics as “White Nights”, a heartbreaking tale of loss; the famous “Notes from the Underground”, an important work of guilt and cynicism; and “The Honest Thief”, which centers on a sad criminal who cannot resist committing crimes. Also included in the this collection are “A Christmas Tree and a Wedding”, “The Peasant Marey”, “A Faint Heart”, and “The Dream of a Ridiculous Man”. This edition follows the translations of Constance Garnett and includes a biographical afterword.
The Book of the Courtier
First published in 1528 and written over several years by Baldesar Castiglione, count of Novilara, “The Book of the Courtier” is one of the most important and definitive accounts of Italian Renaissance court life. Organized as a series of fictional conversations that occur between the courtiers of the Duke of Urbino in 1507, “The Book of the Courtier” is a book of manners and etiquette and discusses the expectations for a perfect courtier. Castiglione had intimate knowledge of these rules and standards as he was a courtier and diplomat himself with many years spent in the Duke of Urbino’s court. The courtier must have a warrior spirit, be athletic, and have good knowledge of the humanities, classics, and fine arts. As the fictional members of the court debate and try to describe the perfect gentleman, as well as the perfect lady, they engage in a discussion of the nature of nobility, humor, and love in the age of the Italian Renaissance. “The Book of the Courtier” was widely read and distributed soon after its publication and remains a significant first-hand account of this fascinating period in history. This edition follows the translation of Leonard E. Opdycke.
The Autobiography of Theodore Roosevelt
Regarded as one of the greatest Presidents of The United States, Theodore Roosevelt led a full and vibrant life that reflected his storied personality and presence. “The Autobiography of Theodore Roosevelt” is an invaluable literary work and a true gift to readers, as it is a glimpse into the psyche of such an enigmatic historical figure. Roosevelt led a life rich in accomplishments not limited to his being the youngest president in United States history. He was a courageous soldier, posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor for his creation and leadership of the Rough Riders in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He was also the first American to win a Nobel Peace prize, which he received for his negotiation of the end of the Russo-Japanese War. In addition, Roosevelt was an adventurer with a taste for hunting and exploring, especially in South America, where a river is named after him. His iconic slogan, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”, is still quoted and embodied by politicians to this very day, exemplifying his indelible impact on the history of the United States. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
The History of the Kings of Britain
Little is definitively known of the life and schooling of Geoffrey of Monmouth, but his extraordinary literary works have survived centuries as a testament to his legacy. Around the time of Geoffrey’s life, the written Arthurian legends were mostly fragmentary and often incoherent. He therefore took on the task of creating the first full biographies of King Arthur and Merlin, which from that point on remained the quintessential source for all Arthurian tales. His finest work, “The History of the Kings of Britain”, traces the reign of nearly a hundred British kings, beginning with the nation’s mythical founder, Brutus. It is an imaginative and meticulously written masterpiece. Modeled after “The Aeneid”, one half of the work is devoted towards the first ten centuries of British history. The second half, comprising about two centuries, focuses primarily around King Arthur, the rise and fall of the Round Table, and the declining fortunes of Arthur’s heirs.
Selected Poems
Scotsman and poet Robert Burns was born in 1796. His family didn’t have much in terms of money, but Burns was still optimistic about life and love. His first poems were songs written to his many lovers, though those were not received well by the mistresses. In 1786, Burns’ first anthology “Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect” was released. It contained some of his best works, such as “The Twa Dogs” and “To a Mouse, On Turning Up Her Nest With The Plow”. Burns then moved around Scotland and even took up a short residence in Jamaica as a bookkeeper on a plantation. After returning to his native land, Burns settled down in Dumfries and devoted himself to his poems and lyrics. In this phase of his life, Burns became highly invested in collecting and preserving many of the local Scottish hymns and tunes. However, he was also famous for taking his own words and singing them with the melody of traditional Scottish songs. This is the case for “Auld Lang Syne” and “A Red, Red Rose.” His poetry and lyrics are still famous to this day, in large part due to his ability to weave seamlessly between emotions. A staunch supporter of republicanism, Burns was a Scottish patriot and believed in equality of all races, classes, and genders. In 2009, he was voted as the most influential and beloved Scot of all time by the people of Scotland. In this volume of “Selected Poems” you will find a representative selection of his poetry that illustrates why he is widely regarded as Scotland’s greatest poet. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
Shirley
“Shirley” is Charlotte Bronte’s second novel and is set against the backdrop of the Luddite uprising against the Yorkshire textile industry in England during the industrial depression that followed the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. First published in 1849, the novel is the story of mill operator Robert Moore, whose business is troubled by the economic climate; his distant cousin Caroline Helstone, for whom Robert has affections; rich heiress and landowner Shirley Keeldar; and Robert’s brother Louis, a poor tutor, whom Shirley has fallen in love with. “Shirley” is a classically romantic tale that deals with the timely themes of industrial unrest in Britain at the beginning of the 19th century and the role of women both at home and in business. The shy and timid Caroline and the independent and headstrong Shirley are both deeply affected by the decisions of the men in their lives and by changing social roles and expectations for women. They both must grapple with whether they are free to marry for love or if money will control yet another aspect of their lives. Bronte’s popular novel is both an insightful social commentary and a mature and touching portrait of women trying to follow their romantic desires in an increasingly complicated world. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
The Complete Poems
A visionary of eighteen-century English society, William Blake produced a vast collection of poetry, mythology, satires, political pieces, and prophetic works, in addition to his famous etchings and engravings. Although largely unknown during his own lifetime and often rejected as a madman for claims of hearing voices and later having visions, Blake has achieved enduring fame for his innovative and extraordinarily imaginative work and is widely viewed as one of the most important of all English artists. Born in London in 1757, Blake received little formal schooling and began his apprenticeship as an engraver in 1772 and later studied painting at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The poetry he wrote throughout his life varies greatly in style and substance, reflecting his literary development and the radical shifts in his religious belief. This complete collection of Blake’s poetry includes his famous “Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience”, which exemplify the author’s fondness for thematic dichotomies in poems like “The Lamb” and “The Tyger”. Also included are “The Four Zoas”, “Milton”, and “Jerusalem”, all of which display an extensive use of symbolism from Christianity and Blake’s theories on reality and knowledge. This collection is an important addition to the library of any scholar, student, or poetry enthusiast.