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Originally published in Russian in 1840 Lermontov's «A Hero of Our Time» greatly influenced the later works of other great Russian authors such as Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy. «A Hero of Our Time» is a pioneering work in the genre of the anti-hero novel. The novel's narrative is the story of Pechorin a young nihilistic officer in the army who's story is told in five non-chronological parts.
The Roman History (Volume I: The Foreign Wars)
A Roman historian of Greek descent, Appian was born in Alexandria (c. 95), received a formal education and later moved to Rome to serve as a barrister (c. 120). He was eventually presented with the title of procurator under Antoninus Pius, which allowed him to spend time on his «Historia Romana». The collection totaled 24 books written in Greek dialect, of which, unfortunately, only about half have survived, either complete or in large fragments. Beginning with Appian's own preface, the work chronicles nine centuries of Roman history, including the Spanish, Hannibalic, Punic, Illyrian, Syrian, and Mithridatic wars, and most significantly in the second volume, the Civil Wars. Although Appian's contributions were based on his limited knowledge of Republic institutions, he spent considerable time compiling, organizing and reducing material from such Greek and Latin authors such as Hieronymus of Cardia, Polybius, Gaius Asinius Pollio, Caesar, and Augustus. «The Roman History» is today an invaluable record of military history. Here in this edition we have the first of two volumes in which Appian's history of Rome's foreign wars are detailed.
Widowers' Houses
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) is revered as one of the great British dramatists, credited not only with memorable works, but the revival of the then-suffering English theatre. Shaw was born in Dublin, Ireland, left mostly to his own devices after his mother ran off to London to pursue a musical career. He educated himself for the most part, and eventually worked for a real estate agent. This experience founded in him a concern for social injustices, seeing poverty and general unfairness afoot, and would go on to address this in many of his works. In 1876, Shaw joined his mother in London where he would finally attain literary success. First performed in 1892, «Widower's Houses» was the first of Shaw's plays to see the stage. This play was included in a collection of plays called «Plays Unpleasant», named so because Shaw's intention in writing them was not to entertain, but to raise awareness in certain areas of social concern. The source of social concern here in this play is the income derived from slum housing and the play focuses on the rift it forms between the two main characters, Henry Trench who has a moral problem with the way the father of his wife earns his money and his wife, Blanch who has no problem taking money from her father.
Ethan Frome and Selected Stories
Edith Wharton was born in 1862 into an aristocratic New York family. Educated by the best governesses and tutors, Wharton profited from an exceptional education. She began her writing career with short stories before moving to novels. Collected in «Ethan Frome and Selected Stories,» are the best of both. In her 1911 novel «Ethan Frome» a young engineer on assignment in a small New England town becomes fascinated by the deformed and troubled local Ethan Frome. This fascination leads him on a quest to unravel Frome's unique history while discovering a great deal about the society around him. In the short story «Afterward,» a dirty business transaction comes back to haunt one family in this dynamic ghost story. The humorous short story «Xingu» follows a group of posh pseudo-intellectuals who host literary luncheons when one day one of their favorite authors pays a visit. Also included are «The Pretext» and «The Legend.» Edith Wharton may be most recognized for her novels but it is in her short stories that her panache, spirit, and intellect come shining through with unavoidable delight.
Two Treatises of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration
John Locke's «Two Treatises of Government» are considered to be some of the most important works of western philosophy ever written. In the first treatise Locke disputes the divine right of monarchial rule principle that is put forth in the book «Patriarcha» by Sir Robert Filmer. In the second treatise Locke sets forth the basic principles of natural law that lay the foundation for basic human rights and the government of man. Also contained within this volume is the shorter work, «A Letter Concerning Toleration.»
The Misanthrope
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known by his stage name of Moliere, stands without a rival at the head of French comedy. Born at Paris in January, 1622, where his father held a position in the royal household, he was educated at the Jesuit College de Clermont, and for some time studied law, which he soon abandoned for the stage. His life was spent in Paris and in the provinces, acting, directing performances, managing theaters, and writing plays. He had his share of applause from the king and from the public; but the satire in his comedies made him many enemies, and he was the object of the most venomous attacks and the most impossible slanders. Nor did he find much solace at home; for he married unfortunately, and the unhappiness that followed increased the bitterness that public hostility had brought into his life. «The Misanthrope,» considered to be one of Moliere's greatest works, is a truly original and sophisticated dramatic comedy.
The Kalevala
"The Kalevala" is a collection of Finnish and Karelian poetry, compiled by Elias Lönnrot from oral folklore and mythology. Lönnrot was a physician, botanist and linguist, who in 1828 began collecting folk songs and poetry of Finland, travelling extensively in order to obtain his sources. «The Kalevala», first published in 1835, is considered to be one of the most important works of Finnish literature, and regarded as the national epic of Finland. The most commonly read version was published in 1849, and is comprised of 22,795 verses. It begins, like most cultural mythologies, with traditional creation stories that delve into the creation of the earth, flora and fauna, accompanied by characters who serve to narrate the tales. Other stories include themes of magic, romance, lust and seduction, as well as human vulnerability or mortality. The most significant element of the whole work is The Sampo, a magical talisman that brings good fortune to its holder.
The Princess and Curdie
"The Princess and Curdie" is George MacDonald's 1883 sequel to «The Princess and the Goblin» in which we find Princess Irene and Curdie a year or two older. In this fantastical adventure Princess Irene and Curdie must overthrow a set of corrupt ministers who are poisoning Irene's father, the king. When Curdie meets Irene's mysterious Grandmother he is sent off on a quest with a strange dog-like creature named Lina, who was once human, to help save Irene's father. A classic tale of fantasy, «The Princess and Curdie» is one of George MacDonald's most perfect children's tales.
Old Goriot (Pere Goriot)
Considered to be one of Balzac’s most important works, «Old Goriot», or «Père Goriot», is the story of its title character Goriot; a mysterious criminal-in-hiding named Vautrin; and a naive law student named Eugène de Rastignac. We are introduced to the characters at Maison Vauquer, a boarding house owned by the widow Madame Vauquer. Central to the theme of the book is the struggle to achieve upper-class status in society. Rastignac is eager to achieve this upper-class standing but is unfamiliar to the ways of Parisian society. Vautrin tries to convince Rastignac to pursue an unmarried woman named Victorine, a dubious suggestion which involves the disposal of her brother who blocks the woman’s fortune. The failings to achieve this upper-class status are exemplified by Goriot who has bankrupted himself to support his two well-married daughters, yet they reject him. A classic and tragic story, «Old Goriot» is one of the most pivotal works in Balzac’s sweeping novel sequence «La Comédie Humaine», which endeavors to depict the effects of society on the entirety of the human condition.
The Merchant of Venice
"The Merchant of Venice" is the story of Antonio, the drama's title character, and his friend Bassanio. Bassanio is in need of money so that he may woo Portia, a wealthy heiress. Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan and Antonio agrees to this loan, however all his money is tied up in shipping ventures. Together the two go to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to request a loan for Bassanio to be guaranteed against Antonio's shipping ventures. Shylock agrees to the loan at no interest in the condition that if the debt is not repaid Shylock may collect a pound of Antonio's flesh. At the same time Portia, who is being wooed by various suitors, is upset over a curious stipulation in her father's will regarding the man that she may marry.