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One of the most loved adventure stories of all time, «Treasure Island» is the swashbuckling tale of the search for hidden treasure. When an old sea captain by the name of Billy Bones dies at the inn of Jim Hawkins' parents, Jim and his mother discover a treasure map among his belongings. Jim shows the map to some local acquaintances, Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney and together they plan an expedition to find the treasure. Together they set sail aboard the Hispaniola led by a Captain Smollett in search of Treasure Island.
The Bishop and Other Stories
Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) was a master of the short story. The son of a former serf in southern Russia, he attended Moscow University to study medicine, writing short stories for periodicals in order to support his family. What began as a necessity became a legitimate career in 1886 when he was asked to write in St. Petersburg for the Novoye Vremya (New Times), owned by millionaire magnate Alexey Suvorin. Chekhov began paying more attention to his writing, revising and developing his own principles and conceptions of truth, for a time coming under the influence of Leo Tolstoy. As a result of his widespread popularity, Chekhov amassed a vast collection of short stories displaying an early use of stream-of-consciousness writing, as well as his powerful ideas concerning the individual, the tedium of life, and the beauty nature and humanity. This edition contains «The Bishop,» «The Letter,» «Easter Eve,» «A Nightmare,» «The Murder,» «Uprooted,» and «The Steppe.»
The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi)
Considered one of the most important novels ever written in the Italian language, «The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi)» is Alessandro Manzoni's 1827 historical novel, which details the terribly oppressive rule of the Spanish over Italy in the early 1600s. At the center of the novel is the story of two young lovers, Renzo and Lucia, whose marriage is forbidden by the local baron. Set against all odds Renzo and Lucia's love must struggle against the ravages of war, famine, and the plague. Manzoni's «The Betrothed» is an epic, historical Italian masterpiece.
The Critique of Pure Reason
A pivotal piece of philosophical literature, «The Critique of Pure Reason» is quite likely Immanuel Kant's greatest work. Kant was a professor of philosophy in the German city of Konisberg during the late 1700s. It was during that time that he penned several works based on his philosophical beliefs of which the greatest is often considered to be this work. Considered by many as one of the most important works of philosophy ever written, «The Critique of Pure Reason» puts forth Kant belief that true knowledge comes from a combination of pure reason and experience. Presented here in this volume is the classic translation of J. M. D. Meiklejohn.
Trilby
George du Maurier (1834-1896) was a French-born British cartoonist and most notably, an author. The caricaturist abandoned painting for drawing when he was blinded in one eye. His skilled draftsmanship and engaging personality quickly established his success. Maurier's drawings for English illustrated periodicals such as «Punch», «Once a Week», and «The Leisure Hour» were acute commentaries on the Victorian scene. His highly successful novel, «Trilby» (1894), is perhaps the second best selling novel of it's time after Bram Stoker's «Dracula». The novel is set in the 1850s in an idyllic bohemian Paris. Trilby O'Ferrall, the novel's heroine, is a half-Irish girl working in Paris as an artists' model and laundress. One of the most memorable characters is Svengali, a Jewish rogue, masterful musician, and hypnotist who, by hypnotization, transforms Trilby into a great diva. Under his spell, Trilby becomes a talented singer, performing always in an amnesiac trance. At one performance, she is unable to sing in tune due to Svengali having a heart attack, and ends up the laughing stock of the show.
The Black Tulip
Nearly eighteen months after the 1672 lynching of the Dutch Grand Pensionary in which Johan de Witt and his brother Cornelis are killed, the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands is holding a competition between the country's best gardeners to grow a black tulip. Cornelius van Baerle, a young bourgeois gentleman has almost succeeded at the task, however before he can he is thrown into the Loevestein prison. While there he meets the beautiful young Rosa, a daughter of the prison guard, whom he falls in love with. «The Black Tulip», one of Dumas' shorter works is part brilliant political allegory, part romance, which revisits a fascinating time in Dutch history nearly thirty years after the famous «tulipmania.»
The Turn of the Screw and The Aspern Papers
"The Turn of the Screw and The Aspern Papers" combines two of Henry James' most popular works into one conveniently sized volume. «The Turn of the Screw» is an intense psychological tale of terror. Beginning in an old house on Christmas Eve, it is the story of a Governess who comes to live with and take care of two young children. The Governess loves her new position in charge of the young children, however she is soon disturbed when she begins to see ghosts. In «The Aspern Papers» we have the story of a man who travels to Venice in search of Juliana Bordereau, whom he believes is in possession of some personal letters of the famous and now dead American poet, Jeffrey Aspern. Readers will delight in this classic collection of Henry James' most popular novellas.
The Odyssey (The Samuel Butler Prose Translation)
"The Odyssey" is a classical epic poem about the events following the fall of Troy and the end of the Trojan War which is generally thought to have been written at the end of the 8th century BC. The story centers on Odysseus and his ten year journey to reach his home of Ithaca, following the Trojan War. Odysseus's death is assumed during this long absence, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must deal with a group of suitors, the Proci, who compete for Penelope's hand in marriage. Generally attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, «The Odyssey» is a sequel to «The Iliad» and is considered one of the most important works of classical antiquity. Presented here in this edition is the prose translation of Samuel Butler.
Daisy Miller
"Daisy Miller" is Henry James's classic story of a young American woman who while traveling in Europe is courted by Frederick Winterbourne. Originally published in The Cornhill Magazine in 1878, «Daisy Miller» is a novel that plays upon the contrast between American and European society that is common to James's work. The title character's youthful innocence is sharply contrasted with the sophistication of European society in this fatefully tragic tale.
The Canterbury Tales
Begun as an ambitious project by the versatile English courtier, diplomat, philosopher, and author Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, «The Canterbury Tales» follows a group of people on their pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Saint Thomas á Becket. The Prologue introduces all of the pilgrims in great detail, and through these descriptions Chaucer provides the entire spectrum of social classes and professions of his time. When the group stops at an inn and the innkeeper introduces a competition for a free dinner, the pilgrims begin telling each other stories that reflect their stations, genders, purity, corruption, humor, tragedy, cynicism, and innocence. From the noble Knight and his Squire to the spunky Wife of Bath, from the antagonistic Miller and Reeve to the Prioress, Nun, and Pardoner, Chaucer reveals for modern readers a wonderfully vivid picture of medieval life in an impressive array of literary styles that uphold his reputation as the Father of English Literature.