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Space Viking - The Original Classic Edition
Lord Lucas Trask of Traskon lives on the Sword World of Gram, but is opposed to the Space Viking raids, on which numerous of the most talented Sword Worlders leave and never return. However, when his bride is killed a half-hour after their wedding, Lucas fits out a Space Viking ship and sets out for revenge. Sickened by the waste of the Space Viking life, he finds himself returning to his older convictions: that it is better to build than destroy. But, he finds that there are many who find destroying a simple and easy life, and what is the murderer of his wife up to? This is the story of one mans odyssey across the remains of the old Federation, his life, death and rebirth. <p> As Ive said before, Mr. H. Beam Piper is probably one of the most underrated science-fiction authors ever. Here again, he produced a book with a fascinating milieu, populated by people who act consistently with their culture. I found the book to be quite gripping, proving impossible to put down as it rocketed towards the finale. <p> I highly recommend this book to everyone!
My Antonia - The Original Classic Edition
When Willa Cather was writing My Antonia, she visited her friend, the journalist and war correspondent Elizabeth Sergeant, grabbed an old apothecary jar filled with flowers, set it in the center of an antique table, and explained: I want my new heroine to be like this–like a rare object in the middle of a table, which one may examine from all sides. . . . I want her to stand out–like this–like this–because she is the story. <p> This anecdote (recounted in James Woodresss biography of Cather) sums up almost exactly the technique that makes her novel both unique and unusual. Instead of writing the story from her heroines point of view, or from the point of view of an omniscient narrator, Cather instead creates a bystander, the likeable and somewhat innocent Jim Burden, who has written down a series of memories where his and Antonias lives intersect; My Antonia is a biography through the mask of autobiography. While this is Jims story as much as it is Antonias (she is barely mentioned at all in Book III), we are ultimately studying a much-loved thing of beauty from all sides–from the distance separating it and the observer. <p> Although My Antonia relates a number of exciting, sentimental, horrifying, and even scandalous incidents (none of which will be divulged here), Cather very deliberately chose to write a character novel rather than an action story. Many of the books pivotal events happen offstage; we learn what has happened only when Jim hears about Antonia or runs into her at a gathering or stops by her home. Such a detached approach is a departure from that used by many of the American naturalists (e.g., Dreiser, Lewis) writing during this period, yet her book is surely a model of realism. As Jim writes when he notes his reluctance to visit Antonia when they are both grown, Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again. <p> As with all of Cathers novels, the prairie town of Black Hawk (which, is of course, Cathers hometown of Red Cloud), is populated with a variety of hirelings and homesteaders, dreamers and pretenders, romantics and scoundrels. (Cather seldom sketched a character as downright wicked as the would-be rapist Wick Cutter.) But none of the townsfolk outshine either the affectionate, if platonic, rapport between Jim and Antonia or the unforgettable portrayal of Antonia herself.
Tales of Space and Time - The Original Classic Edition
Tales of Space and Time is a fantasy and science fiction collection of three short stories and two novellas written by the English author H. G. Wells between 1897 and 1898. It was first published by Doubleday & McClure Co. in 1899. All the stories had first been published in various monthly periodicals and this was the first volume to collect these stories. <p> These are the stories contained in this collection showing the periodicals in which they were first published : The Crystal Egg (short story, The New Review, May 1897), The Star (short story, The Graphic, December, 1897), A Story of the Stone Age (novella, The Idler, May-September 1897) comprising:, Ugh-Lomi and Uya, The Cave Bear, The First Horseman, Uya the Lion, The Fight in the Lion's Thicket, A Story of the Days To Come (novella, The Pall Mall Magazine, June-October 1897) comprising:, The Cure for Love, The Vacant Country, The Ways of the City, Underneath, Bindon Intervenes, The Man Who Could Work Miracles (short story, Illustrated London News, July 1898) <p> This is a freshly published edition of this culturally important work, which is now, at last, again available to you. <p> Enjoy this classic work. These few paragraphs distill the contents and give you a quick look inside: <p> It came and went like a flash, but it gave him the impression that the object had for a moment opened to him the view of a wide and spacious and strange country; and, turning it about, he did, just as the light faded, see the same vision again. <p> …Wace, convinced both watchers that, so far as this visionary world was concerned, the crystal into which they peered actually stood at the summit of the endmost mast on the terrace, and that on one occasion at least one of these inhabitants of this other world had looked into Mr. <p> …Caves crystal was in two worlds at once, and that, while it was carried about in one, it remained stationary in the other, which seems altogether absurd; or else that it had some peculiar relation of sympathy with another and exactly similar crystal in this other world, so that what was seen in the interior of the one in this world was, under suitable conditions, visible to an observer in the corresponding crystal in the other world; and vice versa. <p> …Caves first impulse, directly Caves body had been taken upstairs, had been to write to the mad clergyman who had offered five pounds for the crystal, informing him of its recovery; but after a violent hunt in which her daughter joined her, they were convinced of the loss of his address. <p> …Caves to be in some physical, but at present quite inexplicable, way en rapport, and we both believe further that the terrestrial crystal must have been-possibly at some remote date-sent hither from that planet, in order to give the Martians a near view of our affairs.
The New Atlantis - The Original Classic Edition
The New Atlantis is the philosophical and intellectual utopia envisioned by Francis Bacon. Published in 1627, the year after the authors death by his literary executor, speculation is that Bacon wrote his story in 1623 or 1624, which would be after his fall from political power. Unlike many of his other major works, Bacon wrote The New Atlantis in English and then had it translated into Latin, an indication that he intended it for a wider, English-speaking audience. Bacon focuses on the duty of the state toward science, and his projections for state-sponsored research anticipate many advances in medicine and surgery, meteorology, and machinery. Although The New Atlantis is only a part of his plan for an ideal commonwealth, this work does represent Bacons ideological beliefs. The inhabitants of Bensalem represent the ideal qualities of Bacon the statesman: generosity and enlightenment, dignity and splendor, piety and public spirit. <p> In 1623, Bacon expressed his aspirations and ideals in New Atlantis. Released in 1627, this was his creation of an ideal land where generosity and enlightenment, dignity and splendor, piety and public spirit were the commonly held qualities of the inhabitants of Bensalem. The name Bensalem means son of peace, having obvious resemblance with Bethlehem (birthplace of Jesus), and is referred to as Gods bosom, a land unknown, in the last page of the work. <p> In this utopian work, written in literary form, a group of Europeans travel west from Peru by boat. After having suffered with strong winds at sea and fearing for death, they did lift up their hearts and voices to God above,beseeching him of his mercy. After which, these travelers in a distant water finally reached the island of Bensalem, where they found a fair and well governed city, and were received kindly and with all humanity,by a christian and cultured people who had been converted centuries before by a miracle wrought by Saint Bartholomew, a few years after the Ascension of Jesus, by which the scriptures had reached them in a mysterious ark of cedar floating on the sea, guarded by a gigantic pillar of light over which was a cross of light. <p> Many aspects of the society and history of the island are described, such as the christian religion; a cultural feast in honor of the family institution, called the Feast of the Family; a college of sages, the Salomons House, the very eye of the kingdom, to which order God of heaven and earth had vouchsafed the grace to know the works of Creation, and the secrets of them, as well as to discern between divine miracles, works of nature, works of art, and impostures and illusions of all sorts; and a series of instruments, process and methods of scientifical research that were employed in the island by the Salomons House. <p> The work also goes on interpreting the ancient fable of Atlantis, considering the lost island as actually being the American continent, which would have had much greater civilizations in the distant past than the ones at present suggest, but whose greatness and achievements were destroyed and covered by a terrible flood, the present american indians being just descendants of the more primitive people of the ancient civilization of Atlantis who had survived the flood because they lived apart of the civilization, in the mountains and high altitudes. <p> There has been much speculation as to whether a real island society inspired Bacons utopia. Scholars have suggested numerous countries, from Iceland to Japan; Dr. Nick Lambert highlighted the latter in The View Beyond. <p> A city named Bensalem was actually founded in Pennsylvania, USA, in 1682.
Father Goriot - The Original Classic Edition
Getting involved in the works of Balzac is like entering a magnificently equipped library with an insatiable appetite for books. His output was prodigious: novels, short stories, and essays, but it is primarily the HUMAN COMEDY for which he is best known. The complexity that is that book had its origins much earlier in his novel FATHER GORIOT (PERE GORIOT). Balzac liked to move characters back and forth from book to book like chess pieces. In much of his fiction, he places his characters in cities like Paris that are center of dissolution and corruption that test their moral mettle. Most often they fail, but it is in their failures that give his work their distinctive flavor. <p> Father Goriot is an old, sick pensioner who has raised his two daughters improperly such that they now return his earlier parental errors with daughterly ingratitude that elevates him to the status of a wounded Lear. He lives in a boarding house on the third floor, the cheapest floor. He had once been able to avoid the more expensive lower, but as he has given far too much of his dwindling resources to his greedy daughters, he is now facing poverty. <p> This boarding house is a bustling center of activity, with Goriot only one part. A young and money hungry lawyer Eugene de Rastignac lives there too. He is handsome, witty, and definitely willing to bend a few rules to advance in the cesspool that is Parisian society. Eugene becomes the lover to one of Goriots wealthy daughters, hoping that she can open doors to him that might otherwise have been closed. This daughter Delphine is only slightly less mercenary than her sister Anastasie, with whom Delphine is not on speaking terms. A friend of Eugene, Vautrin, who is aware of Eugenes poverty, offers to kill the brother of a woman that Eugene is dating, thus ensuring that in the event of a marriage, Eugene will marry into money. <p> The primary focus of the story is on the disintegrating relation between Goriot and his daughters. They take his money until there is no more. For his part, Goriot remains inexplicably oblivious to their machinations. When he dies, both daughters find reasons not to attend the funeral which only Eugene attends. <p> FATHER GORIOT is a novel of pessimism. It is not an unpleasant read, just an unpleasant topic, yet in Balzacs dramatic portrayal of the origins and consequences of greed and betrayal, it shows the depths to which people may plunge, while an uncaring city does little more than sit back and not take notice.
When the Sleeper Wakes - The Original Classic Edition
H.G. Wells is perhaps one of the greatest modern writers, and his stunning book When The Sleeper Wakes is the embodiment of his incredible prohpetic writing. <p> This is an essential book, if for no other reason than its frighteningly close-to-home predictions of the future. The story follows a modern day Rumplestiltskin, named Graham, after he sleeps a couple of centuries and wakes up to find himself owner of over half of the earth. <p> The story itself is well-crafted, as Wells demonstrates a strong command of the English language. But this book is not merely a good read. The most amazing aspect is that H.G. Wells predicted the widespread use of airtravel over a hundred years ago, along with mega-corporations that dominate a single industry, and roadside billboard advertisements. <p> These are just a few of the remarkable, and accurate, predictions H.G. Wells made. Its hard to believe this book was written in the 1890s. The story is engaging as well, even if your not concerned with the social and political warnings of this tale. Only a few of the characters are extensively, namely Ostrog and Graham. But since its a short story, this doesnt detract from the overall plot. The setting and tone of the story are the most important elements, and these are expertly developed. <p> There is little wrong with this book, it makes for an excellent choice – get it now.
Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals - The Original Classic Edition
Kant is not considered as one of the more accessible philosophers, and most of his monumental works are too long and beyond reach of an average reader. This short book is still fairly advanced and conceptually sophisticated, but fortunately due to its length it does not go much too deep in philosophical concepts. <p> The book deals on several occasions with the central concept in Kants moral philosophy, and that is the concept of categorical imperative. This imperative can be summed up in Kants famous dictum: Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. <p> Several other famous Kant concepts – like practical reason, pure reason, treating humans like ends and not as means in moral considerations, etc. – are dealt with throughout the book. You might need to read the book several times before you get a better understanding of what is being discussed, but again, since it is so short, this can be easily done. <p> The language of the translation sounds a bit archaic to the modern ear, but this does not obscure the meaning at all. Overall, reading this book would be a worthwhile endeavor and as good of a starting point to start reading Kant as they come.
The Beasts of Tarzan - The Original Classic Edition
The Beasts of Tarzan is an excellent adventure story and well worth the read. <p> The Beasts of Tarzan is a novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the third in his series of books about the title character Tarzan. Originally serialized in All-Story Cavalier magazine in 1914, the novel was first published in book form by A. C. McClurg in 1916. <p> Not long after Tarzan claims his hereditary title of Lord Greystoke and marries Jane, their infant son, Jack, is kidnapped in London by his old Russian enemies, Nikolas Rokoff and Alexis Paulvitch. Following an anonymous call about the whereabouts of Jack, Tarzan himself falls into Rokoffs trap and is imprisoned aboard a ship carrying Jack. Jane, fearing Tarzan was entering a trap, follows him and also finds herself in Rokoffs clutches aboard the boat. Rokoff sets sail to Africa, eventually exiling Tarzan on an island near the African coast and telling Tarzan that Jack will be left with a cannibal tribe and raised as one of their own. <p> Using his jungle skill and primal intelligence, Tarzan wins the help of Sheeta, the vicious panther, a tribe of great apes led by the intelligent Akut, and the native warrior Mugambi. With their aid, Tarzan reaches the mainland, kills Rokoff, and tracks down his wife and son. Paulvitch, the other villain, is presumed dead, but manages to escape into the jungle. <p> This is as addictive as previous Tarzans stories. In this one the archenemy of Tarzan finally gets his desserts. You have to read it!
The White Company - The Original Classic Edition
Chivalry may be on life support, but its still breathing in the words of Arthur Conan Doyles The White Company. Although he is well known for his Sherlock Holmes stories, Doyle was most proud of creating the noble knight, Sir Nigel Loring of the White Company. <p> This book is set in the tumultuous days of the 14th century, when the political struggles among England, France and Spain, and the Crusades in the Holy Land, created instablity for peasant and noble alike. There are many heroes in the tale of knights and battles, but young Alleyne Edricson is the main protagonist. Sheltered in an abbey, where the orphaned lad was educated per his noble fathers wishes, Alleyne is unwillingly shoved into the world for a period of a year, where he must decide whether he wishes to make his way there or return to a monastic life. <p> It doesnt take long for Alleyne to meet with adventure. He is shocked to find the world is a rough and tumble place. But his straightforward and naive approach to life helps him out of some scrapes and endears him to some colorful characters who become his bosom companions. Together, they join the service of Sir Nigel, who is an unlikely hero with his bald head, bad eyesight and scrawny stature. That is, until he is able to prove himself in some small feat of arms, which is his favorite pastime. He is always victorious in these exhibitions of his knightly prowess, and he always has a kind word for the vanquished, his noble opponent. His motivation is always to defend the honor of his lovely wife, for whom he cherishes the greatest tenderness, although others wonder if this is due to his poor vision rather than any attractiveness on his ladys part. <p> There are many satisfying battles and cliffhangers in this book. Sir Nigel plunges headlong into any opportunity for a fight. Alleyne becomes his squire and follows him to France, to fight for their Prince, Edward III, who wants to restore the vanquished king of Spain. Alleyne becomes adept at sword fighting and exhibits as much bravery as his lord. He is also motivated by the love of a lady, Sir Nigels lovely daughter, Maude. <p> I read this book aloud to my children, and we shared many moments of laughter as we followed the warriors from England to France. I struggled a bit with the French pronunciation of names and places (how do you pronounce Blois?), but it was a very funny and exciting book, and Im glad we were able to read it together. Doyle was an expert on this time period as his mother read him many chivalric tales as a boy, exciting his interest in medieval times, which continued into his adulthood. The descriptions of weaponry, customs, religious life, clothing, historical events and geography permeate the story without detracting from it. There are numerous stirring and gory events (including pirates, hangings, peasant uprisings and decapitations…yuck), which will have readers on the edge of their seats. <p> There is another book about Sir Nigel, a prequel to The White Company, called Sir Nigel, which we will have to read soon. He has become one of our favorite literary characters.