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Myths of Babylonia and Assyria - The Original Classic Edition

This book contains the history and commentaries necessary to understand the evolution of the Judaic/Christian religion. It also has keys to understanding metaphysics of the ancients that are relative to the modern world. In other words, it contains information that is hard to find – a rare book indeed – and, in general, a great book for historians. This is a great book published in 1915 and written so well that it could have been written today. Mackenzie does a great job in synthesizing creation stories from some of the most ancient cultures and connects the dots for the reader. As a student of history and anthropology, I find Mackenzies take on the subject as fundamental to the study of history and religion…a great book! Enjoy this classic work. These few paragraphs distill the contents and give you a quick look inside: What is generally called the Dawn of History is really the beginning of a later age of progress; it is necessary to account for the degree of civilization attained at the earliest period of which we have knowledge by postulating a remoter age of culture of much longer duration than that which separates the Dawn from the age in which we now live. …Rassam was engaged to continue Smiths great work, and between 1877 and 1882 made many notable discoveries in Assyria and Babylonia, including the bronze doors of a Shalmaneser temple, the sun temple at Sippar; the palace of the Biblical Nebuchadrezzar, which was famous for its hanging gardens; a cylinder of Nabonidus, King of Babylon; and about fifty thousand tablets. …In Chapter I the reader is introduced to the ethnological problem, and it is shown that the results of modern research tend to establish a remote racial connection between the Sumerians of Babylonia, the prehistoric Egyptians, and the Neolithic (Late Stone Age) inhabitants of Europe, as well as the southern Persians and the Aryans of India. …The writer has drawn upon that great storehouse of ancient legends, the voluminous Indian epic, the Mahabharata, and it is shown that there are undoubted links between the Garuda eagle myths and those of the Sumerian Zu bird and the Etana eagle, while similar stories remain attached to the memories of Sargon of Akkad and the Indian hero Karna, and of Semiramis (who was Queen Sammu-ramat of Assyria) and Shakuntala. …Herodotus said that Egypt was the gift of the Nile: similarly Babylonia may be regarded as the gift of the Tigris and Euphrates–those great shifting and flooding rivers which for long ages had been carrying down from the Armenian Highlands vast quantities of mud to thrust back the waters of the Persian Gulf and form a country capable of being utilized for human habitation.

Othello - The Original Classic Edition

Shakespeare William

Othello was one of the first plays I was exposed to when I was younger. It has murder, suicide, intrigue and things that would get a teenager into Shakespeare. This is an exceptional version. Its formatted nicely and is easy to read. Iago is one of my favorite of Shakespeares characters. Hes the villain that uses his deep understanding of human nature to engineer the downfall of his enemies, leading them tenderly by the nose[paraphrased]. Without lifting a finger himself, he brings about the deaths of a bunch of people, and is a complicated person because you admire him for his cleverness but you pity him for his unhappiness. I ended up feeling contemptuous of the other characters who are virtuous but too easily manipulated. From the beginning of the play you sense that everyone is doomed, and watching this car wreck happen in slow motion is a good read. Thus far, Othellos my favorite free Shakespeare play. I missed how much of a jerk Iago was, and all the deception that lead to Othello killing Desdemona. Really, if you enjoy Shakespeares plays, then youll enjoy Othello.

The Sea-Wolf - The Original Classic Edition

London Jack

Its the tale of a rather bookish gentleman who is virtually press-ganged to work on a sailing ship. Through vicious hardship he is faced with the choice of survival (and in the process compromising his morality) or almost certain death. The main villain, if you will, is the Captain of the ship, whos physical strength and presence is overwhelming. When I first dipped into THE SEA WOLF, I was struck by its similarity to CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS. Humphrey van Weydons ferry-steamer, The Martinez, is rammed by another ship in San Francisco Bay in a heavy fog. Van Weydon is rescued by Wolf Larsen, captain of the seal-hunter, The Ghost. Larsen refuses to take Van Weydon ashore, laughing at his offer of money. Once again, I am reminded of another famous book, MOBY DICK, and Larsen is Captain Ahab. Ruthless and single-minded, Larsen decides to make Van Weydon his cabin boy on this four month trip to provide seal pelts for fashionable American women. Van Weydon resists until Larsen catches hold of his arm and squeezes. A man of letters who freely admits never working a day in his life, Van Weydon does everything hes told from that point on, including aiding and abetting the Captain as he mistreats his crew. Early on we learn some of Larsens motivation when he and Van Weydon have a literary discussion. We discover that Larsen is a literary bully. Hes never spent a day in school, but he reads Shakespeare, Robert Browning and John Milton. Londons theme becomes clear and Larsen and van Weydon argue about immortality, van Weydon declaring that man has a soul; Larsen retorting with a Scrooge-like Bah! And suddenly we have the first gleanings of an existentialist novel. If there were no God, how should man behave? Larsen, seeing evil everywhere he looks, decides he will do whatever is best for him personally. The conflict is not precisely good versus evil. Van Weydon is a weakling, a pampered rich man, a coward. There is also much to admire about Wolf Larsen. He outduels seven men during a mutiny. Hes constantly reading, constantly trying to understand. When Van Weydons story arc begins to ascend–he learns seamanship, rebuilds the ship when its masts are destroyed–we cant help but give Larsen a bit of credit. Larsen never took no for an answer, no task was too difficult. Another interesting element in the book is Londons fledgling steps toward womens liberation. Van Weydon falls in love with another castaway, Maud Brewster, and together they overcome storms, isolation on a small seal rookery, and sabotage. Its well worth the read. Get past the first ten pages, and you may find it hard to put down. Great book! This book is excellent, entertaining and fast paced.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood - The Original Classic Edition

Pyle Howard

Who hasnt heard of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest? In this book you meet them all – including the powerful Little John, courageous Will Scarlet, musical Allan a Dale, and sly Friar Tuck. Howard Pyle offers what is probably the most complete and best collection of Robin Hood tales. All the old favorites are included – Little John and his quarter-staff toppling Robin into the water, Robin winning the golden arrow at Nottinghams archery contest, and the Sheriff being outsmarted in numerous attempts to capture Robin. But these are just the tip of the iceberg – this book is chock-full of entertaining merry adventures. The medieval setting is portrayed beautifully, including the vast gulf between the upper and lower classes of society, the corruption and greed of the nobility, and the hypocrisy of the medieval Roman Catholic church where religion has degenerated to mere outward rituals. Even the language is somewhat antiquated, which initially seems tedious, but persevere because you will soon find that this an enjoyable and essential addition that heightens the heroic atmosphere of the story. But the medieval setting is not presented without a social commentary – Pyle shows that the unbalanced social structure inevitably resulted in the oppression of the poor and weak. It is left to Robin Hood and his men to take justice into their own hands, and fight nobly for the cause of the downtrodden. Such justice is accomplished in a questionable manner, because the notion of robbing the rich to help the poor implicitly endorses civil disobedience. But the more important theme of seeking justice and maintaining truth and right is in itself a noble one. With Robin Hood, we find ourselves wanting justice, and being prepared to make unselfish sacrifices in order to achieve it. When justice is done, it is actually the greed and corruption of the nobility that has led to its own destruction and ruin. But the real attraction of this gem are the enthralling exploits of Robin Hood and his band of merry men. Howard Pyle presents Sherwood Forest as a rather glamorous utopian world where feasting and song abound, where it is never winter, and where the ale rarely runs dry. Robin Hood clearly represents a form of hedonism, and in his company there is never a lack of action, adventure, or for that matter – ale. But its not the beer that attracts us to Robin Hood, its rather his bravado. There is no end to the accomplishments of muscles and mind, as he and his merry band outwit all comers by sheer physical skill in archery, wrestling, swordmanship, and quarter-staff combat, or by outsmarting them with deceit and disguise. To our delight, Robins brawn and brains always come out on top at the end. Howard Pyles collection of Robin Hoods merry adventures is a classic that is constantly entertaining and exciting – one that youll want to own and read over and over!

The First Men in the Moon - The Original Classic Edition

Wells H

The First Men in the Moon, one of H.G.s enduring classics, is a must read for all fans of classic sci-fi. Its a quick read so it makes a good travel book.It is an excellent starter story for younger readers, whereas War of the Worlds might be a little scary.
You will find that the book is quite good in its own right and makes for an engaging and gripping read. Even though the Moon does not hold the same fascination in our mind as to this day Mars does, and many of the scientific ideas presented in the book nowadays seem downright silly, the narrative is still very compelling and makes for a fascinating read. H. G. Wells is very good at developing an action-packed plot, and if we can somehow suspend over hundred years of new knowledge, the events and premises in the novel become very plausible. Another fascinating aspect of Wells novels is the use of Sci-fi genre as a tool of social and political critique, and the last part of this book has a good dose of it as well. This book still entertains and provokes thought after all this time has passed. I would strongly recommend it to all the classic Sci-fi fans out there. Born in Victorian England, H.G. Wells had very strong ideas about the advantages and disadvantages of a society built on fixed social classes and endless imperialism–and these ideas would inform virtually everything he wrote over his long and distinguished career. Even in the handful of science fiction novels for which he is chiefly recalled today, Wells would return to these issues again, combining them with then-emerging scientific concepts to remarkably provocative effect. In some respects THE FIRST MEN ON THE MOON is likely his most accessible novel to modern readers, for it is lighter in tone than such Wells novels as THE TIME MACHINE and THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, and it reads like an exceptionally well-written pulp adventure of the era. But the underpinnings are the same: class, conquest, and–as in THE WAR OF THE WORLDS–Darwins controversial theories on natural selection and evolution. In this novel Wells relies significantly on fantasy, presenting us with Professor Cavor, an eccentric (and quite comical) scientist determined to create a substance that is opaque to gravity, what we would today call an antigravity material. Cavor is interested in the work for the sake of knowledge pure and simple, but bankrupt businessman Bedford realizes the commercial implications and attaches himself to the project–and when the material is perfected the two men create a sphere that launches them to the moon! If this is clearly the stuff of fantasy (Jules Verne sneered at it), what the two men find on the moon is not, or at least was not considered so at the time. In 1901 little was known about the moon, and many notable scientists thought it might hold life. Upon their arrival, Cavor and Bedford find an atmosphere of sorts, a host of strange plants, and ultimately an insect-like race of beings that reside inside the moon itself, beings who practice forced evolution upon their own kind in order to create a rigid, hive-like social structure. THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON is a remarkably lively novel, a fast-paced quick read that will appeal greatly to most readers as it balances its philosphical questions with great chunks of pulse-pounding adventure. And even though we know that Wells was off the mark re lunar atmosphere, flora, and fauna, it is easy to suspend our disbelief to enjoy the ride. Recommended.

Standard Selections: A Collection And Adaptation Of Superior Productions From Best Authors For Use In Class Room And On The Platform - The Original Classic Edition

Fulton Robert

The purpose of the compilers of this volume is:? First, to provide some new material in poetry and eloquence that has never before appeared in books of this character, in addition to many standard selections familiar to the general public; Second, to furnish selections that will stand the test of literary criticism and at the same time prove to be popular and successful for public entertainment; Third, to offer for the use of classes in public speaking such carefully selected literature of varied scope as will be helpful and stimulating in the practice of reading aloud and profitable in acquiring power of vocal interpretation; Fourth, to stimulate interest in the works of the authors from whom we have chosen and in the speeches or books from which extracts have been taken; Fifth, to present as models for students in public speaking notable specimens of eloquence, among which are masterpieces of the seven great orators of the world and from the six great triumphs in the history of American oratory; Sixth, to provide carefully chosen scenes from a few standard, modern dramas for class-room and platform use. In these scenes the attempt has been made to preserve the spirit and unity of the plays, to shorten them to practical length, and to adapt them to the demands of the public audience. To avoid reprinting material which is already universally accessible, we have inserted no scenes from Shakespeare; but the reader is referred to [Pg iv]Fulton and Truebloods Choice Readings (published by Ginn and Company), which contains copious Indexes to choice scenes from Shakespeare, the Bible, and hymn-books. The two volumes include a wide field of literature best suited for public speaking. The selections throughout the book are arranged under six different classes and cover a wide range of thought and emotion. While many shades of feeling may be found in the same selection, it has been our aim to place each one under the division with which, as a whole, it is most closely allied. We are grateful to the many authors and publishers who have courteously permitted us to use their publications. Instead of naming them in the preface we have chosen to make due acknowledgment in a footnote wherever their selections appear in the volume.

Legends, Tales and Poems - The Original Classic Edition

Becquer Gustavo

Gustavo Adolfo Domínguez Bastida, better known as Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, (February 17, 1836, Seville – December 22, 1870) was a Spanish post-romanticist writer of poetry and short stories, now considered one of the most important figures in Spanish literature. He adopted the alias of Bécquer as his brother Valeriano Bécquer, a painter, had done earlier. He was associated with the post-romanticism movement and wrote while realism was enjoying success in Spain. He was moderately well known during his life, but it was after his death that most of his works were published. His best known works are the Rhymes and the Legends, usually published together as Rimas y leyendas. These poems and tales are essential to the study of Spanish literature and common reading for high-school students in Spanish-speaking countries. His work approached the traditional poetry and themes in a modern way, and he is considered the founder of modern Spanish lyricism. Bécquers influence on 20th century poets of the Spanish language can be felt in the works of Octavio Paz and Giannina Braschi. The Legends are a variety of romantic tales. As the name implies, most have a legendary tone. Some depict supernatural and semi-religious (Christian) events, like The mount of the souls, The green eyes, The rose of the Passion (a blood libel) with references to the Holy Child of La Guardia and The miserere (a religious song). Others cover more or less normal events from a romantic view, like The moonlight ray and Three dates. This is a high quality book of the original classic edition. This is a freshly published edition of this culturally important work, which is now, at last, again available to you. Enjoy this classic work. These few paragraphs distill the contents and give you a quick look inside: …When I was a boy of fourteen or fifteen, and my soul was overflowing with numberless longings, with pure thoughts and with that infinite hope that is the most precious jewel of youth, when I deemed myself a poet, when my imagination was full of those pleasing tales of the classic world, and Rioja in his silvas to the flowers, Herrera in his tender elegies, and all my Seville singers, the Penates of my special literature, spoke to me continually of the majestic Bétis, the river of nymphs, naiads, and poets, which, crowned with belfries and laurels, flows to the sea from a crystal amphora, how often, absorbed in the contemplation of my childish dreams, I would go and sit upon its bank, and there, where the poplars protected me with their shadow, would give rein to my fancies, and conjure up one of those impossible dreams in which the very skeleton of death appeared before my eyes in splendid, fascinating garb! … I used to dream that the city that saw my birth would one day swell with pride at my name, adding it to the brilliant list of her illustrious sons, and, when death should put an end to my existence, that they would lay me down to dream the golden dream of immortality on the banks of the Bétis, whose praises I should have sung in splendid odes, and in that very spot where I used to go so often to hear the sweet murmur of its waves. …Here he encountered an indifference that he had not dreamed of; and here he remained in the shadow of oblivion, eking out a miserable existence of physical as well as mental suffering, in utter loneliness of spirit, until he was joined in 1856 by one who came to be his lifelong friend and first biographer?Ramón Rodriguez Correa, who had come to the capital with the same aims as Becquer, and whose robust health and jovial temperament appealed singularly to the sad and ailing dreamer.

Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: The Guide to Building Outdoor Shelters - The Original Classic Edition

Beard Daniel

My 13-year-old boy scout asked for this book. After reading bits and pieces for a week or so, he enlisted his brother and some neighborhood boys to go build some shelters in the woods down the street. They kept talking about the shelter and I figured it was typical exaggeration. A few of us adults walked down one day to see the shelter – WOW! It was impressive – and it stood up to the recent ice storms that left people without power for weeks. All built with branches and saplings in the woods. The book inspired them. Dense, informative and readable: It is hard to believe that a book published almost 100 years ago is still very relevant and practically useful today. It is very very dense yet still very readable. It offers much more information than I originally anticipated. I am amazed by what shelters can be built with some simple tools. The author, one of the founders of Boy Scouts of America, actually lived in a log house built by himself. I suspect most of the content is from the authors own experience in building various kinds of architecture from simple shelters to fairly sophisticated houses. Modern lightweight tents may be the primary temporary outdoor shelters nowadays, but wood shelters are still loved by hikers, campers. This book is invaluable for educating kids to gain some basic carpentry and outdoor knowledge, nurture their sense of independence and responsibility and offer them the tremendous joy of staying in what built by themselves.

The Book of Mormon - The Original Classic Edition

Smith Fletcher Joseph

Seminal Book for American Religious Scene: This original version of the Book of Mormon ought to be of interest to anyone who studies religion in general and/or American religions in particular. Certainly any serious student of the Book of Mormon would want a copy of the original. There are neither faith-shaking changes for the LDS since this edition, nor is it the same as the Book of Mormon published today in flavor and style. Prior to Orson Pratts versification of the text and later modifications and tidying up, the New England roots of the author/translator come through clearly. One must be amazed, if Joseph Smith is a prophet, at the labor he performed under less-than-optimal conditions in his father-in-laws cottage. One must also be amazed, if he was not a prophet, at the complexity of the stories contained in this fascinating work. This is where it all started. 11+ million people at least nominally believe that this book is Sacred Scripture today. Its worth getting to know. Get a copy for your personal library.

Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth - The Original Classic Edition

Bradley A