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This collection of short ¿mystery¿ stories by Oscar Wilde was originally published in 1891 and was his second published collection of stories. This edition follows the 1907 edition, which was published after his death and added ¿The Portrait of Mr. W. H.,¿ a story first published in 1899.Written around the same time as The Picture of Dorian Gray and before he turned his hand to playwriting, these stories showcase the quintessential Wilde: dark irony combined with an incisive dissection of Victorian society, with just a hint of the supernatural added to amuse and engage his Victorian audience.

La constitution de l'Albanie indépendante était si peu prévue par l'opinion publique que beaucoup d'esprits se demandent si elle n'est pas seulement une de ces inventions diplomatiques, telles qu'il en jaillit parfois dans les conférences internationales, quand on ne sait comment résoudre une difficulté; disons le mot, elle a été une surprise. Aussi chacun se demande: les Albanais sont-ils autre chose qu'un souvenir historique et presque archéologique? Ces hommes, que nous ne connaissons guère que par l'histoire de la conquête turque, subsistent-ils donc encore? Forment-ils une nation? Si celle-ci existe, comment l'ignorait-on? Si elle n'existe pas, qu'est-ce que cet État nouveau? On le délimite; mais, dans ces limites, que va-t-il se passer? Est-ce un foyer d'anarchie que l'on prépare ou que l'on attise? Est-ce un terrain de chasse que l'on borne pour l'Autriche et pour l'Italie? Cet État est à quelques heures de Venise et personne n'y pénètre; on y envoie un prince, mais il ne sait par quel bout commencer son nouveau travail. Que se passe-t-il donc derrière la ligne de ces rivages inhospitaliers et que nous réserve cette nouvelle forme de la question d'Orient? Telles sont assurément quelques-unes des questions que tous se posent et dont chacun parle d'autant mieux qu'il n'y est point allé voir. Dans les pages qui vont suivre, j'ai essayé seulement de donner une image fidèle des régions les plus importantes et les plus populeuses de l'Albanie autonome.

Lord Jim was first published as a serial in Blackwood¿s Magazine between October 1899 and November 1900. The first edition of the complete book was published by William Blackwood and Sons in 1900. The story begins when the young British seaman Jim, one of the crew of the steamer Patna, abandons the ship while it¿s in distress. The resulting censure prevents Jim from finding stable employment, until a captain named Marlow suggests he find his future in Patusan, a small village on a remote island in the South Seas. There he¿s able to earn the respect of the islanders and is dubbed ¿Lord Jim.¿The abandoning of the Patna by its crew is said to have been based on the real-life abandoning of the S.S. Jeddah in 1880. Lord Jim explores issues of colonialism, dreams of heroism, guilt, failure, and redemption. The book is remarkable for its unusual nested narrative structure, in which Captain Marlow and a number of other characters provide multiple perspectives of the protagonist. The gradual build-up of their richly described viewpoints imparts glimpses of Jim¿s inner life, yet ultimately leaves him unknowable.

As an old squire approaches his death, he vacillates over how to leave his substantial property: to the niece he loves, or to the nephew he despises? A will is made in favor of the nephew, following the squire¿s sense of duty. But during the young man¿s visit to the estate, the squire¿s revulsion makes him produce a new will in favor of his niece. After his funeral, the earlier will is found among his papers, but not the later one. Cousin Henry takes his place as the new squire under a cloud, and worse¿as it transpires that, unknown to anyone else, he alone knows where the later will is hidden. Too weak to destroy the will, and too greedy to disclose its existence, he descends into misery as the lawyers close in.Anthony Trollope¿s later fiction is marked by his keen interest in the psychology of his characters, what Michael Sadleir called his ¿novels of the mind.¿ In Cousin Henry, the plot is simple, but the psychological is paramount. The inner life of each of the leading characters is laid bare under Trollope¿s pen: not only the unfortunate Cousin Henry, but equally his proud and imperious rival, Isabel, and the indefatigable lawyer, Mr. Apjohn.

Ambrose Bierce¿s second major short story collection, Can Such Things Be? collected nearly all of Bierce¿s supernatural horror stories.Bierce himself was a skeptic of the supernatural, having once written a satirical essay ¿The Clothing of Ghosts,¿ in which he insisted that ¿The materialized spook appealing to our senses for recognition of his ghostly character must authenticate himself otherwise than by familiar and remembered habiliments. He must be credentialed by nudity¿and that regardless of temperature or who may happen to be present.¿Despite his personal skepticism, Bierce was able to capture the essence of the supernatural horror story. ¿The Moonlit Road¿ is a strong example, providing three distinct vantage points of the same events, and both ¿The Death of Halpin Frayser¿ and ¿The Damned Thing¿ are frequently anthologized as pioneers in the genre. Not all stories in the collection are strictly ¿ghost stories¿¿¿Moxon¿s Master¿ is one of the first examples in English literature to describe a robotic thinking machine (and the fate of its master), and ¿Haïta the Shepherd¿ is a tale of a young man¿s search for meaning in his life. Bierce also plays with the idea of holes in reality in the various ¿Mysterious Disappearances¿ stories, portals to horrifying locations in ¿The Spook House,¿ and parallel dimensions or altered states in ¿A Psychological Shipwreck¿ and ¿The Realm of the Unreal.¿H.P. Lovecraft discusses Bierce in his essay ¿Supernatural Horror in Literature,¿ quoting Samuel Loveman: ¿In Bierce, the evocation of horror becomes for the first time, not so much the prescription or perversion of Poe and Maupassant, but an atmosphere definite and uncannily precise. Words, so simple that one would be prone to ascribe them to the limitations of a literary hack, take on an unholy horror, a new and unguessed transformation.¿Like his other major published collection of short stories, Bierce updated and modified his stories for each new edition. This collection includes all stories as revised and published in his 1910 Collected Works, Volume III: Can Such Things Be?, as well as several stories from the ¿Bodies of the Dead¿ section in an earlier 1903 edition, which were not included in his Collected Works.

Captain Hugh Drummond, D.S.O., M.C., is back from the war, and is bored. Seeking adventure, he places a newspaper advert with services offered in exchange for excitement, and a reply from a woman needing help piques his interest. What follows is a back and forth engagement with a shadowy criminal cabal determined to cause mayhem for the British establishment¿and to profit from it. Luckily for Britain, ¿Bulldog¿ Drummond is up for the fight.Bulldog Drummond was the first book of ten by H. C. McNeile (writing under the pen name of ¿Sapper¿) to deal with the eponymous hero; a series that was later expanded to nineteen novels and many further plays, films and short stories by later authors. The novel was an immediate success, with its combination of gentlemanly daring and high melodrama striking a chord with the public of the time. Drummond¿s appeal to the modern audience has faded: he¿s a character of his time, with views that reflect the British Empire¿s thinking of the 1920s. His influence, however, lives on in later men of adventure, including James Bond and Biggles.

Commentaries on the Gallic War describes the conflicts between Rome and the region of Gaul in western Europe, as well as the Germanic peoples who lived to the east of the river Rhine, and Britain to the north, in the later years of the Roman republic.Despite being written in the 3rd person, the commentaries are the memoirs of Julius Caesar himself, and offer a unique insight into these events.Before the Gallic war began, the Romans had already conquered the region known as Provincia Nostra (literally: ¿our province¿), which is now Languedoc and Provence in the south of France.Julius Caesar had been one of the two consuls elected in the year 59 BC. The consuls held the highest political office in the Roman republic, but their terms only lasted a year. When his consulship came to an end, Caesar retained power through the position of proconsul, governing Provincia Nostra and two other provinces. This provided Caesar with the necessary command to conduct the military campaigns in Gaul.Caesar¿s victories in Gaul had huge repercussions on the future of Rome: the related work, Commentaries on the Civil War, documents the ensuing conflict between Caesar and Pompey that ultimately led to the end of the Roman republic and the beginning of the Roman empire.

Rome has transitioned from a monarchy to a republic. The last king of Rome was dead, and the Senate and rich aristocrats now control Rome. The citizens are starting to riot due to a food shortage. The plebeians blame the patrician Caius Marcius for hoarding grain and fixing prices, but Marcius believes the citizens don¿t deserve grain if they¿ve never served in the military. To calm the plebeians, five tribunes are chosen to represent the common people in legal matters. Soon after, a Volscian army attacks, and Marcius leaves the city to fight.After a successful siege on the city of Corioli and the defeat of the Volscian army, Caius Marcius is rewarded with the name of Caius Marcius Coriolanus. He returns to Rome a hero, beloved by both the Senate and the plebeians. Coriolanus is encouraged to pursue politics and run for consul, a position elected by the people. There are others, like the tribunes Brutus and Sicinius, who still remember Coriolanus¿ disdain for the plebeians and view him as an enemy.This Standard Ebooks edition is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright¿s 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition.

Au balcon d'une maison du boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, en hautes et larges lettres dorées, on lit : Office cosmopolitain des inventeurs ; et sur deux écussons en cuivre appliqués contre la porte qui, au premier étage de cette maison, donne entrée dans les bureaux, cette enseigne se trouve répétée avec l'énumération des affaires que traite l'office : « Obtention et vente de brevets d'invention en France et à l'étranger ; attaque et défense des brevets en tous pays ; recherches d'antériorités ; dessins industriels ; le Cosmopolitain, journal hebdomadaire illustré : M. Chaberton, directeur. »Qu'on tourne le bouton de cette porte, ainsi qu'une inscription invite à le faire, et l'on est dans une vaste pièce partagée par cages grillées, que divise un couloir central conduisant au cabinet du directeur ; un tapis en caoutchouc (B.S.G.D.G.) va d'un bout à l'autre de ce couloir, et par son amincissement il dit, sans qu'il soit besoin d'autres indications, que nombreux sont ceux qui, happés par les engrenages du brevet d'invention, engagés dans ses laminoirs, passent et repassent par ce chemin de douleurs, sans pouvoir s'en échapper, et reviennent là chaque jour jusqu'à ce qu'ils soient hachés, broyés, réduits en pâte et qu'on ait exprimé d'eux, au moyen de traitements perfectionnés, tout ce qui a une valeur quelconque, argent ou idée. Tant qu'il lui reste un souffle la victime crie, se débat, lutte, et aux guichets des cages derrière lesquels les employés se tiennent impassibles, ce sont des explications, des supplications ou des reproches qui n'en finissent pas ; puis l'épuisement arrive ; mais celle qui disparaît est remplacée par une autre qui subit les mêmes épreuves avec les mêmes plaintes, les mêmes souffrances, la même fin, et celle-là par d'autres encore.

A biting satire of late 19th-century American imperialism, Captain Jinks, Hero was written by the American pacifist Ernest Howard Crosby. Crosby, who corresponded with Leo Tolstoy and advocated Tolstoy¿s pacifist ideals in the United States, lambasts the American military and its involvement in the Spanish-American War and the Boxer Rebellion through the character of Captain Jinks, a jingoistic officer who embarks on a tragicomic quest to become a ¿perfect soldier.¿ The novel also satirizes the role of industrial and media interests in promoting war through the character of Jinks¿s friend and companion Cleary, a yellow journalist who feeds sensational stories back to the home front at the behest of editors and monopolists.

Clouds of Witness, published by Dorothy L. Sayers in 1926, is the second of her novels starring Lord Peter Wimsey, a wealthy aristocrat who enjoys detective work as a hobby.In this book Wimsey¿s skills have an immediate and personal interest when his brother Gerald, the Duke of Denver, is arrested on a charge of murder. He is accused of shooting his sister¿s fiancé, Denis Cathcart, in a fit of rage after discovering that Cathcart was a man who made a living by cheating at cards. The Duke has no credible alibi for the time of Cathcart¿s death and refuses to clarify where he was. Wimsey promptly sets to work to solve the case and exonerate his brother.One interesting feature of the story is that the Duke, as a peer of the realm, must be tried before his other peers in the House of Lords. Another is the flight across the Atlantic undertaken by Wimsey to obtain vital evidence¿a year before Charles Lindbergh first made this voyage in reality.Clouds of Witness was made into a television mini-series for the BBC in 1972.

"Crime and Punishment," written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, is a monumental work in Russian literature and stands as one of the most significant novels in the psychological fiction genre. As a cornerstone among Dostoevsky's works, this novel explores profound themes of guilt, redemption, and the complex nature of human morality.The novel revolves around Rodion Raskolnikov, a penniless former student living in St. Petersburg, who conceives a theory that certain extraordinary individuals are above moral laws and have the right to commit acts that would otherwise be considered crimes. Driven by this belief, he murders a merciless pawnbroker, setting off a gripping tale of crime, morality, and existential torment.Following the crime, Raskolnikov is plunged into a mental labyrinth of guilt and paranoia. His intellectual justification for the murder clashes with his innate moral compass, causing an internal conflict that is central to the psychological drama of the novel.Dostoevsky's masterful depiction of Raskolnikov's internal turmoil provides a deep insight into the human psyche and the moral dilemmas that can torment it. This exploration of psychological complexity is a defining feature of modern existential literature.Alongside Raskolnikov's narrative, the novel presents an array of vivid characters, each grappling with their struggles and moral dilemmas. These character portraits enrich the novel's theme of moral ambiguity and social criticism, firmly placing the book in the tradition of 19th-century social narratives.The novel's setting in the grim and tumultuous streets of St. Petersburg further adds to the story's intensity, reflecting the characters' inner chaos. The city itself becomes a symbol of Raskolnikov's internal strife, contributing to the novel's status as a work of symbolic realism."Crime and Punishment" delves into questions of law, ethics, and the human condition. Dostoevsky's profound exploration of psychological conflict, moral ambiguity, redemption, and the underlying humanity within us all ensures that this novel continues to resonate with readers, scholars, and philosophers alike. Its impact on literature and thought remains unparalleled, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the depths of human complexity.

" In "Daisy's Necklace and What Came of It" by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, enter a world of mystery and intrigue as the story unfolds around a captivating necklace and its unforeseen consequences. This enthralling tale follows Daisy and the fateful events that occur after she comes into possession of the necklace.As Daisy receives the necklace, she is unaware of the secrets and history it holds. The story takes readers on a journey of unexpected twists and turns as the necklace brings forth unforeseen events, intertwining the lives of different characters and leading them on an unforgettable path.Thomas Bailey Aldrich's storytelling skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, romance, and human connection. Through the necklace, readers are introduced to a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own desires, motivations, and hidden pasts. As the story unfolds, it explores themes of love, fate, and the power of objects to shape lives.Join Daisy on her journey as she unravels the mysteries surrounding the necklace and discovers the profound impact it has on those who encounter it. Prepare to be captivated by the web of relationships, emotions, and consequences that arise from the necklace's presence."

Peter Blood, with experience as a soldier and sailor, is practicing medicine in Bridgewater, England, when he inadvertently gets caught up in a rebellion being waged by the Duke of Monmouth. After being convicted of treason, Blood and some of the rebels are sentenced to slavery in the Caribbean. The year is 1688.During the course of Blood¿s servitude, he works on the sugar plantation of Colonel Bishop and becomes infatuated with the colonel¿s niece, Arabella. When Bishop realizes that Blood is an accomplished physician he ¿employs¿ Blood in that capacity.When the colony is attacked by a Spanish force, Blood and some of the other slaves manage to escape and take over the Spanish ship. Several of the other escapees turn out to be experienced seaman, including as officers in the British navy. This group turns the Spanish ship into a very successful pirate ship, specializing in raiding Spanish shipping.This begins Captain Blood¿s journey toward redemption and his ¿courtship¿ of Arabella.Sabatini based Blood¿s character on several historical figures, including a doctor who was sentenced to slavery (but did not become a pirate), as well as Henry Morgan (who was a pirate). His most well known novel was Scaramouche. Sabatini also wrote a number of short stories about Captain Blood in the early 1920s.

Framley Parsonage is the fourth novel in Trollope¿s Chronicles of Barsetshire series. Originally a serial, it was first published as a book in 1861, and it has since been praised for its unsentimental depiction of the lives of middle-class people in the mid-Victorian era.As with the other books in the series, Framley Parsonage is set in the fictious English county of Barsetshire, and deals with the doings of a variety of families and characters who live in the region, several of whom have appeared in the previous books; but it primarily concerns the young Reverend Mark Robarts.Robarts has been appointed as vicar of the parish of Framley through the patronage of Lady Lufton of Framley Court, the mother of his long-time friend Ludovic, now Lord Lufton. After he and his wife Fanny take up residence in Framley Parsonage, Robarts is led into the society of some loose-living aristocrats through his friendship with Ludovic. Robarts eventually finds himself weakly consenting to his name being included on a bill for a loan to one of his new connections, Sowerby. By so doing, he becomes liable for debts he cannot possibly satisfy.An important secondary thread involves Mark Robarts¿ sister Lucy, who after their father¿s death comes to live with her brother¿s family at the parsonage. Through them, she becomes acquainted with Lady Lufton and her son Ludovic, and romantic complications ensue.Framley Parsonage was originally published anonymously in serial form in Cornhill Magazine, and such was its popularity that during its publication a hysterical young woman apparently tried to gain notoriety in her country town by claiming to be its author. ¿The real writer,¿ we are told, ¿dealt very gently with the pretender.¿

Le parfum qui s'exhale de ces effluves du passé n'est pas cet unique parfum de volupté qu'on a coutume de respirer dans tout ce qui émane du XVIIIe siècle, le siècle des grâces et des faciles complaisances. Ce n'est pas à nous, qui avons fait revivre les amours du plus voluptueux des monarques, de reprocher aux écrivains même les plus graves d'avoir, pour plus exactement peindre une époque, recherché celles d'entre les femmes de la société qui, par leurs aventures, s'offraient le mieux en mesure de retenir l'attention. Plus que les dames de haute vertu les célébrités amoureuses sollicitent la curiosité de la plupart, et c'est vers celles qui dispensèrent généreusement le plaisir ou inspirèrent passions ou caprices que tendent les efforts de ceux qui sont en mal d'histoire anecdotique. Le public, surtout certain public d'élite féminin,¿celui qui prend le temps de lire, mais recherche plutôt un délassement teinté de psychologie souriante, voire de physiologie instructive et amusante à la fois, que de trop pédantes leçons de diplomatie ou de politique,¿le public très fin, très quintessencié, très prompt à établir des comparaisons, des femmes qui comprennent ou qui devinent et qui concluent, encourage volontiers ces «analystes» des c¿urs réduits parfois au rôle d'anecdotiers d'amour.

" In "Dead on Target" by Franklin W. Dixon, dive into an exhilarating mystery as the Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe, find themselves entangled in a dangerous investigation. This gripping tale follows the brothers' relentless pursuit of the truth as they race against time to solve a perplexing case.As Frank and Joe Hardy dig deeper into the mystery, they uncover a web of intrigue, secrets, and unexpected twists. From deciphering cryptic clues to evading dangerous adversaries, the brothers rely on their sharp intellect, resourcefulness, and unwavering determination to unravel the truth and bring justice to those who deserve it.Franklin W. Dixon's storytelling captivates readers with its thrilling suspense, complex puzzles, and dynamic characters. Through the Hardy Boys' relentless pursuit of the truth, readers are reminded of the power of teamwork, the value of trust, and the courage required to confront adversity.Join the Hardy Boys on their perilous quest as they face formidable challenges, unravel clues, and navigate through a world filled with danger and intrigue in their quest for justice."

" In "Dave Fearless and the Cave of Mystery" by Roy Rockwood, join the daring and resourceful Dave Fearless on an exciting expedition into the depths of a mysterious cave. This thrilling tale follows Dave as he unravels ancient secrets, faces treacherous challenges, and uncovers the truth hidden within the enigmatic cavern.As Dave Fearless ventures into the Cave of Mystery, readers are transported to a world of suspense and adventure. With his quick thinking and bravery, Dave navigates through perilous obstacles, solves intricate puzzles, and confronts unexpected dangers lurking in the shadows.Roy Rockwood's storytelling captivates readers with its sense of mystery and intrigue, keeping them on the edge of their seats as they join Dave Fearless on his quest for discovery. Through the journey, readers witness the power of courage, determination, and intellect in overcoming obstacles and unraveling the secrets of the past.Join Dave Fearless as he delves into the depths of the Cave of Mystery, exploring its dark corners, deciphering ancient clues, and unearthing the truth that lies within its confines."

" In "Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane" by Roy Rockwood, join the young and adventurous Dave Dashaway as he takes to the skies in his thrilling hydroplane. This action-packed tale follows Dave's exhilarating journey as he navigates the challenges of aviation and embarks on daring missions.As Dave Dashaway pilots his hydroplane, readers are transported to a world of high-flying excitement and innovation. From testing the limits of his aircraft to participating in thrilling races and aerial rescues, Dave's courage and determination inspire readers to chase their dreams and overcome obstacles.Roy Rockwood's storytelling captures the thrill of aviation, showcasing the power of ingenuity, perseverance, and friendship. Through Dave's adventures, readers learn about the wonders of flight, the importance of teamwork, and the rewards of following one's passion.Join Dave Dashaway as he soars through the skies, experiencing the adrenaline of aviation and proving that with dedication and a little daring, dreams can take flight."

La grande rue de Beaumont était pleine de poussière, de soleil et de silence. Personne sur le seuil des maisons de pierre grise, uniformément construites sur le même modèle, suivant une ligne tirée au cordeau. Au-dessus du rez-de-chaussée s¿élevait un premier étage aux fenêtres garnies de petits carreaux verdâtres, doublés pour l¿¿il du curieux de rideaux de mousseline blanche à fleurs, plus impénétrables que les triples voiles d¿Isis. Madame Lagarde tricotait paisiblement un bas qui n¿en finissait plus, tant la jambe en était longue ; dérogeant aux usages des gens comme il faut du pays, elle avait gardé à sa maison l¿ancienne porte coupée en deux dans le sens de la hauteur, dont la partie inférieure, fermée au loquet, protégeait la salle contre les invasions probables des chiens, des poules, des oies, voire même des agneaux égarés. La partie supérieure, formant volet, restait ouverte et suppléait d¿une manière très efficace au jour insuffisant que donnait l¿unique fenêtre de la grande pièce du rez-de-chaussée.

Thomas De Quincey spent much of his life addicted to the powerful drug opium. This book, first published anonymously in the London Magazine, is the autobiographical account of his addiction. De Quincey¿s compelling language and frankness give the reader a window in to both the strange pleasures and the horrible pains of that famous drug.As the science of addiction was an unheard of thing at the time, De Quincey¿s account became a sort of authoritative reference for decades, with people going so far as to denounce the book for presenting too pleasurable a picture of opium use. His work stands as a fascinating window into the life of a Georgian-era addict in one of the busiest cities in the world.

Le cri rauque, deux fois répété, de la sirène du petit navire faisant le service de la poste sur la Côte Nord du Saint-Laurent, annonçait qüil devait bientôt quitter ses amarres au quai du Bassin Louise, dans le port du vieux Québec. Une quarantaine de passagers de première, pour la plupart des Américains en quête d¿émotions nouvelles, allaient demander à la Côte Nord de notre majestueux golfe les sensations que leur refusaient, pour s¿en être maintes fois repus, nos vieilles villes historiques, nos pittoresques villages et nos campagnes verdoyantes et luxurieuses sillonnées par nos belles routes. Parmi les passagers, se trouvaient aussi quelques citoyens de la Côte (abréviation dont se servent les habitants de cette région pour désigner le littoral du Saguenay au Labrador terre-neuvien). Des voyageurs de commerce allaient aussi dans ce pays lointain solliciter des commandes pour leurs patrons. Certains officiers des gouvernements, fédéral et provincial, faisaient leur tournée annuelle d¿inspection. Comme complément, deux sauvages de Natashquan, de la tribu montagnaise, attendaient patiemment le départ du navire.

Judah and Massala are close friends growing up, though one is Jewish and the other Roman. But when an accident happens after Massala returns from five years in Rome, Massala betrays his childhood friend and family. Judah¿s mother and sister are taken away to prison, and he is sent to a galley-ship. Years later, Judah rescues a ship¿s captain from drowning after a ship-to-ship battle, and the tribune adopts him in gratitude. Judah then devotes himself to learning as much as he can about being a warrior, in the hopes of leading an insurrection against Rome. He thinks he¿s found the perfect leader in a young Nazarite, but is disappointed at the young man¿s seeming lack of ambition.Before writing Ben-Hur, Lew Wallace was best known for being a Major General in the American Civil War. After the war, a conversation with an atheist caused Wallace to take stock of how little he knew about his own religion. He launched into what would be years of research so that he could write with accuracy about first-century Israel. Although Judah Ben-Hur is the novel¿s main character, the book¿s subtitle, ¿A Tale of the Christ,¿ reveals Wallace¿s real focus. Sales were only a trickle at the beginning, but it soon became a bestseller, and went on to become the best-selling novel of the nineteenth century. It has never been out of print, and to date has inspired two plays, a TV series, and five films¿one of which, the 1959 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer epic, is considered to be one of the best films yet made.

" In "Christmas Tide" by Elizabeth Harrison, immerse yourself in the enchanting spirit of the holiday season as the magic of Christmas unfolds. This delightful collection of stories, poems, and reflections captures the essence of Christmas, illuminating its traditions, joys, and the deeper meanings that lie within.Through "Christmas Tide," Elizabeth Harrison invites readers to explore the wonder and beauty of the holiday season. From tales of generosity and acts of kindness to reflections on the true spirit of Christmas, each piece transports readers to a place of warmth, love, and celebration.The book encompasses a range of themes, including family gatherings, gift-giving, holiday traditions, and the power of love and community. Elizabeth Harrison's evocative storytelling and heartfelt sentiments provide readers with a renewed appreciation for the joys and blessings that Christmas brings.Join Elizabeth Harrison on a journey through "Christmas Tide," where you'll encounter heartwarming stories, meaningful poems, and reflections that inspire gratitude, compassion, and the joy of the holiday season."

In Bashan and I (sometime referred to as Man and Dog), Thomas Mann, the Nobel Prize-winning author of The Magic Mountain and Death in Venice, writes in the most remarkable way of the unique relation that links a dog with his master. These memoirs read as a novel, and describe in fierce detail the behavior, feelings and psychology of Mann¿s dog Bashan, and of Mann himself. Mann tells how he acquired Bashan, details traits of his character, and describes how they go on harmless and bucolic hunts.Written in 1918 at the end of the First World War, Bashan and I is an ode to life, to nature, to simple joys, and to a dog.

At the Earth¿s Core, published in 1914, is the first of a series of science fiction novels written by Edgar Rice Burroughs set inside a hollow earth with a central ¿sun,¿ a land called Pellucidar. However unlikely this scenario, it allowed Burroughs free play to create heroic adventures in yet another alien environment in addition to his fantastic version of Mars in his Martian series.The story¿s hero, David Innes, is recruited by an old man, Perry, to help fund his invention, a ¿mechanical subterranean prospector,¿ and then to test it out. Unfortunately once the powerful burrowing machine is set going, it cannot be steered, and the pair find themselves burrowing deeper and deeper into the Earth¿s crust. To their astonishment, rather than dying from suffocation or increasing heat, they emerge inside a hollow shell inside the Earth. This world is populated by prehistoric creatures as well as primitive humans, intelligent gorillas, and supremely intelligent pterosaurs, the masters of this land. David and Perry are captured by these creatures and many adventures ensue.

Barchester Towers, published in 1857, is the sequel to Trollope¿s The Warden and continues the story of the clerical doings in the fictional cathedral town of Barchester.As this novel opens, the old Bishop of Barchester lies dying, and there is considerable doubt as to who will replace him. The Bishop¿s son Dr. Grantly, the Archdeacon, has high hopes of succeeding him, but these hopes are dashed and a new Bishop, Dr. Proudie, is appointed. Along with Dr. Proudie comes his domineering wife and their ambitious chaplain the Reverend Mr. Slope.The old clerical party headed by Dr. Grantly and the new, championed by Mrs. Proudie and Mr. Slope, are soon in contention over Church matters. These two parties represent a then-significant struggle between different evangelical approaches in the Church of England. One local issue in particular is fought over¿the appointment of a new Warden for Hiram¿s Hospital, the focus of the preceding book.Mrs. Eleanor Bold is the daughter of Mr. Harding, the prior Warden. She has recently been widowed. The wealth she inherited from her late husband makes her an attractive match, and her affections are in contention from several prospective suitors, including the oily Mr. Slope. All of this lends itself to considerable humor and interest.Though not well received by critics on its initial publication, Barchester Towers is now regarded as one of Trollope¿s most popular novels. Together with The Warden, it was made into a very successful television series by the BBC in 1982.

The posh, English daughter of an Australian pastoralist is sent to Kuryong station to learn the ropes. At the same time, a search is underway across the desolate innards of regional New South Wales for the lost son of a wealthy uncle. These stories collide to give a humorous take on the values of family, marriage and hard work, set in the beautiful backdrop of the Australian Outback.This was Banjo Paterson¿s first novel after a string of widely celebrated poems written in the late 1800s.

Martin Arrowsmith, the titular protagonist, grows up in a small Midwestern town where he wants to become a doctor. At medical school he meets an abrasive but brilliant professor, Gottlieb, who becomes his mentor. As Arrowsmith completes his training he begins a career practicing medicine. But, echoing Lewis¿s Main Street, small-town life becomes too insular and restricting; his interest in research and not people makes him unpopular, and he decides to work in a research laboratory instead.From there Arrowsmith begins a career that hits all of the ethical quandaries that scientists and those in the medical profession encounter: everything from the ethical problem of research protocol strictness versus saving lives, to doing research for the betterment of mankind versus for turning a profit, to the politics of institutions, to the social problems of wealth and poverty. Arrowsmith struggles with these dilemmas because, like all of us, he isn¿t perfect. Despite his interest in helping humanity, he has little interest in people¿aside from his serial womanizing¿and this makes the path of his career an even harder one to walk. He¿s surrounded on all sides by icons of nobility, icons of pride, and icons of rapaciousness, each one distracting him from his calling.Though the book isn¿t strictly a satire, few escape Lewis¿s biting pen. He skewers everyone indiscriminately: small-town rubes, big-city blowhards, aspiring politicians, doctors of both the noble and greedy variety, hapless ivory-towered researchers, holier-than-thou neighbors, tedious gilded-age socialites, and even lazy and backwards islanders. In some ways, Arrowsmith rivals Main Street in its often-bleak view of human nature¿though unlike Main Street, the good to humanity that science offers is an ultimate light at the end of the tunnel.The novel¿s publication in 1925 made it one of the first serious ¿science¿ novels, exploring all aspects of the life and career of a modern scientist. Lewis was aided in the novel¿s preparation by Paul de Kruif, a microbiologist and writer, whose medically-accurate contributions greatly enhance the text¿s realist flavor.In 1926 Arrowsmith was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, but Lewis famously declined it. In his refusal letter, he claimed a disinterest in prizes of any kind; but the New York Times reported that those close to him say he was still angered over the Pulitzer¿s last-minute snatching of the 1921 prize from Main Street in favor of giving it to The Age of Innocence.