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First appearing as an anonymous serial in "Harper's Magazine" in 1895, "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" was Mark Twain's final novel and was published as a complete work under his name in 1896. The novel is a stark departure from Twain's usual comic and satirical writings, which is why Twain insisted it initially be published anonymously so that the public would take it seriously. The work is told from the perspective of a fictionalized version of Joan's page, Louis de Conte, and is divided into three parts based on Joan's life: her upbringing, her victorious time as a military commander, and her trial at Rouen. The novel is sympathetic to Joan and suggests that the English deliberately rigged the trial of Joan of Arc to convict her of witchcraft and heresy, a view that recent scholarship seems to support. Twain was deeply fascinated by Joan of Arc for much of his life. He considered "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" to be his best and most important work and spent nearly 15 years researching and working on the novel. The result is a work of sincere and engrossing historical fiction. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

The second novel of Anthony Trollope's "Chronicles of Barsetshire" series and widely considered one of his best and most popular works, "Barchester Towers" was published in 1857 and continues the story of Mr. Harding and his daughter Eleanor in the beautiful cathedral city of Barchester. Upon the death of the popular and beloved bishop, the citizens fully expect his son, Archdeacon Grantly, to fill the vacancy. Much to their consternation, however, the far more Evangelical Bishop Proudie is given the position. A struggle for power ensues between these traditional and new forces. Mrs. Proudie, the Bishop's overbearing wife, and the Bishop's new chaplain, the distasteful and hypocritical Mr. Slope, use their power to control the selection of the new warden of the local hospital over the objections of the rest of the clergy. Clerical reinforcements are called in on both sides and the struggle between the different factions of the church plays out amid the romantic entanglements and dramas of the town's inhabitants. In the end, the results are more than satisfactory for Eleanor and other citizens of Barchester in this witty comedy. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

A cycle of twelve narrative poems, "Idylls of the King" is Alfred Tennyson's classic 19th century retelling of Arthurian legend. Linked by their common focus, these poems relate the stories of King Arthur's ascent to power, quest to create a perfect kingdom, and his eventual defeat. Included in this epic work are the stories of Arthur's love for Guinevere, their marriage, and her betrayal. Much of the work is also devoted to the exploits of the knights of the round table as well as the involvement of the wizard Merlin. Tennyson relied heavily on previous Arthurian works including Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur", which was first published in 1485, and the "Mabinogion", one of the earliest prose stories of Britain, one based on older oral traditions, written during the 12th century. However, "Idylls of the King" is not merely a retelling of the same stories of these previous works, but rather an expansion of the legend and an effort to bring the concerns and values of Victorian England to these timeless tales. Tennyson's poems are a complex, beautiful, and thoughtful addition to the genre of Arthurian literature. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

The only full-length novel by Edgar Allan Poe, "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" was first published in 1838. It is the story of a boy from Nantucket, Arthur Gordon Pym, who stows away aboard a whaling ship, the "Grampus", with the help of his friend Augustus, the ship captain's son. Pym and Augustus experience many unexpected adventures and misfortunes at sea, including mutiny, violent storms, cannibalism, and the destruction of the ship. Eventually, only Pym and another sailor, Dirk Peters, have survived and are clinging to the debris when they are rescued by the "Jane Guy", a fishing ship headed to the southern seas. Pym becomes fascinated by the interesting birds and wildlife to be found near the Antarctic and convinces the captain to sail even further south. Pym's adventures continue as the sailors meet aggressive natives and strange new lands. Rich with symbolism and allegory, Poe who sought to make the novel full of believable details, was heavily inspired by many popular travel journals of his time. "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" greatly influenced writers such as Herman Melville and Jules Verne and remains to this day an exciting nautical adventure. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

A classic work of ancient Greek literature from Plato, one of the most famous of all ancient Greek philosophers, the "Phaedo" is the moving story of the last moments of Socrates life as recounted by Phaedo, a student of Socrates and a first-hand witness to his final hours. "Phaedo" is the fourth and last dialogue by Plato of Socrates final days, following "Euthyphro", "Apology", and "Crito". In "Phaedo" we see the famous philosopher in his last hours before drinking poison hemlock, as he has been sentenced to do by an Athenian jury for his refusal to believe in the gods of the state and for corrupting the youth with his ideas. Socrates explains to the students there to witness his death that his suicide does not matter because his soul is immortal. In support of his belief, Socrates introduces many of the themes and dualities that have come to define Western culture and philosophy: life and death, soul and body, reason and emotion, science and belief. Here in this masterpiece of ancient Greek literature, two of history's greatest philosophers are brought together, one as the subject and the other as the author. Presented here is the classic translation with introduction by Benjamin Jowett in an edition printed on premium acid-free paper.

One of the most famous of Honore de Balzac's novels, "Lost Illusions" paints a faithful picture of the spectacular but superficial world of mid-19th century French society, and the indissoluble relationship between the bourgeois and aristocratic classes. Originally published serially from 1837 to 1843, the story features the main characters Lucien Chardon, a vain and naïve poet and journalist, and his friend and brother-in-law David Sechard, an innovative, hard-working young printer from the provincial Angouleme, with aspirations to revolutionize the production of paper and provide for his new family. The victim of a callous father and unscrupulous competitors, David finds himself in constant turmoil from the reckless exploits and betrayals of his friend Lucien. Lucien, in contrast, is full of grand dreams and aspirations and must leave for Paris as the result of a scandalous affair. He seeks fame and fortune in the city as a poet, while his impetuous actions wreak havoc for many at home. Readers will be drawn to the intertwined stories of these two men in a novel that exemplifies the eternal battles of love, ambition, greed, loyalty, vanity, and betrayal. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Ellen Marriage.

Originally published in Polish in 1896 by Nobel Prize-winning author Henryk Sienkiewicz, "Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero" is the story of a love that develops in Rome between a young Christian woman, Lygia, and Marcus Vinicius, a Roman patrician, during the reign of Nero in 64 AD. The title "Quo Vadis" is translated from Latin as "Where are you going?" The quote is a reference to the New Testament verse John 13:36, which states "Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards." Sienkiewicz exhaustively researched the Roman Empire and the result is an incredibly detailed and believable story. The novel is one of contrasts: the violence of ancient Rome and its gladiators contrasted with the sweet and touching love story between Marcus and Lygia, and the contrast between the piety, poverty, and spirituality of the early Christians with the decadence and waste of Nero and his court. "Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero" is a captivating and timeless tale of love and devotion amid violence and ruin. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

The cycle of 55 sonnets that comprise Rainer Maria Rilke's "Sonnets to Orpheus" were written in a period of three weeks during 1922, a time which the poet himself described as a "savage creative storm." Inspired by the death of his daughter's friend, Wera Knoop, Rilke commenced to the production of "Sonnets to Orpheus", a work filled with mythological and biblical allusions. During the same burst of creative energy he set to working on the completion of the "Duino Elegies", a work begun some ten years earlier but set aside due to Rilke's own emotional distress over the tragic events of World War I and his conscription into the Austro-Hungarian army. He wrote in a letter to the deceased girl's mother that Wera's ghost was "commanding and impelling" him to write. The results of this "savage creative storm" are generally considered as Rilke's masterpieces. "Duino Elegies" is an intensely spiritual group of verses that ponders the beauty and existential suffering of life. Together these works exhibit why Rilke is widely recognized as one of the most lyrically intense of all German-language poets. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1872 by the famed and beloved Scottish author George MacDonald, "The Princess and the Goblin" is a classic and widely influential children's fantasy novel. It is the story of the young and lonely Princess Irene who lives in a large castle in a desolate land with only her nursemaid for company. One day while exploring her castle home, Princess Irene finds a secret stairway in the castle, discovers her great-great-grandmother living in a secret chamber, and is introduced to a new magical world. Princess Irene begins to explore her world outside of the castle, discovers the existence of goblins, whom she was unaware lived nearby, and is rescued from danger by a young miner named Curdie. He and Princess Irene quickly become friends and have more adventures discovering magic and avoiding the violent goblins. When Curdie is captured by the goblins and overhears a plot to kidnap the Princess and flood the King's mine he is challenged to foil the nefarious plan of the goblins and save the Princess. A masterpiece of children's literature and a touching story of courage and loyalty, "The Princess and the Goblin" is a timeless treasure. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1920, "The Story of Doctor Dolittle", or "Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts", is Hugh Lofting's classic children's novel about the animal-loving British country doctor, John Dolittle, who learns he can talk to animals with help from his pet parrot Polynesia. In this first book in a series of titles about Doctor Dolittle's adventures, the good doctor puts his unique skills to use when he has to leave his beloved home in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh and travel to Africa with his pets to help cure a terrible monkey epidemic. Doctor Dolittle and his pets, including Jip, his loyal dog and Dab-Dab, his housekeeping duck, encounter all manner of adventure and misfortune during their trip, from a shipwreck, to being kidnapped, to encounters with pirates, and to the discovery of unique and interesting animals. After finally curing the monkeys, Doctor Dolittle and his pets are able to return to their idyllic country home with grand treasures and amazing stories to tell from their voyage. This edition includes all the original illustrations by the author and is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1751, "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals" by David Hume, the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, was the enquiry subsequent to his 1748 work "Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" and is often referred to as "the second Enquiry". In Hume's own opinion it was the very best of all his writings. In "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals", Hume expands upon his ideas of morality first discussed in his earlier work "A Treatise of Human Nature". Hume seeks to understand how humans make moral judgments and whether ethics have a basis in objective reality or reason. Hume argues that ethics is fundamentally rooted in sentiment and emotion and that ethics has no meaning apart from human understanding. Rather, whether something is ethical or not depends largely on the feelings that the behavior evokes. Hume also makes the compelling argument that true virtue is based on the natural world and is not dependent on laws or social systems. Instead, the most important and worthy virtues are found in the highest merit that human nature is capable of, such as being merciful, generous, friendly, and benevolent. "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals" remains an important and thought-provoking masterpiece of philosophy nearly three hundred years later. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1853, "The Two Babylons" is a religious work by the Scottish theologian Alexander Hislop, a prominent leader of the Presbyterian Free Church of Scotland. Hislop argues in this influential work that the Catholic Church and the trappings of the papacy have their roots in the religion of ancient Babylon as described in the Bible. Hislop draws many parallels in his comparison of the traditions, holidays, and ceremonies of the Catholic Church throughout history to the practices of the religion founded by the Biblical king Nimrod and his wife Semiramis. Hislop relies on the descriptions of the Babylonian religious traditions in the book of Revelation in the Bible and in the apostle Paul's writings from the first century. He was also inspired by the findings of English archaeologist Austen Henry Layard and his excavations at Nineveh, which was discovered in 1851. The author found many comparisons between the ancient gods found in the forgotten city and modern Catholic holidays and traditions. "The Two Babylons" was controversial when it was first published for its criticism of the Catholic Church and its theories continue to be debated to this day. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Johnny Gruelle's "Raggedy Ann Stories" introduced the world to one of the most beloved of all children's characters, Raggedy Ann. Gruelle, born in Illinois in 1880, and was a children's author, political cartoonist, and illustrator. He had an artistic upbringing and was taught to draw by his father, the famed Hoosier painter Richard Gruelle. As an adult, Gruelle was inspired to create his most famous character, Raggedy Ann, by his daughter Marcella and the fun she had playing with dolls. Gruelle combined the names from "The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie" and patented the iconic rag doll with her red yarn hair and triangle nose in 1915. "Raggedy Ann Stories", his book explaining her origins and introducing Raggedy Ann and her friends to the world, was published in 1918 and both the book and doll were great commercial successes. Gruelle went on to publish many more books chronicling Raggedy Ann, her brother Raggedy Andy, and their many friends. The stories have become timeless and enduring classics for their loving characters, wholesome values, and fun adventures, and continue to charm children and parents over one hundred years later. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Sir James George Frazer developed an affinity for classic literature at a young age, which developed into a very real talent through his schooling at Glasgow University and then Trinity College at Cambridge, where he remained as a Classics Fellow for all but one year of his life. After the success of his first novel, "Totemism", in 1887, Frazer set out to create what was to become his defining work, "The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion". Originally a two-volume edition, the work expanded into multiple volumes, which in 1922 he edited down to the most widely-read abridged version, which has been reproduced here for this edition. It was initially celebrated as a remarkable study of comparative anthropology, but was later discredited by scientists because Frazer did not follow standard scientific procedures. Nevertheless, it could not be denied that the work was an incredible literary accomplishment. "The Golden Bough" is an important work which has heavily influenced many modern writers and philosophers. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Greatest Thing in the World" is the enduring sermon on love and kindness by Henry Drummond, a respected and popular nineteenth-century Scottish evangelist, scientist, speaker, and writer. Drummond was well-known during his lifetime for his efforts to bridge the gap between the scientific world and the religious world, most notably in his 1883 work "Natural Law in the Spiritual World". He was also a popular and inspiring public speaker and his 1890 sermon "The Greatest Thing in the World" remains widely read and quoted the world over. The sermon is a powerful sermon exploring the Biblical verse 1 Corinthians 13 and Paul's writings on love which remains as relevant and meaningful as when it was first given. It is considered by many to be one of the most extraordinary and moving descriptions of the importance and power that love has in everyone's daily life and spiritual practice. Drummond also provides practical and useful guidance for every Christian to live a gentler, kinder, and more compassionate life."The Greatest Thing in the World" will touch the heart of everyone who reads its timeless message and is an important addition to the libraries of the devout and nonreligious alike. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Written by Daniel Defoe nearly sixty years after the bubonic plague of 1665 swept through London, "A Journal of the Plague Year", published in 1722, is an historically accurate account of one man's experiences during a year of the Great Plague. In astonishing detail, Defoe takes readers through a vivid and horrific tour of the neighborhoods, houses, and streets that have drastically changed as the city is ravaged by the plague. The bustle of business and errands gives way to doors marked with the cross to signify a house of death, as well as the dead-carts transporting those destined for the mass graves, as the number of victims rises to nearly 100,000. As the epidemic progresses and the narrator encounters more stories of isolation and horror, Defoe reveals his masterful balance as both a historical and imaginative writer. He is able to convey both the massive scale of the tragedy and the deeply personal stories of the victims and survivors. Believed to have been based on the journals of his uncle Henry Foe, Defoe's classic is widely regarded as one of the most accurate and detailed accounts of the Great Plague and its toll on London's citizens. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Written in 1542 and first published in 1552, "A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies" by Bartolome de Las Casas, a Dominican friar, is a moving and shocking account of the atrocities and mistreatment suffered by the indigenous people of South America under Spanish colonial rule. Bartolome de Las Casas, believed to have been born in 1484, immigrated to the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean from Spain in 1502 with his father and was ordained as a priest in 1510. His work with the Church gave him a startling glimpse into the cruelty and inhumanity that the native peoples were subjected to by the powerful Spaniards. Bartolome de Las Casas was determined to advocate for these oppressed people and traveled back and forth between Spain and the New World several times to bring the plight of the indigenous peoples to the attention of the King. Bartolome de Las Casas documented the ravages of the disease and greed the Spanish brought with them across the sea. "A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies" is an important and remarkable work, as well as the earliest documentation of a concerted effort to advocate for better and more humane treatment of the native people of the New World. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"George Washington's Rules of Civility" by Moncure D. Conway, first published in 1890, is a study of the history of the 110 principles or maxims which were written out by hand by George Washington as a young man and preserved in the Washington archives. These principles were copied out by Washington in 1745 and were titled "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". They are guidelines by which proper and decent people should abide and include instruction on proper dress, how to behave in pleasant company, general manners and courtesies, and how to act in formal situations. Washington was deeply influenced by these rules and his character throughout his adult life was defined by their insistence on proper decorum and courtesy. Conway traces the history of these guidelines and in his exhaustive research finds their origin in a French treatise published in 1595. The maxims were then translated into Latin and eventually published in English in 1640. The author researches Washington's early education and posits how and by whom the future leader may have been introduced to these influential and formative principles. Conway's "George Washington's Rules of Civility" provides an important historical context to the influences that shaped the character of America's first president. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Secret Sharer and Other Stories" is a collection of seafaring tales by famed author Joseph Conrad. In "The Secret Sharer", a nameless captain discovers a stow-away clinging to the side of his ship and secretly brings him aboard and harbors him in his cabin. In "Typhoon", the main character, Captain MacWhirr, decides to sail his vessel through a typhoon in the South Pacific. His bold action, at first to the protest of his crew, later earns him their admiration and respect. In "The Nigger of the 'Narcissus'" we have the tale of James Wait, a dying West Indian black sailor whose condition seems to parallel the fate of the merchant ship 'Narcissus', of which he is a member of the crew. "Youth" is the semi-autobiographical story of the first voyage of Charles Marlow, the narrator of Conrad's most famous novel "Heart of Darkness". This quest tale finds the youthful Marlow's nerve, strength, and patience all tested on his journey to becoming a man. A shining example of Conrad's later literary ability, "The Shadow-Line" is his 1915 novella of a young man in his first command as a sea captain. It is a suspenseful story of a defining moment of a young life, when the indistinct line separating an inexperienced boy from a mature man becomes perfectly clear. These exhilarating nautical tales by a master storyteller portray intense trials of human spirit and the powerful demands of duty and honor. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Physiology of Taste" by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin is a must-read for anyone who loves the art of great food. Besides being famous for his lavish food parties and dinners, Brillat-Savarin was a French lawyer and politician during the French Revolution. He narrowly escaped France during the Reign of Terror, and then proceeded to travel around Europe and America before returning to his home and spending the rest of his days as a court judge. However, today he is best known for his landmark work, "The Physiology of Taste". Written over the course of several decades and published two months before the author's death, the book is considered by many to be one of the best epicurean works of all time. In this book, Brillat-Savarin creates a unique discourse on the art of food by pairing it with classic philosophies about timeless topics such as life and death. The author studies the culture of food by examining specific recipes and then explaining their traditional significance. The work goes beyond discourse by combining the art of cooking food with the art of eating food and creating delicious food and wine pairings. Brillat-Savarin is also hailed by critics for his opportune wit, demonstrated by his creation of famous phrases such as "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are". This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Fayette Robinson.

The "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" is considered one of the most important documents of Anglo-Saxon history and was written by Saint Bede, or Bede the Venerable, an English Benedictine monk and well-known scholar who was born around 672 AD. The work, which begins as a general history of England from the time of Julius Caesar's invasion in 55 BC, details the rise of Christianity in England and becomes a detailed study of the different Christian churches and leaders of England. The history focuses chiefly on the conflict between Roman and Celtic Christianity from the introduction of Christianity to the Anglo-Saxon's by Augustine of Canterbury in 597 AD until the time of the book's completion in approximately 731 AD. In drawing upon numerous primary and secondary resources, Saint Bede creates not only an important and often accurate historical document, but also advances his own views on politics and religion, which was more supportive of the Roman church leaders than the Anglo-Saxons. One of the most important works of both English and Christian history, the "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" is a must read for scholars or students of either historical discipline. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of J. A. Giles.

The first major work of the father of French Naturalism, "Thérèse Raquin" is the shocking and scandalous initial big success in Emile Zola's impressive writing career. Zola's third novel was published serially in 1867 and then as a book in 1868. The story revolves around a young woman, Thérèse, who is unhappily married to her first cousin Camille, largely due to her domineering, if well-intentioned, aunt and Camille's mother, Madame Raquin. Camille, selfish and spoiled by his mother, decides to move the little family to Paris to pursue a career. While there Camille meets up with an old friend, Laurent, who quickly becomes Thérèse's lover. Thérèse and Laurent go to terrible and horrific lengths to be together, but the happy ending they think they will find eludes them and they cannot escape their guilt. It eventually become their undoing, proving them to be the "human beasts" that Zola attempted to portray in a scientifically detached manner in this grisly and intense experimental novel. A sinister story of adultery and murder in lower class Parisian society, "Thérèse Raquin" is a dreadfully realistic novel that remains one of Zola's most masterful works. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1921 and awarded the first ever Newbery Medal of 1922 for its contribution to children's literature, "The Story of Mankind" follows the history of western civilization from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. Originally written for his children, Hendrik van Loon, a Dutch-American journalist and historian, both wrote and illustrated this classic for children to learn about world history in an entertaining way. From the very beginning of mankind, the development of writing and art, the rise of world religions, to the formation of nation-states and modern politics, van Loon emphasizes the people and events central to the monumental changes and achievements of human history. Beautiful and detailed, van Loon's epic work has withstood the test of time with its lively illustrations and warm and accessible prose, making these famous figures and grand world events relatable and interesting to children of all ages. A remarkable, accurate, and enduring work, "The Story of Mankind" is a masterpiece of children's literature and continues to engage and inspire young readers to this day. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Elements of Style", was first written by William Strunk in 1918 for private use at Cornell University, where Strunk was a professor of English, and republished by Harcourt in 1920 for the public. The concise handbook remains one of the most important and influential English writing style guides ever published. The original edition of the guide is organized into eight elementary rules of usage (such as using the active voice rather than the passive), ten elementary rules of composition (including the rule of omitting needless words), several matters of form, 49 commonly misused words and expressions, and 57 words often misspelled. The result is an efficient and pragmatic guide to help produce writing that is clear and understandable, in which every word is important. In 1957 while at "The New Yorker" writer E. B. White, who had studied under Strunk, called the guide "a forty-three-page summation of the case for cleanliness, accuracy, and brevity in the use of English." "The Elements of Style" remains an effective and helpful guide for anyone who wishes to write with greater order, simplicity, and sincerity.

Considered to be one of the most difficult poems in the history of the English language, "The Faerie Queen" by Edmund Spenser is a marvelous epic poem depicting the virtues of the legendary King Arthur and his knights in a mythical place called Faerieland. Spenser based his interpretation of the virtues on those named by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. Each one of the books discusses a different hero who displays one of these virtues; however, this entire collection was meant to be a tribute to Queen Elizabeth and the Tudor family. The stories are intricate and sometimes hard to understand. The language follows Spenserian prose and is intentionally archaic; Spenser wanted his work to have a mythical feel rather than being a modern piece. Each work was specifically chosen to evoke a certain feeling or image, allowing Spenser to make the world of Faerieland have an enchanting feeling. All readers who make their way through the text find that they are rewarded by the epic poem's masterful plots and inventive setting. Students of history and literature will enjoy this timeless classic for its challenging rhetoric, but also for its vivid depictions and stunning allegorical significance. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and is thoroughly annotated by David Laing Purves.