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Mark Twain's semi-autobiographical travel memoir, "Roughing It" was written between 1870-1871 and subsequently published in 1872. Billed as a prequel to "Innocents Abroad", in which Twain details his travels aboard a pleasure cruise through Europe and the Holy Land in 1867, "Roughing It" conversely documents Twain's early days in the old wild west between the years 1861-1867. Employing his characteristically humoristic wit and flare for regional dialect, Twain crafts a story which at once explores the magnificence of the wild west and dispels its romanticized mythology. Called out west to help his brother, Orion, who has been appointed secretary of Nevada, the two travel from their homes in Missouri aboard the Overland Stage. In relating the trip, the rugged brilliance of the open frontier of the American West is beautifully depicted. Parting ways with his brother, Twain continues on from Salt Lake City to San Francisco and ultimately the kingdom of Hawaii. Along the way numerous anecdotes of humorous adventures and mishaps of Twain's experiences with Mormons, Native Americans, mining, and real estate speculation are satirically told. A classic travelogue, "Roughing It" is one of Twain's greatest non-fictional works. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1883, "Life on the Mississippi" is Mark Twain's depiction of his life on the Mississippi river as a steamboat pilot. The work begins with a brief history of the river from the perspective of notable Americans and Europeans starting with Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1542. The narrative continues with Twain's memoir of his time as an apprentice under the stewardship of experienced steamboat pilot, Horace E. Bixby. While he was twenty-one at the time, Twain portrays himself as much younger, romanticizing his youthful exuberance for his adventures aboard the steamboats of the Mississippi. The second half of the book details a trip along the Mississippi River from St. Louis to New Orleans in the years following the American Civil War. A charming depiction of a bygone era in American history, combined with many tall tales and humorous anecdotes, "Life on the Mississippi" is one of Mark Twain's most famous works of non-fiction, one which would establish him as one of 19th century America's premier humorists. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Dictated to her friend Olive Gilbert and first published privately in 1850, "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth" is the memoir of Sojourner Truth, an African American woman who struggled against the bondages of slavery in the early 1800s. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery around 1797 but escaped with her infant daughter in 1826, finding refuge in the home of Isaac and Maria Van Wagenen of New Paltz, New York. Subsequently in 1828 she would become the first black woman to win a case against a white man when she sued to recover her son, who was still enslaved. Born Isabella Bomefree, Sojourner changed her name to signify her belief that God had tasked her with the mission to go forth and preach the message of abolition. With the strength of her spirituality, Sojourner Truth would overcome many struggles in her life and go on to become a leading abolitionist and champion of women's rights. One of the most famous slave narratives of all time, "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth" is an important historical document of slavery in the United States during first half of the 19th century. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1896, Charles Monroe Sheldon's "In His Steps" is a classic of Christian literature whose premise centers on the idea of emulating Christ in one's everyday life. The story concerns the lives of the residents of the fictional railroad town of Raymond, located somewhere in the Northeastern United States. When an out of work man, Jack Manning, appeals for help from Reverend Henry Maxwell, pastor of the first church of Raymond, and later collapses and dies in front of his congregation, because the Reverend refuses to help the man, Henry is forced to reexamine his life. Following the incident, Henry begins to preach to his congregation the following message: "Do not do anything without first asking, 'What would Jesus do?'" This simple maxim, which becomes the guiding message of the novel, creates a profound way of looking at life when confronted with both common and morally challenging dilemmas. By asking how would Jesus respond in a particular situation, an individual can hope to gain a greater insight into living a more pious life. Christians will find "In His Steps" a compelling narrative illustrating this concept. This edition is printed in premium acid-free paper.

Widely accepted as Shakespeare's earliest tragedy, "Titus Andronicus" is the bloody story of a Roman general engaged in terrible revenge with the Queen of the Goths, Tamora. The play begins with Titus returning to Rome after ten years of fighting. He brings with him the defeated Tamora, Queen of the Goths, and her sons. Titus sacrifices one of Tamora's sons to avenge the sons he lost in the war, which begins a cycle of revenge in which Tamora and her lover, Aaron the Moor, plot and scheme against the remaining children of Titus. This entails especially horrific results for his daughter Lavinia, whose fate is thought to be based on the mythological story of Procne and Philomela from Ovid's "Metamorphoses". The conclusion is full of further violence and death, with few characters remaining to tell the tragic story of Titus and his children. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, includes a preface and annotations by Henry N. Hudson, and an introduction by Charles Harold Herford.

The first play in William Shakespeare's tetralogy of plays which also includes "Henry IV, Part 1", "Henry IV, Part 2", and "Henry V", "Richard II" is believed to have been written around 1595. A history play, the drama concerns the last two years of the life of King Richard II of England, spanning the years 1398 to 1400. The drama begins with a dispute between Richard's cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, who would later become King Henry IV, and Thomas de Mowbray, first Duke of Norfolk. Henry has accused Mowbray of murdering his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. Meanwhile, Henry's father, John of Gaunt, first Duke of Lancaster, believes it is Richard that is responsible for his brother's murder. Unable to resolve the matter by traditional methods it is agreed that the dispute will be settled through trial by battle between Bolingbroke and Mowbray. What ensues is a series of events that will bring about the tragic downfall of Richard. A study in the disastrous consequences of political miscalculation, "Richard II" begins the story of a dramatically Machiavellian period of England's rule. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, includes a preface and annotations by Henry N. Hudson, and an introduction by Charles Harold Herford.

Originally published in the First Folio of 1623, "Measure for Measure" is William Shakespeare's play which was likely written sometime in 1603 or 1604. The play begins with Vincentio, the Duke of Vienna, who leaves the government in charge of the authoritarian justice, Angelo, when he departs the city on a diplomatic mission. Lord Angelo believes that there is too much debauchery in the city and seeks to more strictly enforce laws against certain sexual activities. The story centers on Claudio who has impregnated his fiancée, Juliet, outside the bonds of marriage. Despite their plans to marry, Lord Angelo wishes to make an example of Claudio by sentencing him to death. Based upon two 16th century works, Italian novelist and poet Cinthio's "The Story of Epitia", and English dramatist George Whetstone's "Promos and Cassandra", "Measure for Measure", which is classified by most scholars as a comedy, is notable for being one of the bard's "problem plays", given its intermittent shifts in tone between darkly dramatic and comedic elements. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, includes a preface and annotations by Henry N. Hudson, and an introduction by Charles Harold Herford.

One of the last tragedies written by William Shakespeare, "Coriolanus" is the story of the legendary 5th century BC Roman general Caius Martius, later given the honorary name Coriolanus. Based largely on the biographical accounts of Plutarch and Livy, the play opens amongst riots over grain in which Coriolanus' contempt for the plebeians of Rome is exhibited. The general is drawn away from the riots to battle with the Volscian army. Following the conquest of the Volscian city of Corioli, he finds himself a hero and turns his ambition to politics. In his bid for a position in the Roman Senate, he discovers the power of both his allies and his enemies. Coriolanus quickly learns that his temperament is unsuited for success in the political arena. His militaristic pride, disdain for the concept of popular rule, as well as his unwillingness to slander his opponents, ultimately lead to his exile from Rome. A classic portrayal of the fledgling Roman Empire, "Coriolanus" is ultimately a tale of the tragic consequences of misplaced alliances. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, includes a preface and annotations by Henry N. Hudson, and an introduction by Charles Harold Herford.

The nine lyric poets were a canon of ancient Greek composers esteemed by the scholars of Hellenistic Alexandria as worthy of critical study. The most famous of which is probably Sappho, who was born sometime between 630 and 612 BC on the Greek island of Lesbos. The famous Library of Alexandria collected Sappho's poems into nine books, unfortunately these editions have been lost. Today only fragments of the poetess' work remains. These fragments are collected together here in this volume of "The Poems of Sappho and Others" along with fragments of the other Greek monodist lyric poets contemporary to Sappho. Altogether we find the poetry of Alcaeus, Pythermus, Anacreon, Anacreontea, Corrina, Telesilla, Praxilla, Erinna as well as Sappho in this volume of poetry translated by Walter Petersen. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Bushido, which literally means "the way of warriors" is a code of conduct, based upon a set of honors and ideals associated with the samurai way of life, that has greatly influenced the culture and people of Japan. The origin of bushido likely dates to sometime between the 16th and 20th century in Japan, though some scholars argue that it may have been built upon much earlier traditions. Born from the Neo-Confucianism of the Edo period, bushido emphasizes the eight virtues of righteousness, heroism, compassion, respect, honesty, honor, loyalty, and self-control. Noted diplomat, statesman, economist, educator, and author, Inazo Nitobe helped to introduce the culture of Japan to a western audience. Today he is best remembered for his work "Bushido: The Soul of Japan". First published in English in 1900, the work explores how the influence of the ancient code of bushido has had such a lasting effect on the culture and traditions of Japan. Drawing in the eastern traditions of Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism, Nitobe compares and contrasts bushido with the foundations of Western culture finding common ground in the spirit of medieval chivalry and the ethos of ancient Greece. While criticized in Japan contemporarily for presenting bushido from too Western of a perspective, the work is today recognized as a classic on the subject. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes an introduction by William Elliot Griffis.

The third novel in the "Anne of Green Gables" saga, Lucy M. Montgomery's "Anne of the Island" first debuted in 1915. The plucky young Anne Shirley is now all grown up into a smart beautiful young woman. Having left the environs of Avonlea, where she was employed as a teacher in the preceding novel, "Anne of Avonlea", Anne is off to pursue her dream of obtaining a college degree at Redmond College in Nova Scotia. She is joined there by childhood friends Gilbert Blythe and Charlie Sloane, both whom have affections for Anne, and by her good friend from Queen's Academy, Priscilla Grant. Along with old friends there are new ones in the beautiful but frivolous Philippa Gordon, and the darkly handsome and poetic Roy Gardner. "Anne of the Island", which follows Anne through all four years of college, is the story of how a young woman's idealized notions of romance are replaced by a mature sensibility of what love really is. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

An epic endeavor by a man genuinely enamored of his native Rome, Livy's "History of Rome" was originally written in 142 books spanning the entire history of the Roman people up to Livy's day in the time of Augustus in the first century BC. Of this monumental history, which took most of the Livy's life to complete, only 45 books still survive today. Livy begins with Aeneas' landing in Italy and the myth of the founding of Rome by Romulus. In later books Livy thoroughly covers the numerous wars and rulers of Rome. Though the work is a bit biased, its countless references to other sources are a testament of Livy's attempt to create an accurate, understandable history of the Roman Kingdom and later the Republic. Simultaneously a glorification of Rome and a passionate warning to future Romans, "Ab Urbe Condita" reflects the magnificence and ignominy, the opinions and interests, and the myths and political realities of one of history's most remarkable civilizations. This edition, which is printed on a premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of D. Spillan, collects the first five books of Livy's history beginning with the landing of Aeneas and concluding with the conquest of the Gauls.

The 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant is widely considered as one the most important figures in modern philosophy. His fundamental arguments with regard to the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and aesthetics, have been highly influential and form the basis for much of contemporary thought upon the subjects with which he was concerned. Kant believed that there were fundamental concepts that structured human experience, and that reason principally should guide one's examination of these concepts. Considered one of Kant's most important works, "The Critique of Pure Reason" is an exposition on humanity's faculty for reason in general. First published in 1781, this work builds upon the works of Kant's philosophical predecessors, notably the work of empiricists like John Locke and David Hume and of rationalists like Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Among the principal contributions to philosophy forwarded in this work is the idea that knowledge is both a product of experience, or "a posteriori" and independent of it, or "a priori". Additionally Kant argues that judgments may be "analytical", that they are contained within their own premise, or "synthetic", that they contribute something external to themselves. An enduringly influential work, "The Critique of Pure Reason" remains to this day as one of the most important works of Western philosophy. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of J. M. D. Meiklejohn.

First performed in 1882, Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" is the story of the animosity that can befall someone whose actions, while in the best interest of the public good, threaten the economic well being of a community. The story begins during an evening of entertaining at the household of Dr. Stockmann, the titular "enemy of the people". When the mayor of the town, Dr. Stockmann's brother Peter, and the editor of the town newspaper, Hovstad, come to Dr. Stockmann's home, he is confronted over the rumors that the water of the town baths may be contaminated. The two brothers argue over the morality of concealing or falsely shaping the narrative in regards to the problem. When a letter arrives confirming the contamination, Dr. Stockmann convinces Hovstad that he must publish the report, which sets into motion a great conflict amongst the townspeople over the financial cost of dealing with the contamination. In this tensely dramatic work we find Ibsen at his best in addressing the economic consequences of doing the right thing. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, follows the translation of R. Farquharson Sharp, and includes an introduction by Otto Heller.

Greek poet Hesiod, who lived sometime during the 8th and 7th century B.C., is regarded as one the most important poets of classical antiquity. What little is known of him largely comes from his own epic poetry, in which he unconventionally inserted details of his life. Only three of his works, the "Theogony," "Works and Days," and the "Shield of Heracles" survive to this day in their entirety. The "Theogony" is a foundational work of Greek mythology which concerns the creation of the world and the origins and genealogies of the Greek gods. In synthesizing the variety of local Greek traditions concerning the gods into a single narrative, Hesiod's "Theogony" would give uniformity to his culture's myths in a way that would be highly influential. Also included in this volume is Hesiod's "Works and Days," in which the poet argues that labor is a fundamental condition of human existence and to those who are willing to work success will most surely be achieved. A treatise on the virtue of hard work, "Works and Days" is a didactic poem addressed to his brother Perses, who has squandered his inheritance, and who through bribery has deprived Hesiod of part of his own patrimony. Lastly in this volume is the "Shield of Heracles" a work which details the conflict between the mythological figures of Heracles and Cycnus. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translations of Hugh G. Evelyn-White.

First published serially between January and December of 1878 in the sensationalistic monthly London magazine "Belgravia", Thomas Hardy's "The Return of the Native" is the author's sixth published novel. Set in Egdon Heath, an area of Thomas Hardy's fictionalized Wessex known for the thorny evergreen shrubs, called furze or gorse, which are cut there by its residents for fuel. When the story begins, on Guy Fawkes Night, we find Diggory Venn, a merchant of the red mineral called reddle which farmers use to mark their sheep, giving aid to Thomasin Yeobright, whom he is in love with but has unsuccessfully wooed over the preceding two years. Diggory is helping Thomasin, who is in distress having left town with Damon Wildeve under the false promise of matrimony, return home to her aunt, Mrs. Yeobright. Damon has rebuffed Thomasin in favor of the beautiful young Eustacia Vye. However when Mrs. Yeobright's son Clym, a successful diamond merchant, returns from Paris, Eustacia loses interest in Damon, seeing a relationship with Clym as an opportunity to escape the Heath in favor of a more glamorous and exciting locale. A classically modern novel, "The Return of the Native" presents a world of people struggling between their unfulfilled desires and the expectations of society. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes an introduction by J. W. Cunliffe.

First published in 1912, "Riders of the Purple Sage" is Zane Grey's genre defining novel which has been referred to as "the most popular western novel of all time." Set in the canyon country of southern Utah in 1871, it is the story of Jane Withersteen, a Mormon who has refused the wishes of her father to marry Elder Tull because she does not love him. Jane, whose father has passed away and has inherited his valuable ranch, is persecuted by the Mormon community for her refusal to marry Elder Tull, and for her befriending of cowboy Bern Venters, a non-Mormon. The conflict between Jane and the rest of the community intensifies when a mysterious stranger named Lassiter, who is seeking to avenge the murder of his sister Milly Erne, comes to town. Rich with western detail, set against the backdrop of the Mormon influx into Utah, with a mysterious "Masked Rider", and a gang of rustlers, "Riders of the Purple Sage" played an important role in shaping the formula of popular Western fiction and remains to this day one of its most popular examples. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes illustrations by W. Herbert Dunton.

First published in 1609 "An Introduction to the Devout Life" is Saint Francis de Sales work which belongs to the Christian tradition of "Lectio Divina" or "Divine Reading". Like Thomas à Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ" it is a work intended to provide guidance to the individual desiring spiritual direction in order to lead a more devout life. Based on a series of letters between Francis and his cousin, Madame Marie de Charmoisy, who as the wife of an ambassador of the Duke of Savoy was struggling with the distractions to faith associated with court life, "An Introduction to the Devout Life" was crafted from those original letters into a guide for a more general audience. Through five parts Francis discusses the aspiration to a devout life, the use of prayer and sacraments, the personal characteristics of virtue necessary to the devout life, the challenge of temptation and how to overcome it, and the practices for renewing and confirming the soul in devotion. An immensely popular work of Christian spirituality "An Introduction to the Devout Life" remains as relevant today as when it was first published. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Man in the Iron Mask" represents the final portion of the third installment of the 'D'Artagnan Romances'. Preceded by "The Three Musketeers", the first volume; "Twenty Years After", the second volume; "The Vicomte de Bragelonne", part one of the third volume; "Ten Years Later" part two of the third volume; and "Louise de la Vallière", part three of the third volume; "The Man in the Iron Mask" is a tale that brings to life the mystery of one of the Bastille's most famous prisoners, a man whose identity is hidden behind an iron mask. In this work we find the original three Musketeers in retirement and D'Artagnan in the service of the corrupt Louis XIV. While the identity of the original man in the iron mask is unknown, Dumas constructs his story around the idea that the prisoner is in fact the twin brother of Louis XIV, imprisoned from birth by his father to prevent any conflict over a divided rule of the kingdom. When Aramis learns the secret of the man in the iron mask he devises a plot to replace the King with his twin brother, setting in motion a series of events which draws all the Musketeers back into action. An exciting work of political intrigue and high adventure, "The Man in the Iron Mask" brings to a tragic conclusion the adventures of the Musketeers. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1900, "Sister Carrie" is Theodore Dreiser's classic tale of Caroline "Sister Carrie" Meeber, a young woman living in rural Wisconsin who yearns for a more urban life. She takes the train to Chicago where she is taken in by her older sister Minnie and her husband. Caroline attempts to make her way in Chicago first by obtaining a job in a factory but is quickly confronted with the coarse reality of a working class life. When she becomes ill, and loses her factory job as a consequence, she must find another way to advance her station in life. An opportunity presents itself in the form of Charles H. Drouet, a buoyant traveling salesman whom Caroline first met on the train to Chicago and reencounters after losing her job in the factory. After dining with Drouet, who desires her affection, she is persuaded to move in with him. Caroline discovers that through her beauty she can achieve the material reward that she desires, first through a series of love affairs, and then ultimately by pursuing a career as an actress. Due to its unconventional morality and unromantic depiction of modern life "Sister Carrie" received a mixed response when first published, but since that time has come to be regarded as an American Classic. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1907, "Lord of the World" is the dystopian work of science fiction by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson which depicts the rise of the Anti-Christ and the ensuing end of the world. The novel begins with a prologue set in early 21st century London in which the history of the last century is described. A global rise of Marxism has divided the world up into three power-blocs; a European Confederation of Marxist one-party states, an Eastern Empire comprised of the former Asian and Oceanic countries, and an American Republic comprised of North, South, and Central America. Culture and politics is now dominated by a mix of Marxism, atheism, and secular humanism. As tensions between the European Confederation and the Eastern Empire inch the world ever closer to global war, a dynamic American politician, Vermont Senator Julian Felsenburgh, furiously crisscrosses the globe in charge of the American Republic's peace delegation. Felsenburgh through a wave of populist support and Machiavellian power plays arises to become leader of the world. Simultaneously Father Percy Franklin works against the global disintegration of religious faith. What follows is an apocalyptic conflict between these two dynamically opposed forces. Heralded as prophetic by religious leaders like Pope Francis, "Lord of the World" presents a not implausible dystopian imagination of the end of the world. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1888, "Looking Backward: 2000-1887" is the highly influential work of utopian science fiction by American journalist Edward Bellamy. In the years following the American Civil War a growth in inequality led to an increase in social and economic turmoil. The rise of ever larger and less competitive firms was causing wages to stagnate and created an appetite amongst the populace for solutions to help mitigate the negative effects of an unrestrained and increasingly plutocratic form of capitalism. This appetite gave rise to a popular new literary genre, the utopian socialist novel, of which "Looking Backward" is arguably one of the most famous examples of. It is the story of young Julian West who is induced by hypnosis into a deep 113 year sleep. When he awakes in the year 2000 he finds that America has been transformed into a socialist utopia. Upon waking West readily encounters Doctor Leete, who explains to him what has transpired since he has slept. Society through a combination of technological advancement and the nationalization of the productive capacity of the United States has become a world in which people work together in mutual cooperation and harmony. "Looking Backward" was one of the best-selling novels of the 19th century, one which would inspire a large number of people to promote more socialistic public policies. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes an introduction by Sylvester Baxter.

Originally published in serial form in 1884 to 1885, "Germinal" is Émile Zola's realistic depiction of the coalminers' strike in northern France in the 1860s. In this faithful translation from the original French by Havelock Ellis, the story centers on Étienne Lantier, a young migrant worker who arrives at the coalmining town of Montsou in search of work. Set against a backdrop of extreme poverty and oppression, "Germinal" is the story of the idealistic but naive Étienne, who embraces the ideals of the socialistic movement and goes on to lead a strike of the coalminers with disastrous consequences. In turns harrowing and violent, Zola brilliantly describes scenes of riots and dramatic rescues, while at the same time bringing to life the characters' romances, passions, and frailties. Based on exhaustive research of coalmining and the worker's movement, "Germinal" established Zola as a pioneer of the realist movement. Recognized as one of Zola's masterpieces, "Germinal" would widely become associated with the struggle of the working class and the socialistic movement that dominated the political environment of Europe at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1915, "The Voyage Out", Virginia Woolf's first novel, may be her most accessible. It is a witty social satire that chronicles the maturity of the young Englishwoman Rachel Vinrace as she takes a long voyage to South America from London on her father's ship. Rachel encounters an eclectic array of passengers on the boat and through them Woolf satirizes Edwardian life. This physical passage also becomes a journey of self-discovery for Rachel. She takes both a literal and mythical journey as she enters adulthood and moves from the sheltered world of her upbringing to the wide world full of potential and knowledge. While the novel is witty and satirical, it is also haunting and melancholic, with the beautifully flowing language uniquely characteristic of Woolf's writing. Many of the themes that come to dominate Woolf's later works, such as sexuality, consciousness, and death, are first explored in "The Voyage Out." Rachel's coming-of-age tale is that of the spiritual growth of a young woman that spans continents, a journey that paralleled that of Woolf's own life as she left her repressive upbringing to enter the world of art and intellectualism. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Fully entitled "The Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrims' Progress," Twain's colorful travelogue is a compilation of the newspaper articles he wrote while on a cruise to Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land with other American tourists in 1867. His account frequently uses humor to describe the people and places he visits, although this becomes highly satiric at times as Twain becomes frustrated with European profiteering, a pointless historical anecdote in Gibraltar, and the overly institutionalized nature of countries like Italy. Where he critiques, however, he also feels a strange reverence, as in the Canary Islands and the Holy Land. A more serious theme also flows through Twain's experience. Twain sees the conflict between history and the modern world as he travels with his New World compatriots through the lands of ancient civilizations, ultimately discovering that you can't believe everything you read in travel guidebooks. This landmark work finds Twain searching for the American identity as it increasingly casts its shadow over the world of Old Europe. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper with an Introduction by Edward P. Hingston.

One of the most beloved adventure stories of all time, "Treasure Island" is a swashbuckling tale of the search for hidden treasure. When an old sea captain by the name of Billy Bones dies at the Admiral Benbow Inn on the west coast of England during the mid-1700s, Jim Hawkins, the innkeeper's son, and his mother discover a treasure map among his belongings. Jim shows the map to some local acquaintances, Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney and together they plan an expedition to find the treasure. Together they set sail aboard the "Hispaniola" led by Captain Smollett in search of Treasure Island. Amongst the crew are numerous former pirates, who are led to mutiny by "Long John" Silver, a one-legged Bristol tavern-keeper who has been hired as the ship's cook. Written in the late 19th century, Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" dramatically depicts maritime life, rich with all its perils, in an adventure that investigates the nature of good and evil itself. This edition is illustrated by N. C. Wyeth and is printed on premium acid-free paper.