A prize of 100,000 florins awaits the gardener who can produce a black tulip, a rich reward that incites a deadly competition. Set in 17th-century Holland, this historical novel by the author of The T
One of the greatest classics of modern theater ? the fateful drama of a willful young aristocrat's seduction of her father's valet during a Midsummer's Eve celebration. Inspired by the new ideas of na
Based on the life of Paul Gauguin, The Moon and Sixpence is W. Somerset Maugham's ode to the powerful forces behind creative genius.Charles Strickland is a staid banker, a man of wealth and privilege.
Translated into a dozen languages, printed in hundreds of editions, and read by millions of people, Franklin's autobiography has had an influence perhaps unequaled by any other book by an American wri
Volume 2 of this classic two-part work by the distinguished anthropologist Edward B. Tylor focuses on the social interpretation of animism ? the belief that everything, even an inanimate object, posse
Featuring an international rogues' gallery of authors, this spine-tingling anthology celebrates one of the most popular and enduring literary traditions. Fourteen timeless tales of terror include chil
This original collection of quotations cites approximately 100 well-known African-Americans from all walks of life, including Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, Muhammad Ali, Julian Bond, Georg
A dying sailor boards the Narcissus and acts as a memento mori upon his shipmates, eliciting pity and selfless compassion as well as fear, resentment, and a profound hatred. The powerful narrative technique captures every nuance of atmospheric tension for a compelling study of men's characters under conditions of extreme danger and stress.
Prosperous and socially prominent, George Babbitt appears to have everything. But when a personal crisis forces the middle-aged real estate agent to reexamine his life, Babbitt mounts a rebellion tha
"Ranging from colonial times to the mid-nineteenth century, this compact and inexpensive anthology offers a fascinating overview of early American literature. The authoritative texts are supplemented
Four works by great 19th-century Russian author: "The Nose," a savage satire of Russia's incompetent bureaucrats; "Old-Fashioned Farmers," a pleasant depiction of an elderly couple living in rustic s
This 19th-century literary and philosophical masterpiece introduces the controversial doctrine of the Übermensch, or "superman," a term later perverted by Nazi propagandists. A provocative work,
Here, in a dazzling panoply, are the legendary figures from the age of chivalry: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Robin Hood, Richard the Lionhearted and his crusaders, and a host of ot
Somber tale of consuming passions and vengeance — played out amid the lonely English moors — recounts the turbulent and tempestuous love story of Cathy and Heathcliff. Poignant and compel
Best known as the author of the epic poem Paradise Lost, Milton also excelled at shorter verse forms. This treasury of 20 works includes "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity," "On Shake
From one of the most innovative writers of the 20th century — a splendid collection displaying the author's lively imagination and delicate style. Includes "A Haunted House," "A Society," "An Unwritte
These ancient verses offer a compelling introduction to Buddhist thought, revealing the Four Truths ? concerning the nature of the world and our lot in it ? and the Eightfold Path to enlightenment, th
A landmark in the history of the novel, Oroonoko is among the earliest such works in the English language and its author, Aphra Behn, is often cited as the first professional woman writer. Originally
Epigrams, aphorisms, and other bon mots gathered from the celebrated wit's plays, essays, and conversation offer an entertaining selection of observations both comic and profound. Organized by catego
Ten classics of supernatural fiction by masters of the macabre: Bram Stoker's "The Judge's House," "The Moonlit Road" by Ambrose Bierce, M. R. James' "The Rose Garden," Charles Dickens' "To Be Taken
