Widely regarded as one of the most powerful works of American literature to emerge from World War I, A Farewell to Arms follows Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver serving in the Italian army, as he falls in love with Catherine Barkley, an English nurse. Against the brutal backdrop of the Italian campaign, their romance deepens, becoming a temporary refuge from the senseless violence of war.The semi-autobiographical story follows Frederic Henry, an American ambula...

Henry Morgan, a boy living a quiet life on a Welsh farm, is inspired to leave home and seek his fortune in the West Indies by the colorful tales of a pirate returning from sea. As he rises to become a famous buccaneer captain, Morgan pursues two ultimate prizes: the vast riches of Panama City, known as the "Cup of Gold," and the legendary "Red Saint," a woman rumored to be fairer than the sun. A Cup of Gold leads readers on a romantic adventure full of idealism and disillu...

A practical joke gone chillingly, murderously wrong sets the stage for this 1929 Agatha Christie secret-society thriller. When a group of houseguests hides eight alarm clocks to wake a champion sleeper, they discover a dead body and a missing clock—a revelation that plunges them into a chilling plot of international significance.The mystery, however, is propelled not by the famous detective Hercule Poirot, but by the fiery and feisty Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent, a y...

When his partner is killed while on a case, Sam Spade is plunged into the hunt for a priceless, gem-encrusted statuette known as the Maltese Falcon, a legendary artifact coveted by a cast of deceitful characters, including the enigmatic Brigid O'Shaughnessy and the opportunistic Joel Cairo. The Maltese Falcon is a masterclass in ambiguity and moral complexity, establishing Sam Spade as the quintessential detective antihero who operates in a world where truth is an elusive ...

Now, as in this lifetime, cab drivers, statesmen, academics, and raggedy-assed children sit spellbound at his feet. No wonder, then, if the pairing of Holmes and Watson has triggered more imitators than any other duo in literature.”-John Le Carré“The immense talent, passion and literary brilliance that Conan Doyle brought to his work gives him a unique place in English letters.”-Stephen Fry”Holmes has a timeless talent, passion and literary brilliance that puts him heads, s...

Using architecture, sculpture, culture and history, Adams humanizes the medieval period and provides valuable insight on religious philosophy. Mont-Saint Michel and Chartes provides a background and description of the construction of two French landmarks built in the 11th century. The Mont-Saint Michel cathedral was built during a militant time; it was not enough to simply be steadfast in one’s own beliefs, but also to make others believe them. Religious conversio...

These tales of the man-cub, Mowgli, and fables of the clever creatures of the wild, like the mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, still brim with the adventure, camaraderie, and beloved characters that have endeared them to readers for more than 125 years.Rudyard Kipling’s elegantly written short tales alternate with his memorable verse as he brings the wild world of the Indian jungle to vivid life. The interaction of the quirky animal characters is amusing and enlightening ...

The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights (1787-1789) is a foundational document of American democracy. Written by delegates attending the Constitutional Convention, a gathering intended to revise the system of government established under the Articles of Confederation, The Constitution of the United States was ratified in 1788 before becoming effecting in 1789. Nearly two and a half centuries old, it is the oldest continually enforced national constitution in the...

When King Richard the Lionheart’s health began to decline, the English leader organized a truce with the leader of the Islamic forces, Saladin. Agreeing to cease the battles on the condition that Jerusalem would be under Muslim control, the two leaders gave orders to their troops to return to their homes. However, Sir Kenneth, a Scottish knight, was in the search of a certain monk rather than his home when he encounters Emir, a cavalryman for Saladin’s forces. At first distrustful of each ...

As a young woman, Anne Shirley is embracing adulthood by becoming a productive member of society making the transition from imaginative student to respected schoolteacher. In this classic coming of age story, Anne navigates various challenges that tempt old habits and test her new maturity.A now 16-year-old Anne continues to live with Marilla in the quaint farming town of Avonlea. While poised to start a new teaching position, Anne struggles to balance responsibili...

Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (1878) is a novel by Toru Dutt. Published the year after her death at the age of 21, Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden is a heartfelt work of romance by a pioneering figure in Indian history and Bengali literature.“A funeral procession was winding slowly up the path; two mourners followed the coffin; the church yard was in a lonely place; so there were no half-curious, half-sympathising people following. It ...

The Aeneid of Virgil (19 BC) is an epic poem by Roman poet Virgil. Virgil’s legendary epic is the story of the hero Aeneas, a castaway from Troy whose adventures across the Mediterranean led him to Italy, where he discovered what would later become the city of Rome. Presented here in an accessible prose translation, The Aeneid of Virgil is a treasure of classical literature and a story of romance, war, and adventure to rival the best of Homer. Fleeing the destruction of T...