This collection, spanning four centuries of English wit, wisdom, and common sense, contains the thoughts of a number of renowned masters of the essay. From Francis Bacon–the English author who reputedly imported the genre from France, to literary critic, mystery writer, and social commentator G. K. Chesterton, more than twenty writers express their views on such subjects as walking, writing, traveling, sleeping, pets, friends, and childhood. Inc ...
"To buy books would be a good thing," observed Arthur Schopenhauer, «if we also could buy the time to read them.» All devoted readers long for more time to spend with their books, and the next best thing to buying time is making the most of the available moments. Great Short Short Stories: Quick Reads by Great Writers offers that opportunity. An outstanding collection of 30 brilliant short stories, each just six or fewer pages in length, it ...
This outstanding anthology of short verse offers poetry lovers an impressive sampling of more than 150 masterpieces spanning over 400 years of English and American literary history. Although short in length (the longest are 24 lines, most 16 lines or less), these poems are long on beauty, power, imagination, and originality.Included are such memorable compositions as John Donne's «Death Be Not Proud,» Shakespeare's «When, in Disgrace w ...
Superb treasury of time-honored poetic gems includes Lewis Carroll's «The Walrus and the Carpenter,» Edward Lear's «The Owl and the Pussy-Cat,» Eugene Field's «Wynken, Blynken and Nod,» Emily Dickinson's «I’m Nobody! Who are you?,» Robert Louis Stevenson's «The Swing,» many more. Printed in large, easy-to-read type. ...
What would Christmas be without such charming and heartwarming poems as «A Visit from St. Nicholas»? That famous poem, also known as «The Night Before Christmas,» is only one of the many sparkling highlights of this festive collection, a rich and varied compilation of yuletide verse that will enchant readers of all ages.These poems range from serious seasonal reflections by Martin Luther («From Heaven Above to Earth I Come») and John Milton («On ...
Over 400 quotations, some more familiar than others, but all thoughtfully and precisely expressed. Includes such timeless observations as «A true friend is one soul in two bodies» (Aristotle) and «Friendship is like money, easier made than kept» (Samuel Butler). Also, thought-provoking reflections by Socrates, Confucius, Mark Twain, Dorothy Parker, Ambrose Bierce, and many others. ...
The relative peace and prosperity of the Elizabethan age (1558–1603) fostered the growth of one of the most fruitful eras in literary history. Lyric poetry, prose, and drama flourished in sixteenth-century England in works that blended medieval traditions with Renaissance optimism.This anthology celebrates the wit and imaginative creativity of the Elizabethan poets with a generous selection of their graceful and sophisticated verse. Hi ...
The great documents in this important collection helped form the foundation of American democratic government. Compelling, influential, and often inspirational, they range from Patrick Henry's dramatic «Give me liberty or give me death» speech at the start of the American Revolution to Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, issued in the closing weeks of the Civil War. Also included are the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jeff ...
The great Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross became a Carmelite monk in 1563 and helped St. Teresa of Avila to reform the Carmelite order — enduring persecution and imprisonment for his efforts. Both in his writing and in his life, he demonstrated eloquently his love for God. His written thoughts on man's relationship with God were literacy endeavors that placed him on an intellectual and philosophical level with such great writ ...
