Classic Literature

A classic of adventure travel, this landmark of natural history is also a cornerstone in the development of evolutionary theory. The Beagle departed from England in 1831 on a voyage to map the coast of South America. Its two-year itinerary stretched into five years, and the ship's naturalist, young Charles Darwin, made the observations that led to his concept of natural selection. Darwin based many of his conclusions upon his study of the unique creatures of the Galápagos: marine and land iguana... more info>>

Nora Helmer, wife to Torvald and mother of three children, appears to enjoy living the life of a pampered, indulged child. But as her economic dependence becomes brutally clear, Nora's acceptance of the status quo undergoes a profound change. To the horror of the bewildered Torvald, himself caught in the tight web of a conservative society which demands that he exert strict control, Nora comes to see that the only possible true course of action is to leave the family home.

Suddenly projected to Mars, John Carter found himself captive of the savage green men of Thark. With him was Dejah Thoris, lovely Princess of Helium. And between them and rescue lay a thousand miles of deadly enemies and unknown dangers.

Cast in the form of a walking tour through Germany, Switzerland, France, and Italy, Mark Twain's account of traveling in Europe (1880) sparkles with his shrewd observations and highly opinionated comments on Old World culture. A Tramp Abroad showcases Twain's unparalleled ability to integrate humorous sketches, autobiographical tidbits, and historical anecdotes in a consistently entertaining narrative.

Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Gaol (pronounced "jail") in 1895 after losing a criminal suit instigated against him by the Marquess of Queensberry (of boxing rules fame) for moral offenses against the marquess's son. The two-year imprisonment left the incredibly gifted and witty Wilde a broken man, bankrupt and ill. He left England for France where he remained until his death in 1900 at the age of 46. It was there that he wrote perhaps his most famous work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol. The... more info>>

It is in this, the second Holmes novel, that the great detective comes fully to life--not only as a melancholic and an inscrutable master of deduction, but also as an incurable drug addict. "Which is it today?" Watson asks Holmes matter-of-factly on the opening page of the novel, "morphine or cocaine?" "It is cocaine," Holmes famously replies. "A seven-per-cent. solution. Would you like to try it?" Mary Morstan comes to Holmes in the hope that he will be able to solve a mystery. Ten years earlie... more info>>

A marvelous, incisive social satire that gleefully exposes the greed and corruption raging in England during the turmoil of the Napoleonic wars through its tracing of the changing fortunes of two unforgettable women. It is a comic masterpiece that still resonates today.

Perhaps no other novel in this century has had a greater impact upon the way we think and talk about our world than George Orwell's classic, 1984. "Big Brother," "doublespeak," and "the thought police" have become part of our everyday lexicon, and the term "Orwellian" has become a familiar adjective for any situation-real or imagined-where conformity is compulsory and where someone always seems to be watching. Orwell's novel also has the distinction of being, along with Aldous Huxley's Brave N... more info>>

A satiric short story, told in the form of letters, about a series of mishaps that occur to people living in a Parisian boarding house.

Ebenezer Scrooge is back, but his are not the only ghosts that haunt this collection of holiday favorites. A collection of classic Dickens Holiday tales. No one can tug at the heartstrings like Dickens. Includes: A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Tree, What Christmas Is as We Grow Older, A Poor Relation's Story, A Schoolboy's Story, and Nobody's Story. Those who think Tiny Tim is a long haired guy with a ukulele really need to read this book!

These four fairy tales from Oscar Wilde weave magical, mythical, and mystical stories of Princes, Princesses, mermaids and Star-Children. Is it any wonder? Wilde wrote these tales were for Cyril and Vyvyan, his young sons. They are fairy tales that teach lessons, but their lessons are unique. Each reader will find a different message, as well as beautiful images and the language of poetry.

Published in 1908, A Room with a View is one of E. M. Forster's most celebrated works. Forster explores love among a cast of eccentric characters gathered in an Italian pension and in a corner of Surrey, England. Caught up in a world of social snobbery, Lucy Honeychurch must make a decision that will decide the course of her future: She is forced to choose between convention and passion.

Charles Dickens' compelling portrait of the results of terror and treason, love and supreme sacrifice continues to captivate readers around the world. With Frank Muller's brilliant performance, unforgettable characters--the ever-knitting Madame Defarge, the lovely Lucie Manette, her broken father, the honorable Charles Darnay, and the sometimes scurrilous Sydney Carton--burst from the pages, full of life and passion.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: After spotting a white rabbit with a pocket watch run by her, Alice follows it to a rabbit hole and goes in. Immediately, she is falling deep beneath the earth and discovers a room filled with doors of all sizes. Upon entering one of them, she is whisked away to a magical place where she meets all sorts of spectacular creatures and animals, and has an adventure she will never forget. Through the Looking-Glass: Alice enters a mirror world of her own and soon dis... more info>>

Ancient Rome, AD 408: Young Antonia had the misfortune to live in interesting times--the days when mighty Rome was brought low by the terror of the Goths.

Thirty-nine samples of poetic verse from the brilliant mind of Rudyard Kipling, including "Gunga Din," "Fuzzy-Wuzzy," "Danny Deever," and "Mandalay."

While Candide is without a doubt a farcical, humorous, and far-fetched tale, a seriousness lies beneath its satirical veneer. Candide is the story of an innocent young man embarking on a series of adventures during which he discovers much evil in the world. Throughout his journey Candide believes in and adheres to the philosophy of his teacher, Pangloss, that "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds." This philosophy was prevalent during Voltaire's day, and Candide is Voltaire's s... more info>>

Conrad's most technically ambitious work is a psychologically penetrating portrait of a young woman's transformation from a vulnerable, almost tragic figure to a self-respecting woman--and Conrad's only novel to feature a female protagonist.

Rachel Innes rents a summer house that is full of hidden rooms and sinister happenings. Chilling horror, romance and rollicking humor permeate this story of how a middle-aged spinster lost her mind, deserted her domestic gods in the city, took a furnished house for the summer out of town, and found herself involved in one of those mysterious crimes that keep our newspapers and detective agencies happy and prosperous.

O. Henry's short, simple stories are noted for their careful plotting, ironic coincidences, and surprise endings. Contents: The Red Roses of Tonia; Round the Circle; The Rubber Plant's Story; Out of Nazareth; Confessions of a Humorist; The Sparrows in Madison Square; Hearts and Hands; The Cactus; The Detective Detector; The Dog and the Playlet; A Little Talk About Mobs; The Snow Man.

Among the Focus on the Family Great Stories collection, David Copperfield is a perennial favorite. In this story of an innocent orphan making his way in an uncaring world, Dickens draws a gallery of memorable characters into young David's life, such as jovial Mr. Micawber and the sniveling, sinister Uriah Heep. Joe Wheeler's introduction and discussion questions provide additional clarity for today's reader. David Copperfield, with its message of hope amidst harsh reality, has been called the gr... more info>>

Emma Woodhouse thinks she is a natural matchmaker but, in the opinion of George Knightley, her brother-in-law, she is little more than a meddler. See Emma make hash out of people's prospects, lives, and social standing This book is a fascinating glimpse into the marriage market of early 19th-century England. From THE original Regency Romance writer!

Set in the 1920s, Glimpses of the Moon details the romantic misadventures of Nick Lansing and Susy Branch, a couple with the right connections but not much in the way of funds. They devise a shrewd bargain: they'll marry and spend a year or so sponging off their wealthy friends, honeymooning in their mansions and villas. As Susy explains, "We should really, in a way, help more than hamper each other. We both know the ropes so well; what one of us didn't see the other might--in the way of opportu... more info>>

In Conrad's haunting tale, Marlow, a seaman and wanderer, recounts his physical and psychological journey in search of the enigmatic Kurtz. Traveling to the heart of the African continent, he discovers how Kurtz has gained his position of power and influence over the local people. Marlow's struggle to fathom his experience involves him in a radical questioning of not only his own nature and values but the nature and values of his society.

A chance acquaintance brings together the prosperous bourgeois Wilcox family and the clever, cultured, and idealistic Schlegel sisters. As clear-eyed Margaret develops a friendship with Mrs. Wilcox, the impetuous Helen brings into their midst a young bank clerk named Leonard Bast, who lives at the edge of poverty and ruin. When Mrs. Wilcox dies, her family discovers that she wants to leave her country home, Howards End, to Margaret. Thus Forster sets in motion a chain of events that will entangl... more info>>