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A Book of Bargains
This is a volume of short horror stories by American-born short story writer, poet and critic Vincent O’Sullivan. Sometimes considered the last of the decadents, O’Sullivan was a notable literary figure of his time, a friend of Oscar Wilde, and a favourite of many critics. The stories in the Book of Bargains are all of them notable horror stories, each involving a bargain with the devil – either explicitly or figuratively. – Summary by Carolin
A Book of Christian Sonnets by William Ferneley Allen
A collection of such distinct, separate little poems,—mostly written within a recent period,—and not mingled with other forms of poetry,—constitutes this little volume.
A Book of Discovery
Telling the history of geographical discoveries, “Book of Discovery” is a record of splendid endurance, of hardships bravely borne, of silent toil, of courage and resolution unequalled in the annals of mankind, of self-sacrifice unrivalled and faithful lives laid ungrudgingly down. Of the many who went forth, the few only attained. It is of these few that this book tells. (From the Preface of the book).
A Book of English Martyrs
This volume is a simple narrative suited to children’s understanding of the thrilling times when English Catholics suffered for the Faith in the troubled days of the sixteenth century, when Tyburn tree was a concrete fact, and when ardent love hurled the defiance, “Come rack! Come rope!” Martyrs lay and cleric are here commemorated. The Carthusians, Houghton, Lawrence, Webster; the Jesuits, Campion, Sherwin, Southwell; the secular priests, Hart, Lacey, Ingleby; the countess of Salisbury, mother of Cardinal Pole; the Chancellor of England Blessed Thomas More, Philip Earl of Arundel, and Margaret Clitherow, harborer of priests. Their stories are told whenever possible in the words of records of the time (Summary from America Magazine, Volume 14, 1916)
A Book of Fairy Tales
This is a collection of fairy tales, retold by Sabine Baring-Gould. The collection contains such well-known stories as Cinderella and the Beauty and the Beast, but also tales which are now not as widely known, such as the Yellow Dwarf and the White Cat. – Summary by Carolin
A Book of Fairy-Tale Bears
Bears make an appearance in so many fairy tales and fables, it is difficult to imagine a fairy-tale world without them. However, in most of those fairy tales, the bear is just a side-character. In this volume, Clifton Johnson has collected 18 stories in which the bear takes a lead role. – Summary by Carolin
A Book of Fairy-Tale Foxes
Wild animals play a big role in many fairy tales, and foxes are some of the best-represented animals in folklore. In this volume, Clifton Johnson has collected stories about foxes from all over the world, adapted for children as bedtime fairy tales. – Summary by Carolin
A Book of Giants
Tales of very tall men of myth, legend, history, and science (Subtitle of Book) – Summary by Henry Wysham Lanier
A Book of Myths
This is a collection of myths–mostly Greek with a smattering of others from the east–written in a clear and easy-to-read style. Lang complemented each myth with poetry by other authors who, like her, were inspired by these ancient stories of the gods. Lang chose these stories because they portrayed heroic gods, faithfully and blindly worshipped by man. Ultimately, however, these gods demonstrated the same frailties as humans, and were found to be just as corrupt. Still, as Lang said, in spite of this these myths portrayed “a wonderful humanity that strikes a vibrant cord . . . .” This is significant to a deeper understanding of the collection as it was published in 1914 against the backdrop of the first world war, the war to end all wars–a war that doomed millions of common men to suffer “Promethean agonies,” and die on battlefields in a most un-heroic way. As you listen to the narration, compare the gods of myth–with all their human frailties–to the 20th century, god-like European leaders who traded the wonderful innocence of humanity for the notion of “a noble cause.” – Summary by James K. White
A Book of Nonsense
In 1846 Lear published A Book of Nonsense, a volume of limericks that went through three editions and helped popularize the form. This book contains 112 of these funny, imaginative verses that have been well loved by many generations of children (and adults). ( Summary by Phil Chenevert )
A Book of Old English Ballads
In this selection… the aim has been to bring within moderate compass a collection of these songs of the people which should fairly represent the range, the descriptive felicity, the dramatic power, and the genuine poetic feeling of a body of verse which is still, it is to be feared, unfamiliar to a large number of those to whom it would bring refreshment and delight. (Summary from introduction)
A Book of Scoundrels
An ironic history of British criminals, mostly pre-Victorian pickpockets, highwaymen and thieves. Here we meet Moll Cutpurse the Queen of thieves, Jonathan Wild the Thief-taker General, Captain Hind the gallant highwayman and many others. The book begins with an essay on the artistic achievements of thievery followed by a sequence of short biographies. Summary by Greg Lewin
A Book of Sibyls: Mrs. Barbauld, Miss Edgeworth, Mrs. Opie, Miss Austen
This book is a biography of four woman authors whose names were well known by readers at the time of its publication (1883) : Anna Barbaud, Maria Edgeworth, Amelia Opie, and Jane Austen. Though most of us today are only familiar with the writings of Austen, all four of these women are well worth taking the time to get to know. The author, Anne Thackeray Ritchie, was the eldest daughter of William Makepeace Thackeray. – Summary by Ciufi Galeazzi
A Book of Twenty-four Sonnets
This is a collection of 24 sonnets by Laurens Maynard. This rather unknown poet brings many classical themes into this volume, with biblical figures beginning the circle and then in somewhat chronological order arriving in the poet’s present day (1894) life. All readers should find a sonnet to their tastes in this collection. – Summary by Carolin
A Book of Whales
A Book of Whales is a natural history of whales for the layman. – Summary by A. Gramour
A Bouquet of Flowers by Dr. Krishna Saksena
The human life that we get after many births is priceless. It has to be spent in a very careful manner. Shakespeare words ‘that life does not mean anything’, does not stand. Nature is a very important part of our lives.
A Brief History of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps by Sir Edward Hutton
This abridged history of the Regiment has been prepared by certain members of the History Committee, and edited by the Chairman.
The Chairman (Lieut.-General Sir Edward Hutton) is indebted to the following members of the Regimental History Committee:—Major-General Astley Terry, Major the Hon. C. Sackville-West, Captain Hereward Wake, and also to Colonel Horatio Mends for the contribution, wholly or in part, of Part I, Sec. 3; Part II, Secs. 4 and 5; Part III, Secs. 9 and 10; and Part III, Secs. 7 and 8 respectively.
The existing short history, written by Major-General Astley Terry and Colonel Mends and published with the Standing Orders of the Regiment, has been taken as a basis.
A Brief History of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers by T. C. (Theophilus Charles) Noble
To my brother Ironmongers, “root and branch,” I dedicate this “brief history” of our ancient Guild. Notwithstanding the innumerable facts printed in the following pages, the work must only be considered as an historical essay upon the tenth of the twelve “great” Livery Companies of the City of London.
A Budget of Christmas Tales by Charles Dickens and Others by Herbert W. Collingwood et al.
First compiled and published in the year 1859, the present book is a collection of classic short stories written by many of the best writers of the 19th century in Europe on the theme of Christmas.
A bunch of keys, where they were found and what they might have unlocked – A Christmas book
This is a little collection of short stories, written by different authors and published in 1865. It is a Christmas book, and the stories will make you feel an old-fashioned Christmas spirit. All stories relate to a key that opens something, be it a door, a box, or a heart. – Summary by Carolin
A Capillary Crime, and Other Stories by Francis Davis Millet
NEAR the summit of the hill in the Quartier Montmartre, Paris, is a little street in which the grass grows between the paving-stones, as in the avenues of some dead old Italian city. Tall buildings border it for about one third its length, and the walls of tiny gardens, belonging to houses on adjacent streets, occupy the rest of its extent. It is a populous thoroughfare, but no wheels pass through it, for the very good reason that near the upper end it suddenly takes a short turn, and shoots up the hill at an incline too steep for a horse to climb.
A Captive of the Roman Eagles by Felix Dahn
Whoever has been at Friedrichshafen on beautiful Lake Constance, on a clear August day, and watched the sun setting in splendor behind the tops of the beeches of Manzell; whoever has seen the waves of the lake and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps from Sentis to the Allgau Mountains glow in the crimson light, while the notes of the Ave Maria float softly over forest, meadow, and water, will treasure the memory of the peaceful scene throughout his whole life.
A Cello For Bihar by Dr. Rakesh Chopra
The year was 1950. Khem Rao was just another child born in a remote farming village in Bihar. His life’s script was expected to be no different to anyone else born under the same circumstances. However, destiny had other plans.
This book charts the course of his extraordinary life and his prodigious music talent. This is a story of hardship. Of trial and tribulations. Of the hand of fate. Of hope and achievement. Of love and heartbreak.
His life exemplifies that it matters little from where you start, but where you finish.
A Cello for Bihar by Rakesh Chopra
1950 was the year. Khem Rao was just another child born in rural Bihar on a hot Indian summer day. It was a poor farming village and his life’s script was expected to be no different to anyone else born into such circumstances. However, destiny had other plans.
This book charts the course of his extraordinary life. His childhood and youth are full of twists and turns. He gets orphaned and then kidnapped.
His escape lands him on a ship and there his prodigious musical talent meets its mentors.
This is a story of adversity and the hand of fate. Of love and heartbreak. Of trial and tribulations. Of turmoil and triumph.
Of talent, hope and achievement.
It exemplifies that it matters little where you start but where you finish.
A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
First published in the year 1885, the present book ‘A Child’s Garden of Verses’ is a collection of children’s poetry written by famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson. The poems are written in the style of pre-realism era, and depict real time situations with utmost innocence on behalf of children.
A Child’s Guide to Pictures by Charles H. Caffin
But it is not this view of pictures that we are going to talk about in the present book. I shall have very little to say about the subjects of pictures—partly because you can find out for yourselves what subjects interest you; but mostly, because the subject of a picture has so very little to do with its beauty as a work of art. For it is this view of a picture, as being a work of art, that I shall try to keep before you.
A Child’s History of England by Charles Dickens
A Child’s History of England is a book by Charles Dickens. It first appeared in serial form in Household Words, running from 25 January 1851 to 10 December 1853.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens.
A Christmas Carol in Prose; Being a Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens
Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it: and Scrooge’s name was good upon ’Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.
Mind! I don’t mean to say that I know, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a door-nail. I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country’s done for. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail.
A Christmas Miscellany
A selection of eight short works, chapters, or poems about Christmas. – Summary by david wales
A Christmas Miscellany 2020
Nine stories, chapters, or essays about Christmas or around Christmas. – Summary by David Wales
A Code for the Government of Armies in the Field by Francis Lieber
A Code For the Government of Armies in the Field’ was printed as manuscript for the Board appointed by the Secretary of War “To propose amendments or changes in the rules and articles of war, and a code of regulations for the government of armies in the field, as authorized by the Laws and Usages of War.” Francis Lieber, Member of the Board, is recognized as the author of this document, which was published in February, 1863.
A Collection of Beatrix Potter Stories by Beatrix Potter
ONCE upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were—
Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.
They lived with their Mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fir tree.
“NOW, my dears,” said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, “you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.”
A Collection of Stories, Reviews and Essays by Willa Cather
“No, Antone, I have told thee many times, no, thou shalt not sell it until I am gone.”
“But I need money; what good is that old fiddle to thee? The very crows laugh at thee when thou art trying to play. Thy hand trembles so thou canst scarce hold the bow. Thou shalt go with me to the Blue to cut wood to-morrow. See to it thou art up early.”
A Colonial Reformer, Vol. III (of 3) by Rolf Boldrewood
“In the strange exceptional condition of nervous tension up to which that marvellous instrument, the human ‘harp of a thousand strings,’ is capable of being wound, under the pressure of dread and perplexity, there is a type of visitor whose face is always hailed with pleasure. This is a fact as unquestionable as the converse proposition. For the bien-venu under such delicate and peculiar circumstances, helpfulness, sympathy, and decision are indispensable. of no avail are weakly condolences or mild assenting pity. The power to dispense substantial aid may or may not be wanting. But the friend in need must have the moral power and clearness of mental vision which render decisiveness possible and just. His fiat, favourable or unfavourable, lets in the light, separates real danger from undefined terror, offers security for well-grounded hope, or persuades to the calmness of resignation.” -an excerpt
A Comic History of the United States by Livingston Hopkins
A Comic History of the United States” by Livingston Hopkins. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre.
A Common-Sense View of the Mind Cure by Laura M. Westall
A Common-Sense View Of The Mind Cure uses New Thought to assist you in your daily life. It covers things like the nervous system, the brain, pain, attention, imagination, and emotions, and finishes off with some tips for practical applications.
A Commonplace Book of Thoughts, Memories, and Fancies. by Mrs. Jameson
Imust be allowed to say a few words in explanation of the contents of this little volume, which is truly what its name sets forth—a book of common-places, and nothing more. If I have never, in any work I have ventured to place before the public, aspired to teach, (being myself a learner in all things,) at least I have hitherto done my best to deserve the indulgence I have met with; and it would pain me if it could be supposed that such indulgence had rendered me presumptuous or careless.
A Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms by Samuel Fallows
A complete dictionary of synonyms and antonyms… with an appendix embracing a dictionary of Briticisms, Americanisms, colloquial phrases, etc. … By the Rt. Rev. Samuel Fallows.
A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
Since the “Boke of St. Albans” was written, into the heraldic portion of which the author managed to compress an unconscionable amount of rubbish, books and treatises on the subject of Armory have issued from the press in a constant succession. A few of them stand a head and shoulders above the remainder. The said remainder have already sunk into oblivion. Such a book as “Guillim” must of necessity rank in the forefront of any armorial bibliography; but any one seeking to judge the Armory of the present day by the standards and ethics adopted by that writer, would find himself making mistake after mistake, and led hopelessly astray. There can be very little doubt that the “Display of Heraldry” is an accurate representation of the laws of Armory which governed the use of Arms at the date the book was written; and it correctly puts forward the opinions which were then accepted concerning the past history of the science.
A Concise Dictionary of Middle English from A.D. 1150 to 1580 by Walter W. Skeat; A. L. Mayhew
A Concise Dictionary of Middle English which consists of vocabulary used frequently from A.D. 1150 to 1580. This can serve both as a guide to understand the meaning of certain vocabs written in old books and to study the old style of English language system.
A Confederate Girl’s Diary
Sarah Morgan Dawson was a young woman of 20 living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when she began this diary. The American Civil War was raging. Though at first the conflict seemed far away, it would eventually be brought home to her in very personal terms. Her family’s loyalties were divided. Sarah’s father, though he disapproved of secession, declared for the South when Louisiana left the Union. Her eldest brother, who became the family patriarch when his father died in 1861, was for the Union, though he refused to take up arms against his fellow Southerners. The family owned slaves, some of whom are mentioned by name in this diary. Sarah was devoted to the Confederacy, and watched with sorrow and indignation its demise. Her diary, written from March 1862 to June 1865, discourses on topics as normal as household routines and romantic intrigues to those as unsettling as concern for her brothers who fought in the war. Largely self-taught, she describes in clear and inviting prose, fleeing Baton Rouge during a bombardment, suffering a painful spinal injury when adequate medical help was unavailable, the looting of her home by Northern soldiers, the humiliation of life under General Butler in New Orleans, and dealing with privations and displacement in a region torn by war. She was a child of her time and place. Her inability to see the cruelty and indignity of slavery grates harshly on the modern ear. Regardless of how one feels about the Lost Cause, however, Sarah’s diary provides a valuable historical perspective on life behind the lines of this bitter conflict. (Introduction by Christine Dufour)
A Confession (Version 2)
Leo Tolstoy’s “A Confession,” written in 1882 shortly after a life-altering spiritual crisis, is a brutally sincere reflection on life, morality, and the nature of faith. Tolstoy describes in great detail the process by which he lost his faith in established Christian churches, the meaninglessness of wealth and fame, the agony of acute depression, and how he overcame misery and dread through personal study of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Along the way, he contrasts the artificial faith and arrogance of educated people with the genuine faith and humility of the Russian peasant. This work, and others of its ilk, were aggressively censored by the Tsarist regime and directly led to Tolstoy being excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church. Summary by Paul Rizik.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
Come and hear the strange tale of The Boss Hank Morgan, a modern day (at the time of publication) Connecticut Yankee who inexplicably finds himself transported to the court of the legendary King Arthur (as the title of the book implies). Hank, or simply, The Boss, as he comes to be most frequently known, quickly uses his modern day knowledge and education to pass himself off as a great magician, to get himself out of all sorts of surprising, (and frequently amusing) situations, as well as to advance the technological and cultural status of the nation in which he finds himself. In the rather un-subtle sub-text of the story, Twain uses The Boss to express a surprisingly pragmatic and frequently contradictory philosophy. The Boss explores the relative merits of Democracy, and Monarchy, he expresses his views on the ?Nature v. Nurture? debate, he frequently speaks forcefully against an established Church, but just as strongly advocates for religion and a variety of churches (just not a compulsory one) and he devotes at least one afternoon to introducing his companions to the concept of inflation. In a far more subtle, yet no less forceful manner, the Boss shares with the reader some views about taxation, slavery (both literal and wage slavery), trade unions, the origins of the German language, the nature of marriage, and probably most powerfully, death. It is a tall order for a relatively brief text, but Twain manages it all with surprising clarity. No one will agree fully with the Boss on all of these matters, and I would be surprised if Twain himself would. In fact the Boss?s views are so pragmatic, and often contradictory, the reader is left to wonder if Twain himself is alternately speaking through the Boss, and setting him up as a straw man. Either way it is a delightful story and a great piece of American Literature, to say nothing of an excellent argument for education. (Review written by Steve Andersen)
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (version 2)
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court is an 1889 novel by American humorist and writer Mark Twain. The work is a very early example of time travel in literature, anticipating by six years H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine of 1895 (however, unlike Wells, Twain does not give any real explanation of his protagonist’s traveling in time). Some early editions are entitled A Yankee at the Court of King Arthur. (Summary by Wikipedia)
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
First published in the year 1889, the present book ‘A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court’ was written by famous American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer – Mark Twain. The story follows a Yankee engineer from Connecticut, who is accidentally transported back in time to the court of King Arthur, where he fools the inhabitants of that time into thinking that he is a magician, and soon uses his knowledge of modern technology to become a “magician” in earnest, stunning the English of the Early Middle Ages with such feats as demolitions, fireworks, and the shoring up of a holy well. He attempts to modernize the past, but in the end he is unable to prevent the death of Arthur and an interdict against him by the Catholic Church of the time, which grows fearful of his power.
A Constructive Parliamentarian by Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has dedicated over sixty years of his life in service of the country. He served the country as member of Parliament for five decades and as Prime Minister of India for six years. He is an orator par excellence, whose speeches are listened with attention by friends and foes inside and outside Parliament. He used the Parliament as an educational forum as well as political weapon and enhanced the prestige of parliamentary institution. He did not mince words when criticism is due or warning necessary. But his criticism has not hurt his opponents. His sharp intellect and wit is almost tailor-made for parliamentary debate. Shri Vajpayee often rises above party politics and gives primacy to national interest over political consideration, and he always appreciated well taken Opposition point of view.
As a Prime Minister he also proved to be an achiever par excellence. He gave nuclear dimension to India’s military power without fear of sanctions but also established close friendly relations with President Clinton of the U.S. and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan. Even after the Kargil betrayal he extended the hand of friendship to General Musharaf and took steps to establish cordial relations with China and other neighbours in tune with his words “I can change history but not geography”. His domestic achievements were starting highway quadrangle with rural road connectivity, Chandrayan programme, linking rivers to solve irrigation and flood problems, cheap and speedy communi-cation system and establishing ‘Sagar Mala’ to connect 4000 kms. of coast-line. He made India a food grain exporter, a major out-sourcing country and enriched the country with over billion dollar foreign exchange reserves.
However his constructive role as a Parliamentarian is hidden in the documents of Parliament and is not so well-known. He introduced 22 Bills in all including 20 when in opposition of which nine were Constitutional Amendment Bills and 2 when he was the Foreign Minister of India. They show his painstaking exercise in strengthening the democratic foundation of our country, his deep concern for health and welfare of the people, faith in independence of judiciary, taming money power in elections and above all human touch towards weak and handicapped people. The fact that some Bills were accepted or rejected or could not come for discussion and lapsed because of dissolution of Parliament is of little significance.