Böcker utgivna av Digireads.com

"George Washington's Rules of Civility" by Moncure D. Conway, first published in 1890, is a study of the history of the 110 principles or maxims which were written out by hand by George Washington as a young man and preserved in the Washington archives. These principles were copied out by Washington in 1745 and were titled "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". They are guidelines by which proper and decent people should abide and include instruction on proper dress, how to behave in pleasant company, general manners and courtesies, and how to act in formal situations. Washington was deeply influenced by these rules and his character throughout his adult life was defined by their insistence on proper decorum and courtesy. Conway traces the history of these guidelines and in his exhaustive research finds their origin in a French treatise published in 1595. The maxims were then translated into Latin and eventually published in English in 1640. The author researches Washington's early education and posits how and by whom the future leader may have been introduced to these influential and formative principles. Conway's "George Washington's Rules of Civility" provides an important historical context to the influences that shaped the character of America's first president. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Secret Sharer and Other Stories" is a collection of seafaring tales by famed author Joseph Conrad. In "The Secret Sharer", a nameless captain discovers a stow-away clinging to the side of his ship and secretly brings him aboard and harbors him in his cabin. In "Typhoon", the main character, Captain MacWhirr, decides to sail his vessel through a typhoon in the South Pacific. His bold action, at first to the protest of his crew, later earns him their admiration and respect. In "The Nigger of the 'Narcissus'" we have the tale of James Wait, a dying West Indian black sailor whose condition seems to parallel the fate of the merchant ship 'Narcissus', of which he is a member of the crew. "Youth" is the semi-autobiographical story of the first voyage of Charles Marlow, the narrator of Conrad's most famous novel "Heart of Darkness". This quest tale finds the youthful Marlow's nerve, strength, and patience all tested on his journey to becoming a man. A shining example of Conrad's later literary ability, "The Shadow-Line" is his 1915 novella of a young man in his first command as a sea captain. It is a suspenseful story of a defining moment of a young life, when the indistinct line separating an inexperienced boy from a mature man becomes perfectly clear. These exhilarating nautical tales by a master storyteller portray intense trials of human spirit and the powerful demands of duty and honor. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Physiology of Taste" by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin is a must-read for anyone who loves the art of great food. Besides being famous for his lavish food parties and dinners, Brillat-Savarin was a French lawyer and politician during the French Revolution. He narrowly escaped France during the Reign of Terror, and then proceeded to travel around Europe and America before returning to his home and spending the rest of his days as a court judge. However, today he is best known for his landmark work, "The Physiology of Taste". Written over the course of several decades and published two months before the author's death, the book is considered by many to be one of the best epicurean works of all time. In this book, Brillat-Savarin creates a unique discourse on the art of food by pairing it with classic philosophies about timeless topics such as life and death. The author studies the culture of food by examining specific recipes and then explaining their traditional significance. The work goes beyond discourse by combining the art of cooking food with the art of eating food and creating delicious food and wine pairings. Brillat-Savarin is also hailed by critics for his opportune wit, demonstrated by his creation of famous phrases such as "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are". This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Fayette Robinson.

The "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" is considered one of the most important documents of Anglo-Saxon history and was written by Saint Bede, or Bede the Venerable, an English Benedictine monk and well-known scholar who was born around 672 AD. The work, which begins as a general history of England from the time of Julius Caesar's invasion in 55 BC, details the rise of Christianity in England and becomes a detailed study of the different Christian churches and leaders of England. The history focuses chiefly on the conflict between Roman and Celtic Christianity from the introduction of Christianity to the Anglo-Saxon's by Augustine of Canterbury in 597 AD until the time of the book's completion in approximately 731 AD. In drawing upon numerous primary and secondary resources, Saint Bede creates not only an important and often accurate historical document, but also advances his own views on politics and religion, which was more supportive of the Roman church leaders than the Anglo-Saxons. One of the most important works of both English and Christian history, the "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" is a must read for scholars or students of either historical discipline. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of J. A. Giles.

The first major work of the father of French Naturalism, "Thérèse Raquin" is the shocking and scandalous initial big success in Emile Zola's impressive writing career. Zola's third novel was published serially in 1867 and then as a book in 1868. The story revolves around a young woman, Thérèse, who is unhappily married to her first cousin Camille, largely due to her domineering, if well-intentioned, aunt and Camille's mother, Madame Raquin. Camille, selfish and spoiled by his mother, decides to move the little family to Paris to pursue a career. While there Camille meets up with an old friend, Laurent, who quickly becomes Thérèse's lover. Thérèse and Laurent go to terrible and horrific lengths to be together, but the happy ending they think they will find eludes them and they cannot escape their guilt. It eventually become their undoing, proving them to be the "human beasts" that Zola attempted to portray in a scientifically detached manner in this grisly and intense experimental novel. A sinister story of adultery and murder in lower class Parisian society, "Thérèse Raquin" is a dreadfully realistic novel that remains one of Zola's most masterful works. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1921 and awarded the first ever Newbery Medal of 1922 for its contribution to children's literature, "The Story of Mankind" follows the history of western civilization from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. Originally written for his children, Hendrik van Loon, a Dutch-American journalist and historian, both wrote and illustrated this classic for children to learn about world history in an entertaining way. From the very beginning of mankind, the development of writing and art, the rise of world religions, to the formation of nation-states and modern politics, van Loon emphasizes the people and events central to the monumental changes and achievements of human history. Beautiful and detailed, van Loon's epic work has withstood the test of time with its lively illustrations and warm and accessible prose, making these famous figures and grand world events relatable and interesting to children of all ages. A remarkable, accurate, and enduring work, "The Story of Mankind" is a masterpiece of children's literature and continues to engage and inspire young readers to this day. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Elements of Style", was first written by William Strunk in 1918 for private use at Cornell University, where Strunk was a professor of English, and republished by Harcourt in 1920 for the public. The concise handbook remains one of the most important and influential English writing style guides ever published. The original edition of the guide is organized into eight elementary rules of usage (such as using the active voice rather than the passive), ten elementary rules of composition (including the rule of omitting needless words), several matters of form, 49 commonly misused words and expressions, and 57 words often misspelled. The result is an efficient and pragmatic guide to help produce writing that is clear and understandable, in which every word is important. In 1957 while at "The New Yorker" writer E. B. White, who had studied under Strunk, called the guide "a forty-three-page summation of the case for cleanliness, accuracy, and brevity in the use of English." "The Elements of Style" remains an effective and helpful guide for anyone who wishes to write with greater order, simplicity, and sincerity.

Considered to be one of the most difficult poems in the history of the English language, "The Faerie Queen" by Edmund Spenser is a marvelous epic poem depicting the virtues of the legendary King Arthur and his knights in a mythical place called Faerieland. Spenser based his interpretation of the virtues on those named by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. Each one of the books discusses a different hero who displays one of these virtues; however, this entire collection was meant to be a tribute to Queen Elizabeth and the Tudor family. The stories are intricate and sometimes hard to understand. The language follows Spenserian prose and is intentionally archaic; Spenser wanted his work to have a mythical feel rather than being a modern piece. Each work was specifically chosen to evoke a certain feeling or image, allowing Spenser to make the world of Faerieland have an enchanting feeling. All readers who make their way through the text find that they are rewarded by the epic poem's masterful plots and inventive setting. Students of history and literature will enjoy this timeless classic for its challenging rhetoric, but also for its vivid depictions and stunning allegorical significance. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and is thoroughly annotated by David Laing Purves.

Written by the Indian philosopher Vatsyayana sometime between the 4th century B.C. and the 1st century A.D., "The Kama Sutra" is perhaps the world's most famous book ever written on love and sexual desire. "Kama" is one of the four Hindu goals of human life and is translated as love, including sexual desire and romantic love. "Sutra" in this context means aphorisms, or rules and lessons, on the subject of love. "The Kama Sutra" has become synonymous with its instructions on sexual positions, but this compromises only a small portion of the work and it is much more than an erotic guide to lovemaking. Instead, it is intended as a manual for not only love and intimacy, but also a treatise on the politics and customs of marriages and family life. While the treatise values sensual delight and the pursuit of physical pleasure, it also promotes honor, virtue, and responsibility. This masterpiece of Sanskrit literature provides a fascinating glimpse into an ancient culture and its traditions and values, such as how one chooses a mate, how husbands and wives should comport themselves, and which romantic relationships are healthy and which are destructive. Presented here is the classic translation of Sir Richard Burton printed on premium acid-free paper.

Published in 1875 after appearing in serial form, "The Way We Live Now" is widely acknowledged to be the masterpiece of Anthony Trollope's prolific Victorian career. The novel is a scathing satire which Trollope wrote upon returning to England after traveling abroad. Trollope was horrified to discover how pervasive greed and dishonesty had become in England during his absence. In seeking to reveal the deceit and dissipation he found, Trollope spared no sinful aspect he perceived in business, politics, social classes, literature, and various vice-related activities. Inspired by the devastation wrought by several famous financial scams of the nineteenth century, Trollope drew upon these scandals to show how destructive such deception and avarice can become. The result of his efforts is an impressive array of characters, such as the old coquette Lady Carbury, her dissolute son Sir Felix, a spoiled and treacherously lovely heiress Marie, and her colossal figure of a father Augustus Melmotte, the great financier whose deceitful plots dupe countless wealthy individuals. Through the swindling, bribery, feuding, and shameless self-promotion of these characters, Trollope writes a sweeping panorama of vice for the sake of monetary greed that will cause readers to reflect on the morality of our own time. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1914 after Leo Tolstoy's death, "Hadji Murad" was the author's last novel. Drawing upon his own experiences fighting for the Russian army, historical archives, and the true story of the real-life Hadji Murad, the story is a narrative based on actual events that occurred during the Russian war with the Chechens during the 1850's. "Hadji Murad" focuses on the life and struggles of its central character, a Chechen soldier who breaks ranks and flees to the side of the Russians in the hope that the Russians will help him free his family from the control of the Muslim religious leader Imam Shamil. Murad does not find the help he seeks though and is not trusted by many of the Russian military commanders, who view him as a potential spy. Frustrated by the lack of progress towards his goal, Murad eventually returns to try and rescue his imprisoned family himself with tragic consequences. "Hadji Murad" is the final masterpiece by a gifted writer which brilliantly examines the brutality and senselessness of war and contrasts it with the beauty of the human spirit and the importance of resistance in the face of injustice. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Aylmer Maude.

One of Shakespeare's early comedies and most ornately intellectual plays, "Love's Labour's Lost" is a mental adventure in hilarity and wit. First published in 1598, the play is filled with lexical puns, literary allusions, and shifting poetic forms, a rich example of the Bard's linguistic mastery. The play opens with King Phillip of Naverre announcing that the men of his court will devote the coming years to ascetic studies and to reduce distractions, no women will be allowed into the court for three years. However, Naverre and his companions cannot resist the allure of the Princess of France when she comes to visit with her ladies to plead with the King for help. A series of hilarious events ensue as the men fall in love with the beautiful ladies in violation of their oaths. Confusion and humor abound as the women of the court form an alliance to gain entrance in disguise, while the men try to escape also in disguise to meet their loves. In the wit and humor of "Love's Labour's Lost" we find an example of Shakespeare's legendary comedic talent. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, includes a preface and annotations by Henry N. Hudson, and an introduction by Charles Harold Herford.

"With me poetry has been not a purpose, but a passion."-Edgar Allan Poe. Containing such famous works as "The Raven", "Lenore", "Annabel Lee", and "To Helen", this complete collection of poetry by Edgar Allan Poe encapsulates the career of one of the best-known and most read American writers. Laden with tones of loneliness, melancholy, and despair, the poetry contained in this volume exerted great influence on the American Romantic and the French Symbolist Movements of the nineteenth century. Today, Poe's poetry is appreciated for its literary genius, not only because of his command of language, rhythms and dramatic imagery, but also because of its emotional insight into a beautiful and tormented mind. His propensity towards the mysterious and the macabre, as well as an ardent preoccupation with death, has led centuries of scholars and readers to enjoy these poems of love, death, and loneliness. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First performed in 1921 with Romans calling out 'Madhouse!' from the audience, "Six Characters in Search of an Author" has remained the most famous and innovative of Pirandello's plays. Often labeled a satirical tragicomedy, this play initiated the anti-illusionism movement of the early twentieth century, rejecting realism in favor of a more symbolic, dreamlike quality. When an acting company's rehearsal is interrupted by six family members who wish their life story to be enacted, the result is a masterpiece in the exploration of the nature of human personality. Both popular and controversial, this play blurred the lines of reality and illusion in unpredictable ways, ultimately influencing later playwrights like Beckett and Sartre with its bizarre blending of theatrical qualities. Such is the eloquence and depth of Pirandello's body of work that he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1934, just two years before his death, an honor worthy of a playwright whose plays had a subtle yet profound impact on much of the theatre that would follow. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Edward Storer.

Originally published in two parts in 1791 and 1792, "The Rights of Man" is Thomas Paine's defense of the French Revolution in response to Edmund Burke's criticism in "Reflections on the Revolution in France." A classic work of The Age of Enlightenment, "The Rights of Man" contends that reason should be the foundation of authority and government. Paine argues that any government that fails to protect the natural rights of its citizens should be opposed by political revolution. In accessible and simple language, Paine argues for the profoundly influential, and at that time, radical idea that civil liberties are not privileges granted by governments but arise naturally and belong to the people. Only governments that safeguard these rights are legitimate and should be allowed to exist. Those governments, such as the despotic French monarchy, that fail to do so must be overthrown. This brilliant and persuasive work is a spirited defense of representative government, written constitutions, and social reforms that benefit the working class. Over 200 years later, "The Rights of Man" remains an inspiring treatise on individual liberties and workers' rights that is a must-read for all who value democracy and personal freedom. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1885 by South African religious leader and writer Andrew Murray, "With Christ in the School of Prayer" contains 31 powerful and inspiring lessons on prayer in daily life. While born in South Africa in 1828, as Murray's father was a Dutch Reformed Church missionary sent from Scotland, Murray grew up educated in Scotland and later the Netherlands. He returned to South Africa in 1848 after his ordination, pastored several churches all over South Africa, and was an important forerunner of the later Pentecostal movement. Murray believed that prayer and striving to live a sinless and moral life must be the foundation for the faithful Christian. In support of this goal, Murray wrote this beautiful and personal guide to help incorporate prayer into daily life. Based on scripture, Murray shows how important the power of prayer and the abiding by God's will is in the attainment of spiritual fulfillment. It is only through daily perseverance and devotion can the blessed power of prayer be realized. Each lesson ends with Murray sharing one of his own personal prayers and the result is a guide that continues to inspire and instruct nearly 150 years later. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

One of the most important primary historical sources of the American Revolutionary War, "A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier" by Joseph Plumb Martin, is the published account of his time serving in the Continental Army and Connecticut Militia. Originally published anonymously in 1830, it was thought lost to history until a surviving first edition copy of the narrative was found in the 1950's. Martin's account is particularly significant as Martin served as a private during most of the war and his recollections are remarkably accurate and detailed. Historians believe Martin kept a journal during the war and then enlarged on the details prior to publishing the account later in his life. Martin was only 15 years old when he convinced his grandparents to allow him to join the Connecticut Militia in 1776. He completed a tour of duty and returned home, but was eager to re-enlist. At age 16, he joined the Continental Army and served until 1783, when he was discharged. Martin's regiment participated in many important battles and events, such as The Battle of Brooklyn, The Battle of Monmouth, the encampment at Valley Forge, and the Siege of Yorktown. This fascinating first-person account is required reading for anyone who studies the American Revolution. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1841, this history chronicles the popular delusions throughout world history. It is divided into three broad categories, including 'National Delusions,' 'Peculiar Follies,' and 'Philosophical Delusions.' The author discusses and usually debunks a wide variety of subjects and events. These include economic bubbles like the tulip craze of Holland in 1637 or the Mississippi Company financial bubble of 1719; alchemy, which was of particular interest to individuals who wanted to create gold out of lesser-valued materials; the Crusades, also known as the Middle Ages mania; witch hunts, the persecution of thousands of innocent victims that arose from either supernatural ill fortune or neighbors with a score to settle; duels; the political and religious influence on beards; and several others. This work, with all of its interesting observations, is an entertaining and insightful book that explores the phenomenon of crowd mentality. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1903 in serial form, Henry James' "The Ambassadors" is the story of the middle-aged and naïve Lewis Lambert Strether, who travels to Europe at the behest of his widowed fiancée to find her supposedly wayward son, Chad Newsome. Mrs. Newsome fears he has fallen under the spell of a sinful woman and Strether must rescue him. With the intent of bringing Chad back to America and to his post at the family business, Strether encounters many unexpected complications along the way and finds that the situation may not be as his fiancée has imagined. Strether finds himself seduced by the beauty of Europe, the more casual and open relationships of the Europeans he encounters, and the relaxed social mores. Strether is so seduced that he considers never returning to his home and begins to fall in love with another woman. Eventually, Strether comes to his senses and realizes that Europe may not be the paradise he has convinced himself it to be. Strether returns to America as a changed man, less rigid, wiser, and more thoughtful. Hailed as one of James's finest novel and his own personal favorite, "The Ambassadors" is the perfect blending of the old world with the new. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Performed for the first time in 1891, "Hedda Gabler" is one of Henrik Ibsen's greatest dramas. It is the story of its title character, Hedda, a self-centered and manipulative woman who has grown bored of her new marriage to the kind and reliable George. Hedda was born to a life of luxury and privilege and marries a man she does not love to avoid becoming a spinster. After returning from her honeymoon, Hedda discovers that her marriage will not be the life of wealth and excitement she was accustomed to and that George will never be the ambitious and successful man she wishes him to be. To escape her boredom, she begins to meddle in the lives of George's academic rival, Eilert, who is Hedda's former paramour, and Eilert's unsuspecting wife, Thea. Hedda fears that Eilert and his professional success may stand in the way of George's future in academia and Hedda takes it upon herself to sabotage her husband's rival, leading to truly tragic consequences for everyone involved. Marked by one of the most dramatic female roles in all of theater, "Hedda Gabler" stands as an enduring masterpiece by Norway's most famous playwright, Henrik Ibsen. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, follows the translation of Edmund Gosse and William Archer, with an introduction by William Archer.

First published in 1922, "Tales of the Jazz Age" is a collection of 11 short stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Many of the stories had appeared in magazines such as "Collier's", "Vanity Fair", and the "Saturday Evening Post" before they were included in this collection. Many of the themes that are found in Fitzgerald's other famous works can be found in these stories as well: the disparity between the wealthy and the poor, bad things happening to good people, strange and unique characters, and love gone bad. Included are such classics as the surprising "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", considered by many to be one of his best short stories. It tells the fascinating story of a child born as an old man and who ages backwards through his life. This story, as well as others in this collection, captures the unique challenges faced by "the Lost Generation" of men and women left traumatized and disillusioned by the First World War and the tragic destruction of so many lives. Fitzgerald's mastery of the short story and his unequaled ability to capture the excitement and sadness of the early twentieth-century is on full display in "Tales of the Jazz Age." This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Widely considered to be one of the first English novels, Fielding's "Tom Jones," written in 1749, revolves around the life and experiences of an orphaned baby who grows up to be a kind-hearted, if overly vigorous, young man. Tom is brought up by the generous Mr. Allworthy on his Somerset estate, where Tom eventually falls in love with his beautiful neighbor, Sophia Western. Because of his partially unknown parentage, however, their respective guardians are against the match. When Tom is banished due to his occasionally heated temper and sexual encounters with local girls, he has an adventure full of danger and surprise. Ultimately he follows Sophia to London, who herself is fleeing from an undesirable arranged marriage. Generally acknowledged as Fielding's greatest work, "Tom Jones" takes the hero through an inventive plot that will entertain and astonish readers through to its revealing conclusion. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1860, George Eliot's "The Mill on the Floss" tells the story of Tom and Maggie Tulliver, a brother and sister growing up on the fictional river Floss near the village of St. Oggs in Lincolnshire, England. Set in the early 1800s over a period of several years, the novel follows the two main characters from childhood to young adulthood. Maggie and Tom's love and loyalty to each other is the primary relationship of the novel, as well as Maggie's connections to the two young suitors she is often torn between. Maggie struggles to decide if she will violate the social code of her time and risk ostracism from her family and friends to follow her own passions and desires. It is a struggle that women from many time periods can relate to. While Tom is stubborn and traditional, Maggie is often caught between what she should do and what she wants to do. This deeply personal and tragic tale remains a popular and enduring example of George Eliot's importance in English literature. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.