Jane Austen's The History of England
At the age of 16, Jane Austen wrote a parody of Oliver Goldsmith's "History of England. "She entitled her work The History of England, but added "By a partial, prejudiced, & ignorant Historian ... There will be very few Dates in this History.)" She never did like "perfection," preferring rather to employ her wit to provide some representative version of society.
Jack London's Golden State
In the "Introduction," Gerald Haslam writes, "Jack London has been more widely read and translated than any other American author in history." This book offers selections from many of London's best-known works, which depict adventure in all of its various forms.
John Greenleaf Whittier: Selected Poems
John Greenleaf Whittier has been called the "Quaker Poet." He's famous for "Snow-Bound," which sold more than 20,000 copies in one month. With this collection, Editor Brenda Wineapple reminds us of the poetry and the life of John Greenleaf Whittier. "Revisited now," the editor sees Whittier as "fresh, honest even flinty and practical."
Jane Austen in Hollywood
In recent years, Jane Austen's works have been converted to music, book adaptations, along with television, film, and stage productions. Linda Troot and Sayre Greenfield explore the Austen phenomenon in its various evolutions.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century
J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most important writers of the 20th century. He is recognized for "The Lord of the Rings," a three-volume novel cycle, and for "The Hobbit," a children's book published in 1937.
