Серия книг «Collector's Library» — 260 книг — стр. 4

Joseph Jacobs (1854–1916) was a noted literary and folklorist. He edited a number of books of fairy tales, including this work and its sequel, More Celtic Fairy Tales. It includes the famous stories Conal Hammerclaw, The Story of Deirdre, Gold-Tree and Silver-Tree, The Wooing of Olwen, Jack and His Comrades, The Sea Maiden, Fairm Brown and Trembling, The Battle of the Birds, Brewery of Eggshells and many others. John D. Batten (1860–1932) was inspired by mythology and his drawings derive partly from German woodcuts and partly from the arts and crafts book decoration of William Morris and his followers.

Joseph Jacobs (1854–1916) was a noted literary and folklorist. He edited a number of books of fairy tales, including this work and its sequel, More Celtic Fairy Tales. It includes…

Graham Greene was one of the greatest story-tellers of the twentieth century. This anthology contains the novella The Third Man, on which Carol Reed’s chilling film starring Orson Wells was based, as well as the story The Fallen Idol which Reed also filmed. Greene’s often bleak view of humanity is leavened by the somewhat camp May We Borrow Your Husband? with its hilarious ending, the tragic-comic A Shocking Accident and ten more stories that illustrate the author’s mastery of the short story. They are: Beauty, Chagrin in Three Parts, The Over-night Bag, Mortmain, Cheap in August, The Invisible Japanese Gentlemen, Awful When You Think of It, Doctor Crombie, The Root of All Evil and Two Gentle People. With an Introduction by Professor Richard Greene

Graham Greene was one of the greatest story-tellers of the twentieth century. This anthology contains the novella The Third Man, on which Carol Reed’s chilling film starring Orson…

The Beautiful and Damned, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s second novel, tells the story of Anthony Patch, a 1920s socialite and presumptive heir to a tycoon’s fortune, the relationship with his wife Gloria, his service in the army, and alcoholism. The novel provides an excellent portrait of the Eastern elite as the Jazz Age begins its ascent, engulfing all classes into what will soon be known as Café Society. As with all of his other novels, it is a brilliant character study and is also an early account of the complexities of marriage and intimacy, largely based on Fitzgerald’s relationship and marriage with Zelda Fitzgerald.

The Beautiful and Damned, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s second novel, tells the story of Anthony Patch, a 1920s socialite and presumptive heir to a tycoon’s fortune, the relationship with…

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is perhaps most associated not with its titular hero, Antonio, but with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock. The play was described as a comedy in the First Folio but its modern audiences find it more problematic to categorize. The vilification of Shylock "the Jew" can be very uncomfortable for a post-holocaust audience and debates continue as to whether Shakespeare's portrayal of this complex man is sympathetic or antisemitic. An exacting and controversial comedy, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE explores prejudice and the true nature of justice. But the outcome of the story is tempered by its principal message, that of mercy. In some of the most moving language in all English literature, this extraordinary play is a beacon of light shining through centuries that have seen much darkness. As Portia, the heroine of the story, reminds us:
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is perhaps most associated not with its titular hero, Antonio, but with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock. The play was described as a comedy…

Separated from her twin brother Sebastian after a shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as a boy to serve the Duke of Illyria. Wooing a countess on his behalf, she is stunned to find herself the object of his beloved's affections. With the arrival of Viola's brother, and a trick played upon Malvolio, the countess' steward, confusion reigns in this romantic comedy of mistaken identity. The gentle melancholy and lyrical atmosphere of Twelfth Night, enlivened by a comic sub-plot of considerable accomplishment, have long made the play a favourite with Shakespearian audiences.

Separated from her twin brother Sebastian after a shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as a boy to serve the Duke of Illyria. Wooing a countess on his behalf, she is stunned to find…

The Iliad narrates the events of the siege of Troy, prompted by Greek outrage at the abduction by Paris of Helen from her Greek husband. It describes the anger of Achilles which results in the death of Patroclus, and Achilles' quest for brutal vengeance on Hector. Even though it was composed more than two thousand years ago The Iliad remains both powerful and enthralling.

The Iliad narrates the events of the siege of Troy, prompted by Greek outrage at the abduction by Paris of Helen from her Greek husband. It describes the anger of Achilles which…

The Odyssey can claim to be Western literature's first adventure story, and describes the ten-year wanderings of Odysseus in his quest to return home after the Trojan war. He encounters giants, sorceresses and sea-monsters before he can get home and then must remain in disguise while seeking a way to rid his home of the suitors who, believing him dead, have besieged his wife. Both an enchanting fairy tale and a gripping drama, The Odyssey is eminently readable, not least for the rich complexity and magnetism of its hero.

The Odyssey can claim to be Western literature's first adventure story, and describes the ten-year wanderings of Odysseus in his quest to return home after the Trojan war. He…

Over the centuries Ireland has preserved a magical, mystical aura that lends itself to tales of the supernatural-from leprechauns and fairies to ghosts and hauntings. Stories and storytelling have always been central to Irish folk culture, and this anthology of the best ghost stories from Ireland and Irish writers includes contributions from Sheridan Le Fanu, Bram Stoker, Patrick Kennedy, George Moore, and W.B.Yeats. The result is a collection of tingling tales of poltergeists, supernatural experiences, haunted houses, death warnings, and banshees that will chill the blood of readers and listeners alike.

Over the centuries Ireland has preserved a magical, mystical aura that lends itself to tales of the supernatural-from leprechauns and fairies to ghosts and hauntings. Stories and…

Science and adventure are electrifying accomplices in Jules Verne’s classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. This epic and enduring tale anticipates not just wonders such as electric light and submarine navigation, but the obsession with technology and travel that today so shapes our lives. It is Verne’s inspired foresight, combined with his extraordinary talent for storytelling, that continue to make this novel such a compelling read. The excitement this adventure caused around the world when it was first published 150 years ago can still be very easily imagined indeed in the 21st century. Illustrated by Edouard Riou.

Science and adventure are electrifying accomplices in Jules Verne’s classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. This epic and enduring tale anticipates not just wonders such as…

This is undoubtedly the greatest love story ever written, spawning a host of imitators on stage and screen, including Leonard Bernstein's smash musical West Side Story and Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet filmed in 1968. A young man and woman meet by chance and fall instantly in love. But their families are bitter enemies, and in order to be together the two lovers must be prepared to risk everything. Set in a city torn apart by feuds and gang warfare, Romeo and Juliet is a dazzling combination of passion and hatred, bawdy comedy and high tragedy. Illustrated throughout by Sir John Gilbert (1817–1897), famous for his depictions of historical scenes. As well as Shakespeare, he illustrated works of Sir Walter Scott, Cervantes, Wilkie Collins and Wordsworth.

This is undoubtedly the greatest love story ever written, spawning a host of imitators on stage and screen, including Leonard Bernstein's smash musical West Side Story and Franco…

A young prince meets with his father's ghost, who alleges that his own brother, now married to his widow, murdered him. The prince devises a scheme to test the truth of the ghost's accusation, feigning wild madness while plotting a brutal revenge. But his apparent insanity soon begins to wreak havoc on innocent and guilty alike. Hamlet's combination of violence and introspection is unusual among Shakespeare's tragedies. It is also full of curious riddles and fascinating paradoxes, making it one of his most widely discussed plays.
Illustrated throughout by Sir John Gilbert (1817–1897), famous for his depictions of historical scenes. As well as Shakespeare, he illustrated works of Sir Walter Scott, Cervantes, Wilkie Collins and Wordsworth.

A young prince meets with his father's ghost, who alleges that his own brother, now married to his widow, murdered him. The prince devises a scheme to test the truth of the…

Dark and violent, Macbeth is also the most theatrically spectacular of Shakespeare's tragedies. Promised a golden future as ruler of Scotland by three sinister witches, Macbeth murders the king to ensure his ambitions come true. But he soon learns the meaning of terror – killing once, he must kill again and again, and the dead return to haunt him. A story of war, witchcraft and bloodshed, Macbeth also depicts the relationship between husbands and wives, and the risks they are prepared to take to achieve their desires. Illustrated throughout by Sir John Gilbert (1817–1897), famous for his depictions of historical scenes. As well as Shakespeare, he illustrated works of Sir Walter Scott, Cervantes, Wilkie Collins and Wordsworth.

Dark and violent, Macbeth is also the most theatrically spectacular of Shakespeare's tragedies. Promised a golden future as ruler of Scotland by three sinister witches, Macbeth…

A Midsummer Night's Dream is perhaps the best loved of Shakespeare's plays. It brings together aristocrats, workers, and fairies in a wood outside Athens, and from there the magic begins. A young woman flees Athens with her lover, only to be pursued by her would-be husband and by her best friend. Unwittingly, all four find themselves in an enchanted forest where fairies and sprites soon take an interest in human affairs, dispensing magical love potions and casting mischievous spells. In this dazzling comedy, confusion ends in harmony, as love is transformed, misplaced, and – ultimately – restored. Illustrated throughout by Sir John Gilbert (1817–1897), famous for his depictions of historical scenes. As well as Shakespeare, he illustrated works of Sir Walter Scott, Cervantes, Wilkie Collins and Wordsworth.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is perhaps the best loved of Shakespeare's plays. It brings together aristocrats, workers, and fairies in a wood outside Athens, and from there the magic…

The sweeping love story of two people who defy the conventions of their age to follow the dictates of their hearts. Trapped in a stifling marriage, Anna Karenina is swept off her feet by the dashing Count Vronsky. When the truth about their passionate liaison comes out, Anna’s husband is more concerned with keeping up appearances than anything else, but at last he seeks a reluctant divorce. Rejected by society, the two lovers flee to Italy, where Anna finds herself isolated from all except the man she loves, and who loves her. But can they live by love alone? In this novel of astonishing scope and grandeur, Leo Tolstoy, the great master of Russian literature, charts the course of the human heart.

The sweeping love story of two people who defy the conventions of their age to follow the dictates of their hearts. Trapped in a stifling marriage, Anna Karenina is swept off her…

William Blake is a poet without parallel, who remains a source of wisdom and inspiration to countless individuals throughout the world.

This selection was commissioned in 1905 by the firm of George Routledge from W.B.Yeats, who had previously been one of the pioneer editors of Blake's prophetic books. Yeats, one of the few poets whose work could be compared with that of Blake, prepared a unique selection of his poetic and prose writings. There is no better way to encounter the work of one poetic genius than as it is presented by another, and Yeats understood Blake in a way few others did.

William Blake is a poet without parallel, who remains a source of wisdom and inspiration to countless individuals throughout the world.

This selection was commissioned in 1905…

A pilot forced to crash-land in the Sahara Desert encounters a little prince who is visiting the earth from his own small planet, which boasts just three volcanoes and a beautiful flower. Through this meeting, the aviator comes to discover many of life's universal truths - truths which illuminate the human condition with all its foibles, shortcomings and eccentricities. This charming and remarkable book will enchant both children and adults alike. It is a whimsical but profound parable for all ages, championing the beauty and wisdom of childhood which fades when one becomes "a grown-up". Antoine de Saint-Exupery's book has been translated into over 180 languages and has sold over 80 million copies. Its magic is in its charm, its simplicity and its truths which speak to people of all nations and generations.

A pilot forced to crash-land in the Sahara Desert encounters a little prince who is visiting the earth from his own small planet, which boasts just three volcanoes and a beautiful…

Robinson Crusoe is among the first novels written in English. Thanks to its extraordinary realism and drama, it is easily the longest-enduring work of popular fiction in the language. The story, probably based on the Pacific-island ordeal of castaway Alexander Selkirk, was presented by Daniel Defoe as a true account, and is utterly convincing in its topography, action and character, even 300 years after its first publication. Robinson Crusoe is a true page-turner: Dr Samuel Johnson said it was one of only three books he had read that would have been better for being longer.

Robinson Crusoe is among the first novels written in English. Thanks to its extraordinary realism and drama, it is easily the longest-enduring work of popular fiction in the…

Of the various types of mythological literature, fairy tales are the simplest and purest expressions of the collective unconscious and thus offer the clearest understanding of the basic patterns of the human psyche. Every people or nation has its own way of experiencing this psychic reality, and so a study of the world's fairy tales yields a wealth of insights into the archetypal experiences of humankind. Folk tales and fairy stories were originally intended for both adults and children – Grimms’ Household Tales, for instance – and this international anthology brings together ‘The Frog Who Became an Emperor’ from China, ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’ from Norway, and ‘Pinocchio’ from Italy as well as the classic stories of Aesop, Andersen, the Grimm Brothers, Charles Perrault and Oscar Wilde, among many others. The masters of children’s book illustration have been chosen for the pictures in this book, and will give it appeal to readers of all ages. They include Arthur Rackham, Charles Robinson, Walter Crane, Howard Pyle and many other masters of the genre. Illustrated by various artists.

Of the various types of mythological literature, fairy tales are the simplest and purest expressions of the collective unconscious and thus offer the clearest understanding of the…

The short story is the perfect format for traditional ghost stories. They have their roots in folklore, but in modern form they can be traced back to the romanticised writers of the Gothic tradition. Authors include Charles Dickens, Sheridan Le Fanu, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Mrs Henry Wood, F. Marion Crawford, Elizabeth Gaskell and H. H. Munro (Saki). Perhaps the finest exponent of the genre was M. R. James whose sly, academic tales are well represented in this collection, as well as those of Le Fanu, whom James acknowledged as his inspiration. This is a book to be relished by the fireside, with the curtains drawn against ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night.

The short story is the perfect format for traditional ghost stories. They have their roots in folklore, but in modern form they can be traced back to the romanticised writers of…

For Socrates, as for Jesus Christ, we have few biographical details, and of those we do have nearly all come from Plato, his greatest admirer. But it is clear that Socrates contributed three new ideas to the development of philosophy: that goodness consists not in helping friends and harming enemies, but in not harming anyone at all; that goodness and knowledge are one and the same thing; and that for progress to be made in argument, there must be step-by-step agreement between those arguing. Like Jesus, Socrates too was put to death for defying the conventions of his day, and by the manner of his life and death he, too, sets an example which is at the same time an inspiration and an impossible ideal. All the Plato dialogues are translated by Benjamin Jowett. The Aristophanes is B. B. Rogers, and the Xenophon is H. G. Dakyns.

For Socrates, as for Jesus Christ, we have few biographical details, and of those we do have nearly all come from Plato, his greatest admirer. But it is clear that Socrates…