A collection of essays on 19th century novelists, both famous ones and those largely forgotten now. Among the writers presented most wrote in English, but three foreign authors are also discussed. Phelps taught a course on novels at a university and he added to those biographical essays some of his ideas about the importance of novels in the process of teaching about literature. (Summary by Piotr Nater) [chương_files]
This seafaring adventure story was adapted from the German. It is also known as The Disobedient Son and tells the story of a boy who runs away to sea. – Summary by Lynne Thompson [chương_files]
Arthur Bingham Walkley was an exceedingly popular critic, working as a drama critic at The Times alone for no less than 26 years, and writing for several other newspapers and privately besides that. This book of pastiches was completed after he already had more than two decades of work as a theatre critic under his belt, and it draws some brilliant characterisations. Among the literary and historical figures found in the different pastiches are such illustrious figures as Aristotle and Shakespeare, but also more modern phenomena as movies are discussed, along with politicians and other famous persons of the time. – Summary by Carolin [chương_files]
An adventure story for boys, it was included in the Every Boys’ Library, a collection of works deemed the most popular among boys. Set on an island off the coast of Maine, Woodcraft Boys at Sunset Island is an account of several school-age children and their parents as they explore nature and learn survival skills. They go on adventures, encounter thieves, find a pig on a raft, and through it all, learn the value of self-reliance. (JayKitty76) [chương_files]
When their father mysteriously goes away, three children and their story-writing mother leave their comfortable life in London and move to a little house, Three Chimneys, in the country. Free to roam the countryside, Peter, Bobbie, and Phil make friends and enjoy adventures in and around the nearby railway station, and wave to the passing train each day, asking it to send their love to Father. There are no magical adventures in this Nesbit story, but as usual her child characters are so realistic that you feel they are your friends! [chương_files]
This is a frank eyewitness description of the suffering, starvation in particular, that was widely experienced in Central and Eastern Europe in the aftermath of “The Great War”. “It is not stating matters too strongly to say that…peace had caused at least as much misery as the four years’ fury of embattled armies.” It is a powerful political and anti-war statement with scant mention of any battle. – Lee Smalley [chương_files]
There is no page in England’s history so bright, nor of which Englishmen have such reason to be proud, as that covering the period between 1640 and 1650. This glorious decade was ushered in by the election of the “Long Parliament,” and I challenge the annals of all nations, ancient or modern, to show an assembly in which sat a greater number of statesmen and patriots. Brave as pure, fearless in the discharge of their difficult and dangerous duties, they faltered not in the performance of them—shrank not from impeaching a traitor to his country, and bringing his head to the block, even when it carried a crown. True to their consciences, as to their constituencies, they left England a heritage of honour that for long haloed her escutcheon, and even to this hour throws its covering screen over many a deed of shame. (From the Prologue) [chương_files]
John Greenleaf Whittier was an influential American Quaker poet and ardent advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. He is usually listed as one of the Fireside Poets. Whittier was strongly influenced by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. In this book, John Whittier elaborates the Conflict With Slavery, Politics and Reform. [chương_files]
The Silver Fox Patrol is out in the Rocky Mountains, camping in the Big Timber. Many adventures await these boys, including a dunking in the river, an adventure involving a grizzly bear, and the appearance of some timber cruisers up to no good. Herbert Carter is one of the many pseudonyms of St. George Rathborne. (Summary by Ann Boulais) [chương_files]
The Wizard of Oz has built two beautiful “Ozoplanes” to explore Oz. But the official launch party goes wrong when the Soldier with the Green Whiskers accidentally launches the Oztober into the cloud country of Stratovania! The ruler, Strut of the Strat, makes Jellia Jamb his “Starina” and then sets off to conquer the fascinating country of Oz! Meanwhile the Wizard, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow pile into the Ozpril and chase after the Oztober, but end up having an adventure of their own… This is the 33rd book in the “Oz” series, following in the official canon after L. Frank Baum’s original 14 books. The phrase “The Wizard of Oz” was included in the title to coincide with the 1939 release of the film The Wizard of Oz. The focus of the story is primarily on characters who appeared in “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. (Summary by Beth Thomas) [chương_files]
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