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Part memoir and part travelogue, this book recounts the authors early days as a steamboat pilot on the great river before the Civil War. It vividly describes the golden age of steamboating, the intricate science of piloting, and the colorful characters who worked the waters. The second half contrasts this nostalgia with a return trip years later, observing the changes wrought by war and railroads. It is a loving tribute to the majesty and danger of the Mississippi River.

A monumental compilation of zoological data, this text describes the anatomy, behavior, and habitats of hundreds of animal species. Aristotle classifies animals based on their modes of reproduction, diet, and physical differences, looking for patterns in natures diversity. The observations range from the embryology of birds to the habits of marine life, showcasing a keen empirical eye. It establishes biology as a systematic science, grounded in observation and the comparison of living forms.

In the quiet cathedral city of Barchester, a fierce power struggle erupts when a new Bishop and his formidable wife, Mrs. Proudie, arrive to challenge the established order. This satirical masterpiece explores the clash between old traditions and new ambitions, weaving a complex web of clerical politics and romantic entanglements. At the center of the conflict stands the mild-mannered Mr. Harding and his daughter Eleanor, whose marital prospects become a pawn in the high-stakes game for control. The narrative balances sharp social commentary with humor, offering a vivid portrait of Victorian society and its intricate hierarchies.

Follow the famous geometrical demonstration with an enslaved boy as Socrates attempts to prove that learning is actually a form of recollection from a previous existence. This dialogue addresses the paradox of inquiry, asking how one can search for something they do not already know, while simultaneously exploring whether virtue can be taught. It bridges the gap between metaphysics and ethics, offering a glimpse into the theory of forms through practical application. The work remains essential for those interested in epistemology and the Socratic approach to education.

Seeking new adventures, Tom, Huck, and Jim accidentally set off in a futuristic hot air balloon invented by a mad professor. Their journey takes them across the Atlantic Ocean to the deserts of Africa, where they encounter lions, caravans, and the wonders of the pyramids. The story blends the familiar banter of the trio with fantastical elements of travel and exploration. It is a lighter, more whimsical sequel that places the beloved characters in an unfamiliar and exotic setting.

Encounter one of the most challenging and abstract of Platos works, featuring a rare instance where a young Socrates is put on the defensive by an elder philosopher. The dialogue rigorously critiques the Theory of Forms, raising logical difficulties that have puzzled scholars for centuries regarding the relationship between the one and the many. It is a mental workout that pushes dialectic to its limits, exploring the fundamental nature of reality and existence. This text is a crucial pivot point in Platonic thought, demonstrating the philosophers willingness to scrutinize his own most cherished doctrines.

Explore the sophistical traps laid by two brothers as they engage in a battle of wits against Socrates in this dialogue concerning the nature of wisdom and virtue. Plato masterfully dissects the logical fallacies employed by the Euthydemus and Dionysodorus, contrasting their eristic methods with true philosophical inquiry. As the conversation spirals into absurdity, the text serves as both a humorous critique of empty rhetoric and a serious examination of how language can be manipulated to obscure the truth. This enduring work challenges readers to distinguish between the appearance of knowledge and the rigorous pursuit of reality.

In this Socratic dialogue, the conversation centers on the definition of "sophrosyne," often translated as temperance or moderation. Socrates engages with a young man and his guardian to explore whether this virtue represents quietness, modesty, or self-knowledge. As with many early dialogues, the discussion ends in a state of aporia, or puzzlement, having dismantled all proposed definitions. It serves as an inquiry into the difficulty of defining ethical concepts and the nature of self-control.

Observe a clash of intellectual titans as Socrates faces off against a leading sophist to determine if political virtue can be taught to the youth of Athens. The dialogue is rich with dramatic irony and detailed character studies, contrasting the long-winded speeches of the sophist with the concise dialectic of the philosopher. It delves into the unity of the virtues and the role of pleasure in ethical decision-making, challenging the educational systems of the day. This vivid portrayal of 5th-century intellectual life questions the foundations of democracy and civic leadership.

Immerse yourself in a reimagined medieval romance that transforms the tale of Havelok the Dane into a lush fantasy of lost royalty and forest exile. Written in a deliberately archaic style, the story follows a dispossessed prince and a captive princess as they navigate a world of wood-woses and ancient laws to claim their birthright. The prose evokes the rhythm and color of an illuminated manuscript, creating a dreamlike atmosphere of chivalry and innocence. It is a shining example of the late Victorian revival of the saga form.

Step into a surreal and dreamlike realm where a young man named Golden Walter flees a loveless marriage to find adventure in a strange, unmapped land. He becomes entangled in the magical machinations of a Mistress, a Maid, and a dwarf, navigating a psychological landscape of desire and fear. The story is noted for its pre-Freudian symbolism and its complete detachment from the known geography of the real world. It is considered the first modern fantasy novel to be set entirely in a secondary world.

Enter a moonlit forest outside Athens where the realms of mortals and fairies collide in a chaotic dance of love and magic. As four young lovers and a troupe of amateur actors fall under the spell of the mischievous Puck, reality dissolves into a delightful confusion. The play explores the fickleness of desire and the transformative power of imagination, culminating in a wedding celebration that restores harmony. It is a timeless comedy that celebrates the irrational nature of the heart.

Traverse the gap of sixteen years in a romance that moves from a tragic court gripped by delusional jealousy to a pastoral festival of renewal. The play begins with a kings irrational destruction of his family but shifts halfway through to a world of youth, music, and impossible reunions. It explores the themes of time as a healer and the miraculous possibility of redemption for past sins. The famous final scene offers one of the most magical and moving moments of grace in the canon.

The most complete collection available of Willa Cathers remarkable short fiction, Collected Stories and Reviews and Essays brings together all the stories published in this one book form during her lifetime along with two additional volumes compiled after her death.STORIESPart IPeterOn the DivideEric Hermannsons SoulThe Sentimentality of William TavenerThe NamesakeThe Enchanted BluffThe Joy of Nelly DeaneThe Bohemian GirlConsequencesThe Bookkeepers WifeArdessaHer BossREVIEWS AND ESSAYSPart IIMark TwainWilliam Dean HowellsEdgar Allan PoeWalt WhitmanHenry JamesHarold FredericKate ChopinStephen CraneFrank NorrisWhen I Knew Stephen CraneOn the Art of Fiction

Discover the inaugural historical novel that set the template for the genre, telling the story of a young Englishman caught between two worlds during the Jacobite rising of 1745. The protagonists journey from the civilized south into the wild Highlands serves as a metaphor for the collision between the romantic past and the pragmatic future. Through vivid cultural contrasts and battle scenes, the text examines the allure of rebellion and the inevitability of historys march. It is a seminal work that captures the tragedy and dignity of a lost cause.

Engage with the cornerstone of Western political philosophy, a sweeping inquiry into the nature of justice and the construction of an ideal city-state. Through the famous allegory of the cave and the concept of the philosopher-king, the text argues that the just soul and the just state are mirror images of one another. It covers an immense range of topics, including education, poetry, immortality, and the structure of reality. This monumental work challenges readers to imagine a society governed by reason and the Good.

Enter a world of Edwardian wit and cruelty where the savage nature of animals often mirrors the behavior of polite society. These short stories are masterpieces of brevity and satire, introducing readers to mischievous children, talking cats, and the absurdity of social conventions. The humor is sharp, often dark, and deployed with a precise command of language that exposes the hypocrisy of the upper classes. It is a delightful yet biting collection that finds comedy in the unexpected and the macabre.

Investigate the elusive nature of knowledge in a dialogue that rejects the definition of knowledge as mere perception or true belief. Socrates acts as a "midwife" to ideas, helping a brilliant young mathematician birth various theories only to test and discard them. The text is a masterpiece of epistemological inquiry, highlighting the distinction between the fluctuating world of the senses and the stability of truth. It remains a critical starting point for anyone asking what it means to truly know something.

Septimus Harding, a gentle and kind-hearted clergyman, becomes the unwitting target of a public crusade against church corruption. As the warden of an almshouse, he is accused of receiving an excessive income at the expense of the elderly residents he cares for. The resulting scandal, fueled by the press, forces him to choose between his legal rights and his moral conscience. This intimate story highlights the collision between institutional reform and individual integrity, questioning whether justice can exist without compassion.

To escape his abusive father and the stifling constraints of civilization, a young boy fakes his own death and flees down the Mississippi River on a raft. He is joined by Jim, a runaway slave seeking his freedom, and together they navigate the treacherous currents of the antebellum South. The novel is a biting satire of racism and social hypocrisy, told through the distinct and honest voice of an unforgettable narrator. It is a profound journey of moral growth and an American masterpiece.