Walter Besant

El arte de la ficción consta de 3 artículos, el primero de Besant en el que imparte una conferencia que fue muy comentada por la prensa. Con la autoridad de un experimentado escritor, Besant ofrece al eventual aprendiz una serie de reglas practicas del buen novelar. El segundo y central capitulo de este "arte de la ficcion" se debe a Henry James. En el replica a Besant en sus mismos terminos y con el mismo titulo de su disertacion. Para James la ficcion ha de burlarse de los preceptos, emplearlos en su beneficio mientras le sean utiles y desecharlos cuando le estorben. El tercer capitulo se debe a Stevenson y este con insolente ironia le da a su contrarreplica el titulo de "una humilde amonestacion". Su alegato esgrime el arma punzante del sentido comun. Para el la ficcion es un elemento que esta en todas las artes salvo la arquitectura.

In "Medieval London, Vol. 1 & 2," Walter Besant offers a meticulous and immersive exploration of London during the Middle Ages, vividly illustrating its transformation from a Roman outpost to a bustling medieval metropolis. The narrative is rich with historical detail, employing a blend of descriptive prose and analytical commentary that captures the socio-political landscape and daily life of its inhabitants. Through meticulously sourced archival research, Besant contextualizes the significance of Londons development within the larger tapestry of English history, presenting an intricate picture of its commerce, culture, and architecture. Walter Besant, a renowned Victorian novelist and historian, was deeply influenced by the rapid changes of the industrial era, which inspired his passion for the historical narrative and preservation of city heritage. His extensive background in literature and social reform, coupled with a keen interest in urban showcases, led him to delve into the rich tapestry of Londons medieval past. Besants commitment to educating his contemporaries about the importance of history is evident in his vivid storytelling and rigorous scholarship. "Medieval London" is a compelling read for history enthusiasts, scholars, and anyone intrigued by the enduring legacy of urban life. Besants narrative not only informs but also enriches the readers understanding of Londons medieval identity, making it an indispensable resource for those seeking depth in the study of urban history.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Walter Besants "Medieval London (Vol. 1 & 2)" offers a comprehensive exploration of urban life in London during the Middle Ages. With meticulous research and a narrative style that blends historical rigor with vivid storytelling, Besant transports readers to a vibrant metropolis marked by political intrigue, social stratification, and cultural flourishing. The dual volumes dissect various facets of medieval society, from commerce and guilds to the churchs influence, capturing the evolution of Londons identity throughout the centuries. Besant creatively intertwines primary sources with his own interpretations, making the work not only informative but also engaging for readers interested in urban history. Walter Besant (1836-1901) was a notable English novelist and historian, whose profound interest in Londons history significantly informed his writings. Having experienced the citys transformative period during the 19th century, Besant was acutely aware of its medieval roots, which undoubtedly influenced his desire to document and analyze this pivotal era. His background in both publishing and academia provided a solid foundation for his extensive research, allowing him to present medieval London in all its complexity and intricacy. "Medieval London" is recommended for history enthusiasts, scholars, and general readers seeking to understand the rich tapestry of Englands capital during a time of great change. Besants vivid portrayal not only enriches our understanding of the past but also resonates with contemporary themes of urban development and societal organization, making it a valuable addition to any literary collection.

In the tapestry of life, marriage is a thread that weaves together hearts and destinies. "Stories of Successful Marriages" by Walter Besant unveils the secrets of enduring unions, offering a glimpse into the lives of couples who have navigated the complexities of love, commitment, and companionship. Through their triumphs and tribulations, these stories provide a roadmap for those seeking to build a fulfilling and lasting marriage.

James Cook (1728-1779), British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the Royal Navy was the son of a farm laborer. Apprenticed to a grocer, he ran away to sea. He saw hard service in the Baltic as a merchant seaman, while applying himself to the study of mathematics, navigation, and astronomy. In 1755 he volunteered for the Royal Navy, working his way up to captain. This little biography by Walter Besant, chronicles Cooks three voyages of discovery and his violent death in Hawaii. Cook replaced vague mythology with accurate observations of people and places, animals and plants. Of his achievements Besant writes, "We seek St. Brendans Island and Terra Australis Incognita; and we find New Zealand and Cape Horn, the Continent of Australia, and the great Pacific Ocean, studded with islands as the firmament is studded by the stars." (Pamela Nagami, M.D.),

Walter Besants Medieval London (Vol. 1 & 2) reconstructs the city from Norman consolidation to the late Middle Ages. Volume I, History, traces civic government, wards and liberties, guilds and livery companies, markets, law courts, and Thames-borne commerce, interlacing chronicles with charters and records. Volume II, Ecclesiastical, surveys cathedral, parish, monastery, and friary, the liturgical calendar, cults, and schooling, relating sacred topography to daily life. In lucid Victorian prose, Besant marries archival precision to narrative verve, supported by plans and illustrations. A novelist-turned-antiquary and tireless walker of London, Besant combined literary craft with meticulous research in Stow and the civic archives, while campaigning for urban reform and authors rights. His firsthand acquaintance with the metropolis shaped his interest in the medieval institutions beneath its modern streets. Published posthumously, the work distills decades of collecting notes, maps, and anecdotes into an authoritative, accessible synthesis. Essential for medievalists, urban historians, genealogists, and curious Londoners, these volumes remain a landmark of topographical scholarship. Read them to see how streets, parishes, and guilds cohered into a city whose medieval frameworks still underwrite Londons modern character.Quickie Classics summarizes timeless works with precision, preserving the authors voice and keeping the prose clear, fast, and readabledistilled, never diluted. Enriched Edition extras: Introduction · Synopsis · Historical Context · Brief Analysis · 4 Reflection Q&As · Editorial Footnotes.

The History of Medieval London traces the citys growth from Roman remnant to late medieval metropolis, charting civic liberties, the rise of the mayoralty, and the machinery of wards, guilds, and livery companies. Besant moves from river-borne commerce on the Thames and the Steelyard to Cheapsides markets, from St Pauls to the city walls, and through crises such as the Black Death and the 1381 rising. His narrative marries documentary precision with topographical color, a Victorian antiquarian style that situates institutions within social and economic change. Sir Walter Besant, a novelist-turned-historian and ardent interpreter of London, wrote from deep familiarity with civic archives and chronicles, seeking to make the Citys past legible to a broad public. His advocacy for urban improvement and education, and work among Londons poorer districts, sharpened his attention to associational life, charitable foundations, and the practical governance that underpinned liberties and trade. Scholars of medieval urbanism, students of English institutions, and general readers will find this study both authoritative and inviting. Read it for its synthesis of dispersed records into a coherent civic biography and for its lucid sense of placethe book remains an essential companion to the documentary record and the streets it illuminates.Quickie Classics summarizes timeless works with precision, preserving the authors voice and keeping the prose clear, fast, and readabledistilled, never diluted. Enriched Edition extras: Introduction · Synopsis · Historical Context · Brief Analysis · 4 Reflection Q&As · Editorial Footnotes.

La historia no ficticia de El arte de la ficción comienza el 25 de abril de 1884 en la Royal Institution de Londres, donde Walter Besant, por entonces en el apogeo de su popularidad como narrador, pronuncia una conferencia de titulo homonimo posteriormente recogida en fasciculo y ampliamente difundida en la prensa. Sabiendose aludidos, Henry James y Robert Louis Stevenson deciden salir al paso y entrar en la discusion; el primero, con un articulo publicado algunos meses mas tarde en Longman’s Magazine; el segundo, difundiendo en esa misma revista un texto titulado "Una humilde amonestacion", dirigida sobre todo a James, a quien consideraba un maestro en el arte de la novela. La presente suite critica, compuesta por sus tres disertaciones en torno a la ficcion narrativa, ya afines, ya divergentes, ofrece a los lectores solidas perspectivas que expanden su influencia hasta la novela de nuestros dias.