Mint Editions

Hawaiian Legends of Ghosts and Ghost-Gods (1915) is a collection of Hawaiian folktales and myths by W. D. Westervelt. Connecting the origin story of Hawaii to the traditions of other Polynesian cultures, Westervelt provides an invaluable resource for understanding the historical and geographical scope of Hawaiian culture. Drawing on the work of David Malo, Samuel Kamakau, and Abraham Fornander, Westervelt, originally from Ohio, became a leading authority on the Hawaiian Islands, publishing extensively on their legends, religious beliefs, and folk tales. "The legends of the Hawaiian Islands are as diverse as those of any country in the world. They are also entirely distinct in form and thought from the fairy tales, which excite the interest and wonder of the English and German children. The mythology of Hawaii follows the laws upon which all myths are constructed." Part ethnography, part geological description, Westervelt's work is a powerful celebration of the cultural traditions of the Hawaiian Islands. In these legends, ghosts and gods interact with the environment and the daily lives of islanders, shaping human society and the land itself. Highlights include the story of the Wauhaula heiau, or temple, the legend of the enraged Hau-pu and the Rock of Kauai, and the tale of Nanaue, the shark-man of Waipio Valley.

Romeo and Juliet (1597) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. Inspired by an Italian tale adapted for an English audience in 1562 by Arthur Brooke and in 1567 by William Painter, Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet sometime between 1591 and 1595. Alongside Hamlet, it is one of Shakespeare's most performed plays and has served as source material for countless film and television adaptations. "Two households, both alike in dignity, / In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, / From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, / Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean." For his wit and wordplay alone, William Shakespeare is often considered the greatest writer to ever work in the English language. Where he truly triumphs, however, is in his ability to portray complex human emotions, how these emotions contribute to relationships, and how these relationships interact with politics, culture, and religion. In Romeo and Juliet, a "pair of star-cross'd lovers" risk their lives for one another. Because Romeo is a Montague, he cannot love Juliet, a Capulet, the sworn enemies of his family and their major rival in the city of Verona. As is often the case, their hearts refuse the limits of history, leading them to their tragic, unforgettable end. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

Love's Labour's Lost (1596) is a comedy by William Shakespeare. The play was written to be performed for Queen Elizabeth at the Inns of Court, and has frequently been recognized for its length and complex wordplay. Although rarely staged up until the nineteenth century, Love's Labour's Lost has seen a resurgence over the last century, serving as source material for musicals, films, and television shows alike. "Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye, / Not utt'red by base sale of chapmen's tongues; / I am less proud to hear you tell my worth / Than you much willing to be counted wise." For his wit and wordplay alone, William Shakespeare is often considered the greatest writer to ever work in the English language. Where he truly triumphs, however, is in his ability to portray complex human emotions, how these emotions contribute to relationships, and how these relationships interact with politics, culture, and religion. King Ferdinand of Navarre takes an oath with his closest friends and advisors: for three years, they will commit to dietary moderation and intellectual enrichment, depriving themselves of the company of women. When the Princess of France arrives with her ladies on important business, she finds herself unable to get within a mile of court due to the King's strict order. One by one, the King and his men fall in love with the French women, though each is unwilling to admit it without first implicating his comrades. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of William Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

"The first taste I had for books came to me from my pleasure in the fables of the Metamorphoses of Ovid. For at about seven or eight years of age I would steal away from any other pleasure to read them, inasmuch as this language was my mother tongue, and it was the easiest book I knew and the best suited by its content to my tender age." –Michel de Montaigne</p Ars Amatoria; or, The Art of Love (2 AD) is an instructional poem by Ovid. Divided into three books, Ars Amatoria; or, The Art of Love was immensely popular-if a little controversial-in its time, and has survived numerous charges of indecency over the centuries. For the modern reader, it should prove a surprisingly relatable work on intimacy from an author of the ancient world. Although it has been argued that the publication of this work led to Ovid's exile in 8 AD, it remains unlikely that the poet was banished for anything other than political reasons having to do with succession. At times serious, at others humorous, Ars Amatoria; or, The Art of Love uses a mix of down-to-earth examples and relatable references to mythology in order to offer salient advice for the reader longing for love. Far from a valuable artifact of classical literature-which it is, in part-Ovid's work is a wonderfully straightforward textbook on all aspects of human relationships. Topics include etiquette, remembering birthdays, avoiding unhealthy jealousy, being open to older and younger lovers, and nurturing honesty. On sex, Ovid suggests a careful selection of positions according to comfort and physique, ultimately recommending that love-making be done in a way that pleasures all parties involved. Ars Amatoria; or, The Art of Love, although frequently tongue-in-cheek, is an earnest and effective attempt to enlighten and encourage its readers to partake-responsibly-in one of life's greatest pleasures. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Ovid's Ars Amatoria; or, The Art of Love is a classic work of Roman literature reimagined for modern readers.

Magnolia Leaves (1897) is a collection of poems by Mary Weston Fordham. Published toward the end of her life, Fordham's only collection appeared in print with an introduction by Booker T. Washington, who saw in its author an undeniable gift which could prove "[t]he Negro's right to be considered worthy of recognition in the field of poetic effort." Meditating on such themes as morality, labor, maternity, liberty, and faith, Mary Weston Fordham displays not only a mastery of poetic form, but a hard-earned wisdom and talent for observing life in all its forms. "With hands all reddened and sore, / With back and shoulders low bent, / She stands all day, and part of the night / Till her strength is well-nigh spent." In "The Washerwoman," Fordham depicts a woman whose life on earth revolves around labor, for whom life after death means the promise of hard-earned rest, to "be found on the other shore." While many, if not all, of Fordham's poems revolve around Christian imagery and themes, some, including "Chicago Exposition Ode," "Stars and Stripes," and "Alaska," reflect on the promise of freedom and liberty in the aftermath of the Civil War. Her poems strive to depict the diversity of nineteenth century America, such as in "Atlanta Exposition Ode," which celebrates the end of war and the coming together of former slaves, Union soldiers, and Confederate forces alike. "Song to Erin" and "Highland Mary" depict the immigrant experience, while "The Cherokee" mourns the murder and displacement of America's indigenous peoples. In sixty-six poems, Mary Weston Fordham distils the experience of a lifetime and the wisdom of one who has experienced loss and found the strength to move forward. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Mary Weston Fordham's Magnolia Leaves is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Published in 1924, “The Life and Letters of Emily Dickinson” is a biography by her niece Martha Dickinson Bianchi. Featuring detailed biographical essays and her letters, for the first time arranged chronically, the book stands as a retelling of her aunt's life from the perspective of family in an attempt to challenge the image of Emily Dickinson as a cold, isolated woman of mystery. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Life and Letters of Emily Dickinson is a must-read biography reimagined for modern readers.

Daughters of Destiny (1906) is a novel by L. Frank Baum. Although he is more widely known as the author of the Land of Oz series, Baum also used several pseudonyms to make forays into more conventional fiction for adults. Daughters of Destiny, written under the pen name "Schuyler Staunton," is a story of corruption, political intrigue, romance, and adventure. "When the American Construction Syndicate, of New York and Chicago, conceived the idea of laying a railway across Baluchistan, through the Alexandrian Pass and so into the Lower Indies-thus connecting Asia and Europe by the shortest possible route-it was regarded as a bold undertaking even for this gigantic corporation." Despite the cost and difficulty of building a railroad across the mountainous desert landscape of Baluchistan, the American Construction Syndicate pushes forward for the sake of pride and greed. Appointed to lead a commission to the Baluchi ruler, Colonel Piedmont Moore travels abroad with his friend Dr. Warner, his daughter Janet, and Warner's children Allison and Bessie. When they arrive in Baluchistan, they discover that the kingdom is undergoing a period of political unrest: the Khan is dying, and two princes are vying to inherit the throne. While Daughters of Destiny is far from the fantasy and fairy tale style most of Baum's readers adore him for, it remains an entertaining work of adventure fiction for devoted fans of the Oz series and newcomers alike. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of L. Frank Baum's Daughters of Destiny is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

The Skeleton Count, or The Vampire Mistress (1828) is a penny dreadful by Elizabeth Caroline Grey. Although the novel's authorship is frequently disputed, The Skeleton Count, or The Vampire Mistress is likely the first vampire tale to be written and published by a woman. Like most penny dreadfuls, the novel makes up for a lack in style with an abundance of horror and romance. "When he had concluded the impious formula, an awful silence reigned in the turret, and he perceived the sheet gently agitated by the quivering of the limbs, which betokened returning animation. Then a shudder pervaded his frame in spite of himself, as he perceived the eyes of the corpse slowly open, and the dark dilated pupils fix their gaze on him with a strange and stolid glare." Desperate to live to eternity, Count Rodolph makes a dangerous deal with the devil. Invigorated with his newfound power, Rodolph reanimates the corpse of the beautiful Bertha, a fitting bride to accompany him in his quest for everlasting life. Will she be a loyal and irresistible vampire mistress, or will the Count's creation turn against him? The Skeleton Count, or The Vampire Mistress is an entertaining tale of terror and the occult from a prolific author of nineteenth century penny dreadfuls. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Elizabeth Caroline Grey's The Skeleton Count, or The Vampire Mistress is a classic penny dreadful reimagined for modern readers.

The History of a Crime (1877) is a book-length essay by Victor Hugo. While Hugo is famous today for his status as a leading French poet and novelist of the nineteenth century, he was also a gifted historian and memoirist who served on the National Assembly of the Second Republic. Following the coup d'état of Napoleon III in 1851, Hugo was among the insurrectionists who revolted against military forces on the streets of Paris. Despite their efforts, the coup was successful, leading to Hugo's exile until 1870. "To outrage Right, to suppress the Assembly, to abolish the Constitution, to strangle the Republic, to overthrow the Nation, to sully the Flag, to dishonor the Army, to suborn the Clergy and the Magistracy, to succeed, to triumph, to govern, to administer, to exile, to banish, to transport, to ruin, to assassinate, to reign, with such complicities that the law at last resembles a foul bed of corruption. What! All these enormities were to be committed! And by whom?" The French Second Republic was already in danger when Napoleon III was elected President of France in 1848. A populist, he was in constant conflict with the National Assembly and, nearing the end of his term, sought to seek reelection through constitutional change. When this avenue was denied, he began preparations for Operation Rubicon, a secret plan to conduct a coup d'état with the help of the Army and other high-ranking officials. On December 2nd, 1851, the anniversary of his uncle Napoleon Bonaparte's coronation and victory at Austerlitz, the coup took place. Hugo, a National Assembly member, took to the streets of Paris with thousands of his fellow insurrectionaries, many of whom were beaten, arrested, and murdered for their actions. Despite their efforts, the coup was successful, leading to the reestablishment of the French Empire in 1852. Hugo's essay-part history, part memoir-is a brilliant retelling of one of democracy's darkest moments. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Victor Hugo's The History of a Crime is a classic work of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

My Reminiscences was written by Tagore in his fiftieth-year, as he prepared to embark on a journey around the world. "I know not who paints the pictures on memory's canvas, but whoever he may be, what he is painting are pictures, by which I mean that he is not there with his brush simply to make a faithful copy of all that is happening. He takes in and leaves out according to his taste…In short he is painting pictures, and not writing history." In this collection of memories, Tagore is at his philosophical, poetic best, reflecting earnestly and with ease on matters public and private. Looking back on a life at the center of Indian culture, Tagore moves fluidly and fluently from youth to young adulthood, recalling family, friends, servants, and strangers with clarity and curiosity. Afloat in his houseboat, lying on a rooftop at night, or exploring the outer limits of his mind, Tagore shares his insight with us all.

When W.B. Yeats discovered Rabindranath Tagore's work in translation, he felt an intense kinship with a man, whose work was similarly grounded in spirituality and opposition to the British Empire. For the Irish poet, Tagore's poems were at once deeply personal and essentially universal, like a secret kept by all and shared regardless: "I have carried the manuscript of these translations about with me for days, reading it in railway trains, or on the top of omnibuses and in restaurants, and I have often had to close it lest some stranger would see how much it moved me." Whether or not we admit it, his words never fail to remind us: to be human is to be vulnerable. "Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again-and-again, and fillest it ever with fresh life. This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new." The essence of Gitanjali is humility. Written following the deaths of his wife and two children, the collection unites poetry and prayer in search of peace. Grounded in Hindu tradition, his poems remain recognizable to readers of all faiths and nations. His subjects are love and loss, life and death, belief and despair. Through them, he approaches truth.

Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands (1857) is the autobiography of Mary Seacole. Recognized for her pioneering healthcare work for soldiers and citizens around the world, Seacole was also the first Black Briton to publish an autobiographical work. Although Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands underwent editing by an anonymous person, it is a first-person account of Seacole's experiences during outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and war. "As I grew into womanhood, I began to indulge that longing to travel which will never leave me while I have health and vigour. I was never weary of tracing upon an old map the route to England, and never followed with my gaze the stately ships homeward bound without longing to be in them, and see the blue hills of Jamaica fade into the distance." Adventurous and energetic, empathetic and kind, Mary Seacole was a pioneering traveler and healer who saved countless lives and cared for the sick and dying on both sides of the Atlantic. From her early work with cholera and malaria patients in the Caribbean to her famous British Hotel, opened on the outskirts of Sevastopol, during the Crimean War, Seacole served the suffering without regard for her own health or finances. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Mary Seacole's Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

Helen of Troy and Other Poems (1911) is a poetry collection by Sara Teasdale. The poet's second collection, published several years before she was awarded the 1918 Pulitzer Prize, is a masterful collection of lyric poems meditating on life, romance, and the natural world. Somber and celebratory, symbolic and grounded in experience, Helen of Troy and Other Poems revels in the mystery of existence itself. "Wild flight on flight against the fading dawn / The flames' red wings soar upward duskily. / This is the funeral pyre and Troy is dead / That sparkled so the day I saw it first, / And darkened slowly after. I am she / Who loves all beauty-yet I wither it." As Troy burns, Teasdale imagines an impassioned monologue given from the ramparts by the infamous Helen, whose faithlessness in marriage was the catalyst for war in Homer's Iliad. Although she is often seen as a minor character, more an object of male desire than an autonomous subject in her own right, Teasdale refuses to follow the template passed down by generations of poets-mostly men. Her Helen is meditative and intelligent, capable of immense sorrow and full-throated rage alike: "Men's lives shall waste with longing after me, / For I shall be the sum of their desire, / The whole of beauty, never seen again." While acknowledging her role in Troy's destruction, Helen is a tragic figure in Teasdale's poem, a woman who never asked for beauty, let alone for the troubles that beauty brought down on the world. Containing monologue poems from such figures as Sappho, Beatrice, and Guenevere, alongside a series of love poems and finely-crafted sonnets, Helen of Troy and Other Poems is a brilliant collection by a gifted American poet. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Sara Teasdale's Helen of Troy and Other Poems is a classic work of American poetry reimagined for modern readers.

The Flowers of Evil (1857) is a collection of poems by Charles Baudelaire. Translated into English by Cyril Scott in 1909, Baudelaire's poems remain lively and idiosyncratic nearly two centuries after they came into existence. Comprised mostly of sonnets and short lyrics, The Flowers of Evil captures Baudelaire's sense of the changing role of the poet in modern life. Rather than focus on beauty and other ideals, Baudelaire explores the totality of human experience- the good, bad, and ugly of life on earth.

Caste and Outcast (1923) is an autobiography by Dhan Gopal Mukerji. Published the year after Mukerji moved from San Francisco to New York City, Caste and Outcast is a moving autobiographical narrative from the first Indian writer to gain a popular audience in the United States.

In his landmark collection Gitanjali, Tagore explored the realm of the spirit, paring down language to its clearest, purest form. In The Gardener, he gives expression to more worldly themes. Here, he is a fisherman, a restless wanderer, a servant and queen, an observer of life in all forms.

The Man Who Lost Himself (1920) is a novel by Henry De Vere Stacpoole. Although he is more widely known for his novel The Blue Lagoon (1908), which inspired the 1980 hit drama starring Brooke Shields, Stacpoole was a prolific bestselling author whose dozens of literary works continue to inspire and entertain a century after they first appeared in print. "With no financial foundation, Victor and a Philadelphia gentleman had competed for a contract to supply the British Government with Harveyised steel struts, bolts, and girders, he had come over to London to press the business, he had interviewed men in brass hats, slow moving men who had turned him over to slower moving men. [...] [T]his morning their tender had been rejected." In this thrilling tale of mistaken identity, Stacpoole moves away from his favorite setting of the South Pacific to the frenzied streets and barrooms of London's financial district. There, a desperate businessman learns that his proposal to secure a lucrative contract has been denied. With no money and a slew of creditors to appease, Victor Jones heads for the hotel bar to drown his sorrows. In his bleakest moment, he meets his doppelganger, an Englishman named Mr. Rochester. After a night of hard drinking, Jones awakens in a strange bedroom surrounded by the finest furniture money can buy. Before he can gather his senses, a servant enters with the paper and greets him as the Earl of Rochester. What he learns next will change his life forever. The Man Who Lost Himself was adapted into a 1920 silent film as well as a 1941 Hollywood feature starring Brian Aherne and Kay Francis. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Henry De Vere Stacpoole's The Man Who Lost Himself is a classic of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar: Poems, Plays and Prose (2021) is a selection of the literary works of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Dunbar Nelson. With such collections Oak and Ivy (1892) and Majors and Minors (1896), Paul Laurence Dunbar earned a reputation as an artist with a powerful vision of faith and perseverance who sought to capture and examine the diversity of the African American experience. In her poems, plays, and stories, Alice Dunbar Nelson explores themes of class, prejudice, faith, and romance while paying particular attention to the phenomenon of racial passing. Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar: Poems, Plays and Prose includes dozen of their individual literary works in a compact, carefully curated volume. Throughout his oeuvre, Dunbar explores the role of the poet in society, grounding each poem within his identity as a Black man in America. In "Frederick Douglass," an elegy written for the occasion of the great man's passing, Dunbar makes clear the consequences of pride and defiance in a nation built by slaves: "He dared the lightning in the lightning's track, / And answered thunder with his thunder back." In "The Place Where the Rainbow Ends," Dunbar, perhaps reflecting on his proximity to death, provides a simple song with a cautionary, utopian vision of hope and happiness: "Oh, many have sought it, / And all would have bought it, / With the blood we so recklessly spend, / But none has uncovered, / The gold, nor discovered / The spot at the rainbow's end." Meditative and bittersweet, Dunbar rejects wealth and power as a means of achieving fulfillment, looking instead to establish an inner peace for himself that he might "find without motion, / The place where the rainbow ends," a place "[w]here care shall be quiet, / And love shall run riot, / And [he] shall find wealth in [his] friends." Whether a vision of heaven or of the possibility of peace on earth, this poem finds echoes across Dunbar's penultimate volume. Nearing death at such a young age, he prepares himself to lose the life he had fought so hard to achieve, a life devoted to reaching the hearts and minds of others. Mine Eyes Have Seen (1918) is a one-act play by Alice Dunbar Nelson. Published in The Crisis, the influential journal of the NAACP, Mine Eyes Have Seen is a brutal portrait of race and identity in twentieth century America. Exploring themes of violence, faith, patriotism, and economic struggle, Dunbar Nelson crafts a poignant and unforgettable work of fiction. In the short story "The Goodness of St. Rocque," Manuela is a popular young woman of status in New Orleans' thriving Creole community. Like many women her age, she hopes to marry a handsome and successful man. Setting her sights on Theophile, she prepares to be courted in the traditional manner of her people. When rumor gets out that he has been spending time with Claralie, a beautiful blonde, Manuela is forced to seek supernatural assistance. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar: Poems, Plays and Prose is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Antony and Cleopatra (1607) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. Inspired by Thomas North's translation of Plutarch's Lives-a series of biographies on influential figures of the ancient world-Shakespeare wrote Antony and Cleopatra sometime between 1599 and 1601. Often considered a sequel of sorts to his earlier play Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra has served as source material for countless film and television adaptations. "Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch / Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space." For his wit and wordplay alone, William Shakespeare is often considered the greatest writer to ever work in the English language. Where he truly triumphs, however, is in his ability to portray complex human emotions, how these emotions contribute to relationships, and how these relationships interact with politics, culture, and religion. As the Roman Republic faces threats both foreign and domestic, Mark Antony-a triumvir alongside Lepidus and Octavius-abandons his duties to remain in Alexandria with his lover, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. When the demands of state become impossible to ignore any longer, he returns to Rome. There, he is encouraged to marry Octavia, the sister of his fellow ruler. At the risk of rupturing their fragile relationship, he consents, enraging Cleopatra. As conflict with Octavius forces Antony out of the triumvirate, he returns to his lover to rule over Egypt. But Rome and revenge are never too far away. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

Originally published in two volumes between 1923 and 1925, Africa for Africans, Or, The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey is a compilation of letters, speeches and essays by one of the Fathers of Pan-Africanism. Hailed by Martin Luther King Jr. as, "the first man of color...to make the Negro feel like he was somebody," Garvey was a polarizing yet influential figure whose legacy continues to be felt today. These philosophies, collected by his second wife and pioneering journalist, Amy Jacques Garvey, chronicle Garvey's initial impressions and recollections of America, the formation of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.), his imprisonment and subsequent trial over the Black Star Line, and his scathing opinions of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (N.A.A.C.P.) Including such pieces as, "An Appeal to the Soul of White America," "The Negro's Greatest Enemy," and "Declaration of Rights of the Negroes of the World," Africa for Africans, Or, The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey is an essential piece of Black history, professionally typeset and reimagined for modern readers.

The Cycle of Spring is a powerful and playful meditation on the cycle of nature, the ethics of leadership, and the regenerative function of art. Spring has arrived and the people are joyous, making music and preparing to celebrate the end of a harsh winter. At the palace, however, the King has discovered two grey hairs, cause for despair in a man obsessed with maintaining a youthful image. As his advisors attempt to focus his attention- a famine in Nagapatam requires his immediate intervention, an ambassador from China has arrived- the King summons the court Poet. Tasked with staging a performance for his majesty, the bard puts on a symbolic performance with the hope of inspiring a renewed sense of energy in the palace.

The Fugitive (1921) is a collection of poems by Rabindranath Tagore. Translated into English by Tagore after he received the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature, The Fugitive is a powerful collection of poems, dialogues, and songs by a master of Indian literature. "Darkly you sweep on, Eternal Fugitive, round whose bodiless rush stagnant space frets into eddying bubbles of light. Is your heart lost to the Lover calling you across his immeasurable loneliness?" The Fugitive is an intoxicating blend of prose poetry, verse dialogue, and songs that investigates themes of faith, love, death, and friendship. Here, Tagore is at the height of his creative powers, providing brilliant original lyrics alongside adaptations from the Hindu epics and his own translations of traditional Bengali songs. Filled with visions of flight, words between lovers torn apart, and powerful evocations of the natural world, The Fugitive is one of his most original works. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Rabindranath Tagore's The Fugitive is a classic of Indian literature reimagined for modern readers.

Ariel (1922) is an essay by José Enrique Rodó. Originally published in Spanish in 1900, Ariel was translated into English just five years after the author's death by F. J. Stimson, the former U. S. Ambassador to Argentina. The essay was immediately influential in Uruguay and across Latin America as an essential document of modernismo, a literary movement which sought to unite classical values and contemporary culture through a devotion to beauty and form. "The gifts of the youthful spirit-enthusiasm and hope-correspond in the harmonies of history and natural history to movement and to light. Wherever you shall turn your eyes you will find these, the natural atmosphere in which move all things that are strong and beautiful." Captivated by a bronze statue of Ariel from Shakespeare's The Tempest, a teacher known as Prospero speaks passionately to his young students on the eve of summer vacation. Taking a historical view of human civilization, José Enrique Rodó applies the teachings of the Enlightenment to the political reality facing Latin America in the early twentieth century. Promoting morality and idealism over the encroaching utilitarianism of North America, Rodó crafted what one critic called "the ethical gospel of the Spanish-speaking new world." With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of José Enrique Rodó's Ariel is a classic of Uruguayan literature reimagined for modern readers.

Orchard and Vineyard (1921) is a poetry collection by Vita Sackville-West.

The play is based on the story of Chitrangada and Arjuna from Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. "I am Chitra, the daughter of the kingly house of Manipur. With godlike grace Lord Shiva promised to my royal grandsire an unbroken line of male descent. Nevertheless, the divine word proved powerless to change the spark of life in my mother's womb-so invincible was my nature, woman though I be." Her whole life, Chitra has tried to live up to her father's name. Raised as the son he never had, she becomes a fearsome warrior and legendary hero, yet still longs for something more. When she meets the handsome Arjuna, Chitra petitions the god of love to make her beautiful. Mercifully, they allow her to be with her lover for one whole year.

The Book of Tea (1906) is a book-length essay by Okakura Kakuzō. Connected to the author's overall project of celebrating Japanese culture and emphasizing the role of the East in creating the modern world, The Book of Tea is considered a classic work on the subject. His description of chadō, or teaism, remains incredibly influential in England and around the Western world. "[Teaism] insulates purity and harmony, the mystery of mutual charity, the romanticism of the social order. It is essentially a worship of the Imperfect, as it is a tender attempt to accomplish something possible in this impossible thing we know as life." Part philosophy, part history, The Book of Tea explores the role of tea in shaping the arts and culture of Japan, China, and the world. Beginning with an investigation of the historical uses of tea, Okakura reflects on the specific techniques of tea brewing, the connections between tea and religion, and the interconnection of tea and the creative arts. Informative and meditative, The Book of Tea is an essential work for tea drinkers everywhere.

Southern Horrors (1892) is a pamphlet by Ida B. Wells. Published several months after a white mob destroyed the office of her prominent Memphis newspaper, the Free Speech, Southern Horrors is an impassioned work of investigative journalism and political criticism from a leading activist of the nineteenth century. "Nobody in this section of the country believes the old thread-bare lie that Negro men rape white women. If Southern white men are not careful, they will overreach themselves and public sentiment will have a reaction; a conclusion will then be reached which will be very damaging to the moral reputation of their women." After publishing these words in a May 1892 edition of the Memphis Free Speech, Ida B. Wells left for a brief vacation in New York-no doubt inspired by the numerous threats made against her life at the time. In her absence, a mob of white men destroyed the newspaper's office, leaving no trace of her extensive research on the last half century of violence perpetrated against African Americans in the name of white supremacy. Undeterred, Wells published Southern Horrors just months later, combining personal reflections on the incident with daring investigative reporting on the widespread practice of lynching in the American South. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Ida B. Wells' Southern Horrors is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

The King of the Dark Chamber is a symbolic drama exploring themes of faith, power, citizenship, and love. Part meditation on human government, part reflection on humanity's connection to god, Tagore's play is a masterpiece of Indian literature. "My faith is, to go on obeying the King- it does not matter whether he is a real one or a pretender. What do we know of Kings that we should judge them! It is like throwing stones in the dark-you are almost sure of hitting your mark. I go on obeying and acknowledging-if it is a real King, well and good: if not, what harm is there?" What is the nature of kingship? If a nation is prosperous, and its people happy, should they question their ruler? Such questions abound in The King of the Dark Chamber, a symbolic story of a King, who rules through absence alone. While he is more widely known as a poet, Tagore was also a gifted playwright who used the stage to explore timeless, universal themes. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Rabindranath Tagore's The King of the Dark Chamber is a classic of Indian literature reimagined for modern readers.

In Seven Stages: A Flying Trap Around the World (1891) is a travel narrative by American journalist Elizabeth Bisland. When Bly's journey-inspired by the travels of Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days (1873)-was announced in Joseph Pulitzer's popular newspaper the New York World, Cosmopolitan sent a young reporter of its own to race Bly across the globe. At the time, readers at home were encouraged to estimate the hour and day of Bisland's arrival, generating national interest and launching a series of copycat adventures by ambitious voyagers over the next few decades. "My appetite for mystery at that hour of the day is always lamentably feeble, and it was nearly eleven before I found time to go and investigate this one, although the office in question was only a few minutes' walk from my residence. On arriving, the editor and owner of the magazine asked if I would leave New York that evening for San Francisco and continue from there around the world, endeavoring to complete the journey in some absurdly inadequate space of time." Summoned from her life of work and leisure to undertake a several month journey around the world, Elizabeth Bisland rose to the occasion with courage and wit. Although Nellie Bly made it home five days before her-perhaps due to some subterfuge on the part of her publisher-Bisland took defeat in stride, writing an account filled with wonderful descriptions of her voyage. Ironic and self-effacing, Bisland's account, although less popular than Bly's, remains an essential work from the early days of tabloid entertainment and investigative journalism, a time when publishers were willing enough-or wild enough-to send correspondents on a globetrotting voyage in search of fame. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Elizabeth Bisland's In Seven Stages: A Flying Trap Around the World is a classic work of American travel literature reimagined for modern readers.

The White Wampum (1895) is the debut poetry collection of E. Pauline Johnson. Originally published in London, The White Wampum launched her career as one of Canada's most distinguished artists. Revered as one the foremost indigenous poets of her time, Johnson was a prolific writer whose works explored her Mohawk heritage while shedding light on the racism and persecution faced by indigenous peoples across North America. The White Wampum captures Johnson's range as a poet in tune with the Romantic tradition without erasing her dualistic sense of identity as a woman of Mohawk and English heritage. Choosing to emphasize the former, Johnson, who also went by Tekahionwake, her great-grandfather's name, adopts the persona of a Mohawk wife devoted to her husband, a powerful warrior: "I am Ojistoh, I am she, the wife / Of him whose name breathes bravery and life / And courage to the tribe that calls him chief. / I am Ojistoh, his white star, and he / Is land, and lake, and sky-and soul to me." When members of the rival Huron tribe capture Ojistoh, their plan for retribution fails to account for her own strength and willpower. Outnumbered and unarmed, she remains certain she will return to her husband alive. In "The Camper," Johnson invokes the beauty and simplicity of life on the plains, erasing for a moment all distinction between man and god, heaven and earth: "Night neath the northern skies, lone, black, and grim: / Nought but the starlight lies twixt heaven, and him. / Of man no need has he, of God, no prayer; / He and his Deity are brothers there." With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of E. Pauline Johnson's The White Wampum is a classic of Canadian literature reimagined for modern readers.

The Traditional History and Characteristic Sketches of the Ojibway Nation (1850) is a work of Indigenous American history by George Copway. Written while he was living with his wife and daughter in New York, The Traditional History and Characteristic Sketches of the Ojibway Nation helped establish Copway's reputation as a leading Native American author of the nineteenth century. Recognized as one of the first books of its kind written by an indigenous author, Copway's work is an invaluable resource for understanding the history of contact between settlers and indigenous peoples, some of whom, like Copway's family, assimilated and served as missionaries, translators, and ambassadors. "There is room and opportunity for adventure among the bold, broken, rugged rocks, piled up one upon another in 'charming confusion,' on the shores, along the borders of the silent waters, or beneath the solid cliffs against which the waters of Superior break with a force which has polished their rocky surface. The mountains, rivers, lakes, cliffs, and caverns of the Ojibway country, impress one with the thought that Nature has there built a home for Nature's children. Raised in a moment of immense cultural change for his people, George Copway played a complicated role as a Methodist missionary and Ojibway historian, preserving the traditions of his people while working to assimilate their religious beliefs with those of the white settlers whose presence so often proved detrimental to their continued existence. In this powerful work, one of the first written texts on Indigenous American history by an indigenous author, Copway reflects on the cultural traditions, geographical territory, and ancestral stories of the Ojibway people. Written in a poetic, meditative prose, The Traditional History and Characteristic Sketches of the Ojibway Nation remains essential reading nearly two centuries after it appeared in print.

Women Are People! (1917) is a collection of poems by Alice Duer Miller. Inspired by her work as an activist for women's suffrage, Miller published many of these poems individually in the New York Tribune before compiling them into this larger work. Focusing on the opposition of politicians and citizens alike, Miller makes a compelling and frequently hilarious case for the extension of voting rights to women across the nation. With her keen eye for hypocrisy and even keener ear for the rhythms of the English language, Alice Miller Duer crafts a poetry both personal and political.

Sword Blades and Poppy Seed (1914) is a poetry collection by Amy Lowell. Published at the beginning of her career as an influential imagist devoted to classical poetic themes and forms, Sword Blades and Poppy Seed is an agile and promising work from a pioneering poet of the early twentieth century. The title poem of Lowell's collection is an imaginative voyage into the mind of a poet struggling with writer's block, who scans the city for "the slightest tinge of gold" to no avail: "From time to time I wrote a word / Which lines and circles overscored. / My table seemed a graveyard, full / Of coffins waiting burial." Disgusted with her inability to write anything meaningful, she takes the streets, encountering a strange old man-part poppy dealer, part devil-who offers success in exchange for the poet's soul. Personal and public, keenly engaged with tradition-the Faustian legend, in particular-while maintaining her own private voice, Lowell's poems are an essential contribution to one of humanity's oldest art forms. Sword Blades and Poppy Seed is a vibrant collection from an emerging poet who would come to define the imagist movement throughout her storied career. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition Amy Lowell's Sword Blades and Poppy Seed is a classic work of American poetry reimagined for modern readers.

Fruit-Gathering is a powerful collection of prose poems by a master of Indian literature. "Bid me and I shall gather my fruits to bring them in full baskets into your courtyard, though some are lost and some not ripe. For the season grows heavy with its fullness, and there is a plaintive shepherd's pipe, in the shade. Bid me and I shall set sail on the river." In these poems of love, nature, faith, and dreams, Tagore is at the height of his creative powers. In one passage, he is a lovesick youth, in another, an illiterate man with a letter he cannot read. He longs to be a poet of the night, a singer of "fathomless silence." Filled with visions of saints and kings, celebrations of beauty, and powerful evocations of the natural world, Fruit-Gathering is one of his most original works.

The Lover's Assistant; or, New Art of Love (1760) is an updated translation of Ovid's Ars Amatoria; or, The Art of Love (2 AD) by English satirist Henry Fielding. Divided into three books, Ars Amatoria; or, The Art of Love was immensely popular-if a little controversial-in its time, and has survived numerous charges of indecency over the centuries. For the modern reader, it should prove a surprisingly relatable work on intimacy from an author of the ancient world. Fielding's translation, of the first book alone, remains true to Ovid's Latin while updating its examples and historical context for the contemporary English reader. At times serious, at others humorous, The Lover's Assistant, or, New Art of Love uses a mix of down-to-earth examples and relatable references to mythology in order to offer salient advice for the reader longing for love. Maintaining much of Ovid's content, Fielding replaces the context of the poem-ancient Rome-with that of his contemporary England. Topics include etiquette, remembering birthdays, avoiding unhealthy jealousy, being open to older and younger lovers, and nurturing honesty. With his wry wit and clear-eyed sense of English aristocratic life, Fielding-who is seen as a pioneer of English literature for his work, including the comic novel Tom Jones (1749) -provides a loyal reinterpretation of Ovid's classic study of romance between men and women. The Lover's Assistant, or, New Art of Love, although frequently tongue-in-cheek, is an earnest and effective attempt to enlighten and encourage its readers to partake-responsibly-in one of life's greatest pleasures.

The Water of the Wondrous Isles (1897) is a fantasy novel by William Morris. Although he is widely regarded as one of the most influential designers of the Victorian era, Morris was also a dedicated socialist and gifted novelist whose art explores the politics of his time through the lens of the imagination. Morris' work in the genres of fantasy and utopian science fiction is an underrecognized but nevertheless vital aspect of his contribution to English cultural advancement. "This little one, who is henceforth called Birdalone, though the witch called her but seldom so, nor indeed by any name, dwelt there betwixt the water and the wood, and saw none save the said witch-wife, who, as aforesaid, fed her well, but scarce meddled with her else for a long while..." In the rural town of Utterhay, a wicked witch from Evilshaw arrives to peddle her wares. Beholding a beautiful young girl, she endeavors to gain the trust of her young mother. Invited to their humble home, the witch provides the woman money to head to market for supper, but when the mother leaves, her devious guest kidnaps the girl and heads for the forest of Evilshaw. There, Birdalone is raised to be a servant until, struck with a newfound sense of independence, she steals a magic boat in order to make her escape. With the help of the fairy Habundia, she makes her way from one wondrous isle to the next, risking everything to return to her home and family. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of William Morris' The Water of the Wondrous Isles is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

All's Well That Ends Well (1607) is a comedy by William Shakespeare. All's Well That Ends Well was likely inspired by the tale of Giletta di Narbona from Boccaccio's Decameron. Unpopular during Shakespeare's lifetime, the play remains one of his least staged works to this day. Despite this, scholars praise All's Well That Ends Well for its moral ambiguity. "The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together, our virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not, and our crimes would despair if they were not cherish'd by our virtues." For his wit and wordplay alone, William Shakespeare is often considered the greatest writer to ever work in the English language. Where he truly triumphs, however, is in his ability to portray complex human emotions, how these emotions contribute to relationships, and how these relationships interact with politics, culture, and religion. In All's Well That Ends Well, as in so many of Shakespeare's works, love is the center of attention. When Helena heals the King of France, who had been suffering from a persistent illness, he allows her to choose a husband from among his closest advisors. She selects the handsome Bertram, who disdains her for her lowborn social status. Although they marry, he leaves for Italy before consummating their union, failing to suspect the lengths to which Helena will go to get what she desires. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of William Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

“From the Darkness Cometh the Light” (1891) is a memoir by Lucy A. Delaney. Published in St. Louis in the last year of Delaney's life, the work is regarded as an essential slave narrative and the only firsthand account of a freedom suit, by which some enslaved African Americans were able to achieve their freedom prior to emancipation. Twentieth century scholars of feminism and African American literature in particular have upheld her work and continue to celebrate her influence on the historical and cultural development of the nation. "On a dismal night in the month of September, Polly, with four other colored persons, were kidnapped, and, after being securely bound and gagged, were put into a skiff and carried across the Mississippi River to the city of St. Louis. Shortly after, these unfortunate negroes were taken up the Missouri River and sold into slavery." Tracing her mother's life back to this tragic event, Lucy A. Delaney tells a story of enslavement, hardship, and perseverance, the story of her family's struggle for freedom. As a young woman, Polly brought two lawsuits to court in St. Louis in the hopes of freeing herself and her daughter from slavery. Following their historic victory, mother and daughter remained together as Lucy attempted to start a family of her own. Despite losing her first husband and several children from her second marriage, Lucy remained dedicated to serving God and her community as a leader in her church and president of several organizations for the empowerment of African American women.

With a mix of both respectable and immoral advice, The Prince is a frank analysis on political power. Separated into four sections, The Prince is both a guide to obtain power and an explanation on the aspects that affect it. The first section discusses the types of principalities. According to Machiavelli, there are four different types-hereditary, mixed, new and ecclesiastical. While defining each type, Machiavelli also discusses the implications of each. Next, The Prince identifies types of armies. There are hired armies, which Machiavelli himself expressed distrust of, loaned troops (also known as auxiliaries), native, or a mix of the three. With intriguing contrasts, the next section reveals the most effective behavior and characteristics for a ruler. While it is advised to be stingy over generous, cruel over merciful, and champions dishonesty over inconvenience, The Prince also stresses the importance of being a well-like ruler with an enhanced reputation, creating a complex character to portray. Finally, to highlight why the aforementioned sections are necessary and accurate, the last section of The Prince discusses the political state of 16th century Italy. With examples of both effective and ineffective policies and rulers, The Prince provides intriguing philosophical and political discourse as well as a detailed look at the innerworkings of the Italian government during the Renaissance. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli introduces an unprecedented political analysis, creating a fascinating discussion on Renaissance politics while inviting readers to consider the evidence of Machiavelli's studies present in modern-day government. Machiavelli's work has paved the way for and shaped political parties that are still in practice even in a democratic society, consequently solidifying The Prince as an ever-present analysis of political science. This edition of Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince is presented in a modern font and features a new, eye-catching cover design. Providing both a riveting look into Renaissance politics and a relevant analysis of power, The Prince by Machiavelli possess a duality that preserves its influence.

The Cherry Orchard (1903) is Russian playwright and short story writer Anton Chekhov's final play. It was first performed at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1904, directed by acclaimed actor Konstantin Stanislavski-who also played the role of Leonid Gayev, the bizarre and uninspired brother of Madame Ranevskaya. It has since become one of twentieth century theater's most important-and most frequently staged-dramatic works. After five years of living in Paris with her lover-where she fled following the death of her young son-Madame Ranevskaya is brought back to her Russian estate by her daughter Anya. In her absence, Varya, Ranevskaya's adopted daughter, has cared for the estate to the best of her ability, but the family's debts have forced them to put the house and its renowned cherry orchard up for auction. Leonid Gayev, Madame Ranevskaya's brother, hopes to keep the estate, while Yermolai Lopakhin-a wealthy neighbor despite being born a peasant-encourages the family to sell. Although they initially shelter Madame Ranevskaya, she soon discovers the truth and decides-against the family's wishes-to throw a party none of them can afford. As the play reaches its tragic conclusion, the wealthy are forced to acknowledge their circumstances have changed, and the characters who depend on them for employment must do what they can to survive. The Cherry Orchard is a powerful drama that takes an unsparing appraisal of the massive shift in political and social circumstances undergone by Russians in the early twentieth-century.

The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy (1860) is a work of art history by Swiss historian Jacob Burckhardt. Recognized today as the founder of modern art history and as one of the key thinkers of the nineteenth century, Burckhardt changed not only the way we think about the Renaissance in relation to European and world history, but the value placed on art as a tool for understanding historical developments. The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy begins with a section on the historical events which sparked the Renaissance, focusing especially on the frequent military conflicts which marred the era as well as on the constant political upheavals undergone by such Italian regions and cities as Rome, Venice, and Florence. Burckhardt then moves to a philosophical discussion of the development of individuality in Italian culture, arguing that the political circumstances of those living in the Republics enabled such thinkers as Dante and Petrarch to create art that corresponded with that newfound sense of individuality. The third section discusses one of the key elements of Renaissance culture: the revival of interest in the cultural products of the ancient world, especially Greece and Rome. Part four focuses on the prominence of discovery in Renaissance culture, for which Burckhardt looks to the colonial expedition of Columbus, the growth of the natural sciences, and the achievements of such poets and writers as Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio in discovering new ways to describe humanity and the human spirit. In the fifth section, the importance of societal customs and festivals is discussed, and in the sixth and final part, Burckhardt observes the profound shifts undergone by religion and morality in Italy at the time. The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy is a thorough, dynamic work of art history that not only changed the study of history at universities around the world, but elevated the status of art in understanding the process of cultural change. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Jacob Burckhardt's The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy is a classic of European art history reimagined for modern readers.

The Collected Meditations of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart (2021) compiles the speeches and writings of Maria W. Stewart. This groundbreaking collection includes some of the best works from across Stewart's career as the first African American public lecturer, including Meditations from the Pen of Mrs. Maria Stewart, her 1832 speech delivered at the Franklin Hall, her address delivered before the African American Female Intelligence Society, and her lecture delivered at the African Masonic Hall in 1833. "Many will suffer for pleading the cause of oppressed Africa, and I shall glory in being one of her martyrs; for I am firmly persuaded that the God in whom I trust is able to protect me from the rage and malice of mine enemies, and from them that will rise up against me; and if there is no other way for me to escape, He is able to take me to himself..." In the brief span of five years, Stewart became one of Boston's most prominent lecturers on abolition and women's rights, passionately condemning the institution of slavery while calling attention to the racism faced by free African Americans living in the north. This collection places some of her best-known speeches alongside her highly regarded meditations, personal reflections on life as a Black woman in nineteenth century America. A keen observer of political events and a powerful voice against oppression of all kinds, Maria W. Stewart remains relatively unknown despite her prominent role in the movements for abolition and women's rights. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Collected Meditations of Mrs. Maria W. Stewart is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Three Sisters (1900) is a drama in four acts by Russian playwright and short story writer Anton Chekhov. It was first performed at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1901, directed by acclaimed actor Konstantin Stanislavski-who also played the role of Aleksandr Ignatyevich Vershinin, a philosophizing artillery officer in love with middle Prozorov sister Masha. Reviews were mixed at first, but as the play continued to run, Three Sisters became a popular success, acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. The play follows the Provorov family, focusing on sisters Olga, Masha, and Irina, as well as their brother Andrei. Each character struggles to balance their secret ambitions while facing the daily circumstances of reality. Olga, the oldest sister, is an unmarried schoolteacher who often finds herself responsible for the lives and happiness of others. Masha, the middle sister, is unhappily married to the kind Latin teacher Fyodor Kulygin, who knows about her affair with Lieutenant-Colonel Vershinin but continues to love and care for her. Irina, the youngest, is a vain and childish woman engaged to a man she respect but does not love. Andrei is initially an ambitious and energetic young man whose ill-fated marriage ruins not only his prospects of becoming a professor in Moscow, but his will to live as a man with any sense of self-respect. Natasha, who begins as an orphaned young woman unfit for high society, eventually emerges as a manipulative, envious woman whose love for her two children is matched only by her will to control the lives of the entire Prozorov family. Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov, is a brilliant drama whose complex characters make us believe, for a time, in an art more real than life.

Featuring twelve simple yet profound essays, Jerome K. Jerome's Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow is a humorous and clever collection. Each essay is crafted around a timeless and relatable issue, such as the unfortunately common inability to make decisions. On the Art of Making Up One's Mind observes this to be a common practice. Beginning with the story of a young woman who cannot decide what color of garment to buy, this essay takes notice of the everyday day occurrences of this struggle, comparing the experience for men and women. As a common theme in the collection, societal expectations and assumptions about gender play a main role in many of the essays, tackling topics such as relationships and dating. However, other essays focus on the universal experience of being human, separate from implications of gender. This is portrayed in On the Exceptional Merit Attaching to the Things We Meant to Do through the narrative of a failed craft. Despite shortcomings, pride always finds a way to warp reality, which is why Jerome ironically warns against taking advice in the essay On the Inadvisability of Following Advice. With discussions of pride, intention, vices, and ideals, Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow addresses the truths of topics that are simultaneously overlooked, yet universally experienced. With satirical prose and thoughtful reflection, Jerome K. Jerome combines humor and sentiment in Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, presenting serious topics without intimidation, inviting thought and laughter. Though first published over one-hundred years ago in 1898, Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow feature timeless and universal themes and realizations that remain to be clever and relevant to modern-day society.

A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass (1912) is a poetry collection by Amy Lowell. Published at the beginning of her career as an influential imagist devoted to classical poetic themes and forms, A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass is an agile and promising work from a pioneering poet of the early twentieth century. Containing lyric poems, sonnets, verses for children, and a masterful long poem, A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass is a vibrant collection from an emerging poet who would come to define the imagist movement throughout her storied career. In poems like "Azure and Gold," Lowell displays natural imagery intertwined with the play of words, producing such stanzas as "April had covered the hills / With flickering yellows and reds, / The sparkle and coolness of snow / Was blown from the mountain beds." From the drama inherent to seasonal change, she extracts a revelation from "the song of birds, / Who, swinging unseen under leaves, / Made music more eager than words." In "The Boston Athenaeum," a masterful long poem on one of the oldest libraries in the United States, she recalls "Long, peaceful hours seated on the floor / Of some retired nook, all lined with books, / Where reverie and quiet reign supreme!" Personal and public, keenly engaged with tradition while maintaining her own private voice, Lowell's poems are an essential contribution to one of humanity's oldest art forms. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition Amy Lowell's A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass is a classic work of American poetry reimagined for modern readers.

The Complete Frances Harper (2021) is a collection of writing by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Harper, the first African American woman to publish a novel, gained a reputation as a popular poet and impassioned abolitionist in the decades leading up to the American Civil War. Much of her work was rediscovered in the twentieth century and preserved for its significance to some of the leading social movements of the nineteenth century, including temperance, abolition, and women's suffrage. As an artist for whom the personal was always political, Frances Harper served in a leadership role at the Women's Christian Temperance Union and worked to establish the National Association of Colored Women, serving for a time as vice president of the organization. Included in this volume are her early poetry volumes, such as Forest Leaves (1845) and Poems on Miscellaneous Subjects (1854). In "Bury Me in Free Land," an influential poem published in an 1858 edition of abolitionist newspaper The Anti-Slavery Bugle, Harper expresses her commitment to the cause of freedom in life or death terms: "I ask no monument, proud and high, / To arrest the gaze of the passers-by, / All that my yearning spirit craves, / Is bury me not in a land of slaves." She reflects on the theme of freedom throughout her body of work, often examining her own identity or experiences as a free Black woman alongside the lives of her enslaved countrymen. The Complete Frances Harper also includes her four groundbreaking novels. Minnie's Sacrifice (1869), originally serialized in the Christian Recorder, addresses such themes as miscegenation, passing, and the institutionalized rape of enslaved women using the story of Moses as inspiration. Sowing and Reaping (1876) is a novel concerned with the cause of temperance in a time when Black families were frequently torn apart by alcoholism. Trial and Triumph (1888-1889) is a politically conscious novel concerned with an African American community doing its best to overcome hardship with love and solidarity. Iola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted (1892) is a story of liberation set during the American Civil War that deals with such themes as abolition, miscegenation, and passing. In these novels, poems, speeches from across her lengthy career as an artist and activist, Harper not only dedicates herself to her suffering people, but imagines a time "When men of diverse sects and creeds / Are clasping hand in hand." With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Complete Frances Harper is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

The Spirit of Japan (1916) is a speech by Rabindranath Tagore. Published after he received the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature, The Spirit of Japan is a powerful lecture on Japanese culture in relation to the modernizing forces of the West. Delivered at the Keio Gijuku University in Tokyo, The Spirit of Japan is a testament to Tagore's gifts as an artist and intellectual. "True modernism is freedom of mind, not slavery of taste. It is independence of thought and action, not tutelage under European schoolmasters. It is science, but not its wrong application in life,-a mere imitation of our science teachers who reduce it into a superstition absurdly invoking its aid for all impossible purposes." Invigorated by a tour of Japan, Rabindranath Tagore reflects on a culture which, to his mind, has "realized nature's secrets, not by methods of analytical knowledge, but by sympathy." Before he returns to his native country, he makes sure to warn the gathering of Japanese students who have come to hear him speak of the dangers of modernization and the encroachment of European values. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Rabindranath Tagore's The Spirit of Japan is a classic of Indian literature reimagined for modern readers.

The Georgics (29 BC) is a poem by Roman poet Virgil. Although less prominent than The Aeneid, Virgil's legendary epic of the Trojan hero Aeneas and his discovery of what would later become the city of Rome, The Georgics have endured as a landmark in the history of poetry. The Georgics were inspired by Lucretius's De Rerum Natura and Hesiod's Works and Days, an Ancient Greek poem describing the creation of the cosmos, the history of Earth, and the role of agriculture in human life. The Georgics is considered Virgil's second major work of three and has inspired generations of poets and scholars interested in the ability of literature to bridge the artificial gap between humanity and the natural world. "What makes the cornfield smile [...] What pains for cattle-keeping, or what proof / Of patient trial serves for thrifty bees; / Such are my themes." Beginning with these lines, Virgil's Georgics is a poem about the life of the world and the need for order to ensure humanity's survival. Surveying such diverse topics as the creation of the universe, the cycles of human history, and the technical processes applied to soil and animals to produce food and sustain life itself, this poem attempts to rekindle in its reader a sense of unity with the world. Written in a time of immense political upheaval following the death of Julius Caesar and the rise of Emperor Augustus, The Georgics is as much a poem of survival as of faith, a falling back on the old ways that sustain and nurture life, a way of preserving a volatile present for a future forever in the making.