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The nine lyric poets were a canon of ancient Greek composers esteemed by the scholars of Hellenistic Alexandria as worthy of critical study. The most famous of which is probably Sappho, who was born sometime between 630 and 612 BC on the Greek island of Lesbos. The famous Library of Alexandria collected Sappho's poems into nine books, unfortunately these editions have been lost. Today only fragments of the poetess' work remains. These fragments are collected together here in this volume of "The Poems of Sappho and Others" along with fragments of the other Greek monodist lyric poets contemporary to Sappho. Altogether we find the poetry of Alcaeus, Pythermus, Anacreon, Anacreontea, Corrina, Telesilla, Praxilla, Erinna as well as Sappho in this volume of poetry translated by Walter Petersen. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Bushido, which literally means "the way of warriors" is a code of conduct, based upon a set of honors and ideals associated with the samurai way of life, that has greatly influenced the culture and people of Japan. The origin of bushido likely dates to sometime between the 16th and 20th century in Japan, though some scholars argue that it may have been built upon much earlier traditions. Born from the Neo-Confucianism of the Edo period, bushido emphasizes the eight virtues of righteousness, heroism, compassion, respect, honesty, honor, loyalty, and self-control. Noted diplomat, statesman, economist, educator, and author, Inazo Nitobe helped to introduce the culture of Japan to a western audience. Today he is best remembered for his work "Bushido: The Soul of Japan". First published in English in 1900, the work explores how the influence of the ancient code of bushido has had such a lasting effect on the culture and traditions of Japan. Drawing in the eastern traditions of Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism, Nitobe compares and contrasts bushido with the foundations of Western culture finding common ground in the spirit of medieval chivalry and the ethos of ancient Greece. While criticized in Japan contemporarily for presenting bushido from too Western of a perspective, the work is today recognized as a classic on the subject. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes an introduction by William Elliot Griffis.

The third novel in the "Anne of Green Gables" saga, Lucy M. Montgomery's "Anne of the Island" first debuted in 1915. The plucky young Anne Shirley is now all grown up into a smart beautiful young woman. Having left the environs of Avonlea, where she was employed as a teacher in the preceding novel, "Anne of Avonlea", Anne is off to pursue her dream of obtaining a college degree at Redmond College in Nova Scotia. She is joined there by childhood friends Gilbert Blythe and Charlie Sloane, both whom have affections for Anne, and by her good friend from Queen's Academy, Priscilla Grant. Along with old friends there are new ones in the beautiful but frivolous Philippa Gordon, and the darkly handsome and poetic Roy Gardner. "Anne of the Island", which follows Anne through all four years of college, is the story of how a young woman's idealized notions of romance are replaced by a mature sensibility of what love really is. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

An epic endeavor by a man genuinely enamored of his native Rome, Livy's "History of Rome" was originally written in 142 books spanning the entire history of the Roman people up to Livy's day in the time of Augustus in the first century BC. Of this monumental history, which took most of the Livy's life to complete, only 45 books still survive today. Livy begins with Aeneas' landing in Italy and the myth of the founding of Rome by Romulus. In later books Livy thoroughly covers the numerous wars and rulers of Rome. Though the work is a bit biased, its countless references to other sources are a testament of Livy's attempt to create an accurate, understandable history of the Roman Kingdom and later the Republic. Simultaneously a glorification of Rome and a passionate warning to future Romans, "Ab Urbe Condita" reflects the magnificence and ignominy, the opinions and interests, and the myths and political realities of one of history's most remarkable civilizations. This edition, which is printed on a premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of D. Spillan, collects the first five books of Livy's history beginning with the landing of Aeneas and concluding with the conquest of the Gauls.

The 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant is widely considered as one the most important figures in modern philosophy. His fundamental arguments with regard to the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and aesthetics, have been highly influential and form the basis for much of contemporary thought upon the subjects with which he was concerned. Kant believed that there were fundamental concepts that structured human experience, and that reason principally should guide one's examination of these concepts. Considered one of Kant's most important works, "The Critique of Pure Reason" is an exposition on humanity's faculty for reason in general. First published in 1781, this work builds upon the works of Kant's philosophical predecessors, notably the work of empiricists like John Locke and David Hume and of rationalists like Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Among the principal contributions to philosophy forwarded in this work is the idea that knowledge is both a product of experience, or "a posteriori" and independent of it, or "a priori". Additionally Kant argues that judgments may be "analytical", that they are contained within their own premise, or "synthetic", that they contribute something external to themselves. An enduringly influential work, "The Critique of Pure Reason" remains to this day as one of the most important works of Western philosophy. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of J. M. D. Meiklejohn.

First performed in 1882, Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" is the story of the animosity that can befall someone whose actions, while in the best interest of the public good, threaten the economic well being of a community. The story begins during an evening of entertaining at the household of Dr. Stockmann, the titular "enemy of the people". When the mayor of the town, Dr. Stockmann's brother Peter, and the editor of the town newspaper, Hovstad, come to Dr. Stockmann's home, he is confronted over the rumors that the water of the town baths may be contaminated. The two brothers argue over the morality of concealing or falsely shaping the narrative in regards to the problem. When a letter arrives confirming the contamination, Dr. Stockmann convinces Hovstad that he must publish the report, which sets into motion a great conflict amongst the townspeople over the financial cost of dealing with the contamination. In this tensely dramatic work we find Ibsen at his best in addressing the economic consequences of doing the right thing. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, follows the translation of R. Farquharson Sharp, and includes an introduction by Otto Heller.

Greek poet Hesiod, who lived sometime during the 8th and 7th century B.C., is regarded as one the most important poets of classical antiquity. What little is known of him largely comes from his own epic poetry, in which he unconventionally inserted details of his life. Only three of his works, the "Theogony," "Works and Days," and the "Shield of Heracles" survive to this day in their entirety. The "Theogony" is a foundational work of Greek mythology which concerns the creation of the world and the origins and genealogies of the Greek gods. In synthesizing the variety of local Greek traditions concerning the gods into a single narrative, Hesiod's "Theogony" would give uniformity to his culture's myths in a way that would be highly influential. Also included in this volume is Hesiod's "Works and Days," in which the poet argues that labor is a fundamental condition of human existence and to those who are willing to work success will most surely be achieved. A treatise on the virtue of hard work, "Works and Days" is a didactic poem addressed to his brother Perses, who has squandered his inheritance, and who through bribery has deprived Hesiod of part of his own patrimony. Lastly in this volume is the "Shield of Heracles" a work which details the conflict between the mythological figures of Heracles and Cycnus. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translations of Hugh G. Evelyn-White.

First published serially between January and December of 1878 in the sensationalistic monthly London magazine "Belgravia", Thomas Hardy's "The Return of the Native" is the author's sixth published novel. Set in Egdon Heath, an area of Thomas Hardy's fictionalized Wessex known for the thorny evergreen shrubs, called furze or gorse, which are cut there by its residents for fuel. When the story begins, on Guy Fawkes Night, we find Diggory Venn, a merchant of the red mineral called reddle which farmers use to mark their sheep, giving aid to Thomasin Yeobright, whom he is in love with but has unsuccessfully wooed over the preceding two years. Diggory is helping Thomasin, who is in distress having left town with Damon Wildeve under the false promise of matrimony, return home to her aunt, Mrs. Yeobright. Damon has rebuffed Thomasin in favor of the beautiful young Eustacia Vye. However when Mrs. Yeobright's son Clym, a successful diamond merchant, returns from Paris, Eustacia loses interest in Damon, seeing a relationship with Clym as an opportunity to escape the Heath in favor of a more glamorous and exciting locale. A classically modern novel, "The Return of the Native" presents a world of people struggling between their unfulfilled desires and the expectations of society. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes an introduction by J. W. Cunliffe.

First published in 1912, "Riders of the Purple Sage" is Zane Grey's genre defining novel which has been referred to as "the most popular western novel of all time." Set in the canyon country of southern Utah in 1871, it is the story of Jane Withersteen, a Mormon who has refused the wishes of her father to marry Elder Tull because she does not love him. Jane, whose father has passed away and has inherited his valuable ranch, is persecuted by the Mormon community for her refusal to marry Elder Tull, and for her befriending of cowboy Bern Venters, a non-Mormon. The conflict between Jane and the rest of the community intensifies when a mysterious stranger named Lassiter, who is seeking to avenge the murder of his sister Milly Erne, comes to town. Rich with western detail, set against the backdrop of the Mormon influx into Utah, with a mysterious "Masked Rider", and a gang of rustlers, "Riders of the Purple Sage" played an important role in shaping the formula of popular Western fiction and remains to this day one of its most popular examples. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes illustrations by W. Herbert Dunton.

First published in 1609 "An Introduction to the Devout Life" is Saint Francis de Sales work which belongs to the Christian tradition of "Lectio Divina" or "Divine Reading". Like Thomas à Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ" it is a work intended to provide guidance to the individual desiring spiritual direction in order to lead a more devout life. Based on a series of letters between Francis and his cousin, Madame Marie de Charmoisy, who as the wife of an ambassador of the Duke of Savoy was struggling with the distractions to faith associated with court life, "An Introduction to the Devout Life" was crafted from those original letters into a guide for a more general audience. Through five parts Francis discusses the aspiration to a devout life, the use of prayer and sacraments, the personal characteristics of virtue necessary to the devout life, the challenge of temptation and how to overcome it, and the practices for renewing and confirming the soul in devotion. An immensely popular work of Christian spirituality "An Introduction to the Devout Life" remains as relevant today as when it was first published. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"The Man in the Iron Mask" represents the final portion of the third installment of the 'D'Artagnan Romances'. Preceded by "The Three Musketeers", the first volume; "Twenty Years After", the second volume; "The Vicomte de Bragelonne", part one of the third volume; "Ten Years Later" part two of the third volume; and "Louise de la Vallière", part three of the third volume; "The Man in the Iron Mask" is a tale that brings to life the mystery of one of the Bastille's most famous prisoners, a man whose identity is hidden behind an iron mask. In this work we find the original three Musketeers in retirement and D'Artagnan in the service of the corrupt Louis XIV. While the identity of the original man in the iron mask is unknown, Dumas constructs his story around the idea that the prisoner is in fact the twin brother of Louis XIV, imprisoned from birth by his father to prevent any conflict over a divided rule of the kingdom. When Aramis learns the secret of the man in the iron mask he devises a plot to replace the King with his twin brother, setting in motion a series of events which draws all the Musketeers back into action. An exciting work of political intrigue and high adventure, "The Man in the Iron Mask" brings to a tragic conclusion the adventures of the Musketeers. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1900, "Sister Carrie" is Theodore Dreiser's classic tale of Caroline "Sister Carrie" Meeber, a young woman living in rural Wisconsin who yearns for a more urban life. She takes the train to Chicago where she is taken in by her older sister Minnie and her husband. Caroline attempts to make her way in Chicago first by obtaining a job in a factory but is quickly confronted with the coarse reality of a working class life. When she becomes ill, and loses her factory job as a consequence, she must find another way to advance her station in life. An opportunity presents itself in the form of Charles H. Drouet, a buoyant traveling salesman whom Caroline first met on the train to Chicago and reencounters after losing her job in the factory. After dining with Drouet, who desires her affection, she is persuaded to move in with him. Caroline discovers that through her beauty she can achieve the material reward that she desires, first through a series of love affairs, and then ultimately by pursuing a career as an actress. Due to its unconventional morality and unromantic depiction of modern life "Sister Carrie" received a mixed response when first published, but since that time has come to be regarded as an American Classic. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1907, "Lord of the World" is the dystopian work of science fiction by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson which depicts the rise of the Anti-Christ and the ensuing end of the world. The novel begins with a prologue set in early 21st century London in which the history of the last century is described. A global rise of Marxism has divided the world up into three power-blocs; a European Confederation of Marxist one-party states, an Eastern Empire comprised of the former Asian and Oceanic countries, and an American Republic comprised of North, South, and Central America. Culture and politics is now dominated by a mix of Marxism, atheism, and secular humanism. As tensions between the European Confederation and the Eastern Empire inch the world ever closer to global war, a dynamic American politician, Vermont Senator Julian Felsenburgh, furiously crisscrosses the globe in charge of the American Republic's peace delegation. Felsenburgh through a wave of populist support and Machiavellian power plays arises to become leader of the world. Simultaneously Father Percy Franklin works against the global disintegration of religious faith. What follows is an apocalyptic conflict between these two dynamically opposed forces. Heralded as prophetic by religious leaders like Pope Francis, "Lord of the World" presents a not implausible dystopian imagination of the end of the world. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1888, "Looking Backward: 2000-1887" is the highly influential work of utopian science fiction by American journalist Edward Bellamy. In the years following the American Civil War a growth in inequality led to an increase in social and economic turmoil. The rise of ever larger and less competitive firms was causing wages to stagnate and created an appetite amongst the populace for solutions to help mitigate the negative effects of an unrestrained and increasingly plutocratic form of capitalism. This appetite gave rise to a popular new literary genre, the utopian socialist novel, of which "Looking Backward" is arguably one of the most famous examples of. It is the story of young Julian West who is induced by hypnosis into a deep 113 year sleep. When he awakes in the year 2000 he finds that America has been transformed into a socialist utopia. Upon waking West readily encounters Doctor Leete, who explains to him what has transpired since he has slept. Society through a combination of technological advancement and the nationalization of the productive capacity of the United States has become a world in which people work together in mutual cooperation and harmony. "Looking Backward" was one of the best-selling novels of the 19th century, one which would inspire a large number of people to promote more socialistic public policies. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes an introduction by Sylvester Baxter.

Originally published in serial form in 1884 to 1885, "Germinal" is Émile Zola's realistic depiction of the coalminers' strike in northern France in the 1860s. In this faithful translation from the original French by Havelock Ellis, the story centers on Étienne Lantier, a young migrant worker who arrives at the coalmining town of Montsou in search of work. Set against a backdrop of extreme poverty and oppression, "Germinal" is the story of the idealistic but naive Étienne, who embraces the ideals of the socialistic movement and goes on to lead a strike of the coalminers with disastrous consequences. In turns harrowing and violent, Zola brilliantly describes scenes of riots and dramatic rescues, while at the same time bringing to life the characters' romances, passions, and frailties. Based on exhaustive research of coalmining and the worker's movement, "Germinal" established Zola as a pioneer of the realist movement. Recognized as one of Zola's masterpieces, "Germinal" would widely become associated with the struggle of the working class and the socialistic movement that dominated the political environment of Europe at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1915, "The Voyage Out", Virginia Woolf's first novel, may be her most accessible. It is a witty social satire that chronicles the maturity of the young Englishwoman Rachel Vinrace as she takes a long voyage to South America from London on her father's ship. Rachel encounters an eclectic array of passengers on the boat and through them Woolf satirizes Edwardian life. This physical passage also becomes a journey of self-discovery for Rachel. She takes both a literal and mythical journey as she enters adulthood and moves from the sheltered world of her upbringing to the wide world full of potential and knowledge. While the novel is witty and satirical, it is also haunting and melancholic, with the beautifully flowing language uniquely characteristic of Woolf's writing. Many of the themes that come to dominate Woolf's later works, such as sexuality, consciousness, and death, are first explored in "The Voyage Out." Rachel's coming-of-age tale is that of the spiritual growth of a young woman that spans continents, a journey that paralleled that of Woolf's own life as she left her repressive upbringing to enter the world of art and intellectualism. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Fully entitled "The Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrims' Progress," Twain's colorful travelogue is a compilation of the newspaper articles he wrote while on a cruise to Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land with other American tourists in 1867. His account frequently uses humor to describe the people and places he visits, although this becomes highly satiric at times as Twain becomes frustrated with European profiteering, a pointless historical anecdote in Gibraltar, and the overly institutionalized nature of countries like Italy. Where he critiques, however, he also feels a strange reverence, as in the Canary Islands and the Holy Land. A more serious theme also flows through Twain's experience. Twain sees the conflict between history and the modern world as he travels with his New World compatriots through the lands of ancient civilizations, ultimately discovering that you can't believe everything you read in travel guidebooks. This landmark work finds Twain searching for the American identity as it increasingly casts its shadow over the world of Old Europe. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper with an Introduction by Edward P. Hingston.

One of the most beloved adventure stories of all time, "Treasure Island" is a swashbuckling tale of the search for hidden treasure. When an old sea captain by the name of Billy Bones dies at the Admiral Benbow Inn on the west coast of England during the mid-1700s, Jim Hawkins, the innkeeper's son, and his mother discover a treasure map among his belongings. Jim shows the map to some local acquaintances, Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney and together they plan an expedition to find the treasure. Together they set sail aboard the "Hispaniola" led by Captain Smollett in search of Treasure Island. Amongst the crew are numerous former pirates, who are led to mutiny by "Long John" Silver, a one-legged Bristol tavern-keeper who has been hired as the ship's cook. Written in the late 19th century, Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" dramatically depicts maritime life, rich with all its perils, in an adventure that investigates the nature of good and evil itself. This edition is illustrated by N. C. Wyeth and is printed on premium acid-free paper.

One of the most important works of Christian theology, the treatise "On the Incarnation" was written by the fourth century Egyptian religious leader St. Athanasius of Alexandria. An influential Christian theologian and church elder, St. Athanasius, also known as Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, and Athanasius the Apostolic, was the twentieth bishop of Alexandria from 328 AD to 373 AD. St. Athanasius played an important role in the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD where Roman Emperor Constantine the Great convened the council to address the question of whether Jesus of Nazareth was the son of God and distinct from his Father. "On the Incarnation" expands with clarity on the conclusion reached by the First Council of Nicaea, that God became man through His son, Jesus of Nazareth, and through Jesus, we too may become one with God. While brief, St. Athanasius explores in detail why God became flesh through Jesus and why this transformation was necessary to save the corrupted human soul and prepare it for a perfect and immortal union with God. This treatise, by one of the most important and influential teachers of Christian philosophy, is an essential read for all students of the Christian faith. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Archibald Robertson.

St. Teresa of Avila's 16th century work "The Way of Perfection" is a classic of Christian literature which was written for the nuns of the order she founded. Encouraged by her religious counselors, she sought to give advice and guidance to other nuns in her ways of prayer and Christian meditation during the upheaval and change of the Reformation in Europe. In this influential work, St. Teresa of Avila gives practical advice for incorporating prayer in one's everyday life and in using meditation and time spent in quiet repose to form a greater union with God and understanding of Christian mysticism. Through such meditation and deep contemplation, one could reach a state of rapture, or true communion with God. This guide directs its readers step by step to achieve a greater sense of spirituality and closeness with God by embracing fraternal love, rejecting material possessions, and practicing true humility. St. Teresa of Avila's practical wisdom has been deeply influential and continues to inspire the faithful centuries later. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Rev. John Dalton.

Saint Anselm of Canterbury was a Benedictine monk and philosopher, known as the father of scholasticism, whose works are impressive testaments to the historic and social significance of the Christian religion. In the "Proslogium", or "Discourse on the Existence of God" we find the origination of the ontological argument for the existence of God. Saint Anselm's rationalizations for Christian beliefs are continued in his "Monologium" or "Monologue" in which he argues that anyone of reasonable intelligence should be able to see proof for the existence of God in examining the various degrees of good and evil in the world. "Cur Deus Homo" or "Why God Became Man" discusses how Jesus Christ was sent to atone for God's dissatisfaction with mankind, defending God's honor and justice. Saint Anselm's ideas were not universally accepted, which is exhibited by the rebuttal of Benedictine monk Gaunilo, "In Behalf of the Fool", a work which is included along with Saint Anslem's response in this volume. Because Saint Anselm's rationalization for spirituality did not rely on empirical evidence but rather was based purely on intuitive reasoning his beliefs were truly a testament of his personal faith in God. Saint Anselm's writings, as well as the critique by Gaunilo, remain to this day as critical expositions on Christian theology. This collection of Saint Anselm's works is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Sidney Norton Deane.

Written in the 12th century in Arabic by a faithful Jewish man, "The Guide for the Perplexed" is a work that explores the contradiction a very intelligent mind clearly saw between the tradition in which he was raised to believe and the growing philosophy of Arabian and Western culture. In Maimonides' time, there was an emerging disparity between the Law and a new level of philosophical sophistication, which he attempts to bridge in this work, primarily through the use of metaphor, though also acknowledging this method's limitations. "The Guide for the Perplexed" follows the form of a three-volume letter to a student, which was quickly translated to Hebrew and spread throughout the known world and carefully read by Jews and non-Jewish philosophers alike well through the Middle Ages. This work was so successful in its organization and arguments that it has long been a classic of the Jewish religion and of the secular world of philosophy. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and is translated with an introduction and analysis by M. Friedlander.

"Discourses on Livy", which was first published posthumously in 1531, is Niccolo Machiavelli's analysis of the first ten books of Livy's monumental work of Roman History, which details the expansion of Rome through the end of the Third Samnite War in 293 BC. Machiavelli believed that by examining the exemplary greatness in Roman history, practical lessons could be applied to the politics of the present day. The Italian renaissance was causing people to look back to the ancients as examples of greatness in the fields of art, law, and medicine. Driven by a motivation to do the same for the field of politics, Machiavelli undertook an examination of the structure and benefit of government in ancient times. "Discourses on Livy" are comprised of three books. In the first book Machiavelli discusses the internal structure of a republic. In the second book he discusses matters of warfare and in the third his attention is turned to matters of individual leadership. An important work of political history and philosophy, "Discourses on Livy" is a must read for any student of political science. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of Ninian Hill Thomson.

American author, journalist, and social activist Jack London is best known for his stories set during the Klondike gold rush. During the late 19th century London traveled to the Klondike region of the Yukon in northwestern Canada to strike it rich. While he didn't find a great fortune in gold he came away with the experiences that would inspire some of his greatest writing. Set in the harsh wilderness of the Yukon territory, "The Call of the Wild" is a story embodied with a realism indicative of London's prospecting experience. The tale follows the struggle of Buck, the domesticated pet of Judge Miller and his family, who is snatched from a pampered lifestyle in California's Santa Clara Valley. When Buck is stolen by the gardener's assistant, Manuel, who sells him to finance his gambling addiction, he faces an arduous journey to the Yukon territory where he must adapt to the brutal reality of life as a sled dog. One of the finest examples of London's literary talent, "The Call of the Wild" exhibits why he would become one of the most popular writers of his day. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.