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  • The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • The Last Of The Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
  • A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
  • The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  • Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
  • Around the World in Seventy-Two Days by Nellie Bly
  • The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
  • An American Robinson Crusoe by Samuel B. Allison
  • Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • Hans Brinker by Mary Mapes Dodge
  • All of Grace by Charles H. Spurgeon
  • The Proposal by Anton Chekhov
  • The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
  • The First Men in the Moon by H. G. Wells
  • King Richard II by William Shakespeare
  • A Dog’s Tale by Mark Twain
  • Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, A History of the Lives by John Foxe
  • Short Nonfiction Collection by Various
  • The Sayings of Confucius by Confucius
  • Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
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    The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

    The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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    Since Sep 24, 2020 00:00 UTC

    One of the most delightful and enduring classics of children’s literature, The Secret Garden by Victorian author Frances Hodgson Burnett has remained a firm favorite with children the world over ever since it made its first appearance. Initially published as a serial story in 1910 in The American Magazine, it was brought out in novel form in 1911. The plot centers round Mary Lennox, a young English girl who returns to England from India, having suffered the immense trauma by losing both her parents in a cholera epidemic. However, her memories of her parents are not pleasant, as they were a selfish, neglectful and pleasure-seeking couple. Mary is given to the care of her uncle Archibald Craven, whom she has never met. She travels to his home, Misselthwaite Manor located in the gloomy Yorkshire, a vast change from the sunny and warm climate she was used to. When she arrives, she is a rude, stubborn and given to stormy temper tantrums. However, her nature undergoes a gradual transformation when she learns of the tragedies that have befallen her strict and disciplinarian uncle whom she earlier feared and despised. Once when he’s away from home, Mary discovers a charming walled garden which is always kept locked. The mystery deepens when she hears sounds of sobbing from somewhere within her uncle’s vast mansion. The kindly servants ignore her queries or pretend they haven’t heard, spiking Mary’s curiosity. The Secret Garden appeals to both young and old alike. It has wonderful elements of mystery, spirituality, charming characters and an authentic rendering of childhood emotions and experiences. Commonsense, truth and kindness, compassion and a belief in the essential goodness of human beings lie at the heart of this unforgettable story. It is the best known of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s works, though most of us have definitely heard of, if not read, her other novel Little Lord Fauntleroy. The book has been adapted extensively on stage, film and television and translated into all the world’s major languages. In 1991, a Japanese anime version was launched for television in Japan. It remains a popular and beloved story of a child’s journey into maturity, and a must-read for every child, parent, teacher and anyone who would enjoy this fascinating glimpse of childhood. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

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    The Last Of The Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

    The Last Of The Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

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    Since Nov 30, 2023 00:00 UTC

    The Last of the Mohicans is an epic novel by James Fenimore Cooper, first published in January 1826.It was one of the most popular English-language novels of its time, and helped establish Cooper as one of the first world-famous American writers.The story takes place in 1757 during the French and Indian War, when France and Great Britain battled for control of the American and Canadian colonies. During this war, the French often allied themselves with Native American tribes in order to gain an advantage over the British, with unpredictable and often tragic results.

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    A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter

    A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter

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    Since Dec 9, 2023 00:00 UTC

    Elnora Comstock is a sixteen year old girl who lives on the edge of the famous Limberlost swamp in Indiana. Her widowed mother is a cold and bitter woman who deprives Elnora of all that a young girl’s heart desires. The mother lives in a fog of depression caused by Elnora’s father’s tragic death on the night Elnora was born. She ekes out a living from a small poultry business, but refuses to exploit the resources of the forest land around her like the rest of their neighbors. Elnora is a brilliant student, but financial problems hinder her from continuing her education. She begins to catch moths from the swamp to sell to collectors and slowly resumes her studies. How Elnora and her mother come to understand each other and overcome their difficulties is told in the rest of this famous classic, A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter. First published in 1909, the book is one of the author’s best known works. Gene Stratton Porter was an American naturalist, wild-life photographer and author who was also credited with setting up the first movie studio and production company to be owned by a woman. Many of her novels became instant best-sellers and her books and newspaper columns reached an estimated fifty million readers at one time. Being a passionate nature conservationist, she used much of her income to support the eco-system of the Limberlost Swamp, which has now almost disappeared due to oil-rigs and construction activity in and around it. She and her husband built a large home near the swamp, but when their efforts to curtail the draining of the swamp and protect its wetlands failed, they moved to another location in Indiana. Both homes are now historic sites and museums managed by the government. A Girl of the Limberlost may seem contradictory in its message to today’s readers. Elnora who loves nature sees it only as a resource to be exploited whereas her mother, a presumably unfeeling person, refuses to cut down the trees for timber. However, there are many other social issues also discussed in the book such as peer pressure, ostracism, unhealthy grief, alcoholism, parental neglect and the dichotomy between social classes. Towards the end of the book, Elnora grows into a mature young lady and must face the travails of romance and disappointment before she can find her own Mr Right. Adapted several times for stage, screen and TV, A Girl of the Limberlost is a classic that would certainly be a great addition to your bookshelf.

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    The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

    The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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    Since Sep 29, 2023 00:00 UTC

    Set in 19th century Russia, The Brothers Karamazov (Russian: Братья Карамазовы) is the last novel written by the illustrious author Fyodor Dostoyevsky who died a few months before the book’s publication. The deeply philosophical and passionate novel tells the story of Fyodor Karamazov, an immoral debauch whose sole aim in life is the acquisition of wealth. Twice married, he has three sons whose welfare and upbringing, he cares nothing about. At the beginning of the story, Dimitri Karamazov, the eldest son who is now a twenty-eight year old war veteran, returns to his home town to claim the inheritance left to him by his dead mother. Fyodor is none too pleased to see him as he hates to part with money. The middle brother Ivan, a cold and unemotional man, is called in to settle the dispute but he fails. The youngest son, Alyosha, a gentle and learned soul is training to be a monk in a nearby monastery. He suggests that they consult the famous monastic elder Zosima who could work out a satisfactory solution. The plot winds through an amazing labyrinth of twists and turns, with the characters of the three brothers becoming more and more apparent to the readers. As different aspects of a human being, the three are completely different, yet bound by the irrevocable ties of common ancestry. The true hero of the story is the gentle Alyosha, whose spiritual journey and wonderfully humane qualities of kindness and compassion remain with the reader for ever. As one of the most compelling and fascinating explorations of the human heart, The Brothers Karamazov remains one of the world’s greatest literary creations. A novel of great length (it is divided into twelve volumes) and breadth, its sheer scale and scope captures the imagination of readers. The book has had an enduring influence on writers all over the world. It was admired and loved by renowned intellectuals like Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Sartre, Camus, James Joyce, Franz Kafka and a host of others. Pope Benedict XVI referred to it in his 2007 encyclical. It has been extensively adapted for stage, screen, TV and translated into many world languages. Dostoyevsky was one of literature’s greatest observers of the human mind. His writings were shaped by his own experiences of political activism, imprisonment, questioning of faith and finding spiritual enlightenment towards the end of his life. The novel is as relevant today as when it was published in 1880 and though it is deeply complex, it was also strangely prophetic as it foretold the events that would take place under the Soviet Regime.

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    Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

    Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

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    Since Sep 13, 2020 00:00 UTC

    Uncle Tom’s Cabin is one of the most controversial novels of the last century, with it’s sentimental portrayal of the anti-slavery movement in the USA. Written in 1852, the novel instantly rose to fame and split Americans up and down the country. Stowe was a passionate abolitionist and was inspired to write Uncle Tom when she spent time in Cincinnati in the early part of the 18th century. She met many slaves who had escaped from Kentucky and was touched by the friendships she built. It was with this sentiment that the novel was born and the deep empathy Stowe had for slaves is evident throughout. As you would expect, the book was hugely provocative with pro-slavery supporters outraged by the negative portrayal of masters within the slave trade. It was said to be so incendiary that Abraham Lincoln claimed Stowe to be “the little lady who started this great war”. It is not clear if that quote is genuine but the hype Stowe created both before and after the civil war is definitely real. The novel follows the story of long suffering slave Tom and mother and son duo Eliza and Harry. Whilst Tom is sold down the river by his master, Eliza and her son manage to escape the clutches of slavery. There is no doubt in the genuineness of Howe’s wish to uncover the slave trade for all of its sins. Pleasingly the book ends with an optimistic outlook, one that shook the government at the time and one sure to shake you. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

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    Around the World in Seventy-Two Days by Nellie Bly

    Around the World in Seventy-Two Days by Nellie Bly

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    Since Dec 16, 2023 00:00 UTC

    This is a true account by American woman journalist who, in 1889, set out to see whether she could beat the fictional journey in Jules Verne’s 1873 novel, Around the World in Eighty Days. Wearing one dress and carrying one handbag, Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman (pen name “Nellie Bly”), reported her travels back to avid readers in America.

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    The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

    The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

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    Since Nov 3, 2023 00:00 UTC

    The delightfully eccentric Doctor Dolittle, rendered immortal on screen by the gifted Rex Harrison, has remained a firm favorite with generations of children ever since he made his debut in an earlier novel, The Story of Doctor Dolittle. In his second outing titledThe Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, the maverick physician takes on a new assistant, Tommy Stubbins. The story is structured as a first person account given by Tommy, who is now a very old man. The boy who was the son of the village cobbler first meets Doctor Dolittle when he takes a hurt squirrel to the doctor for treatment. Tommy and the doctor quickly become friends, and the boy soon learns how to communicate with animals in their own languages. The remarkable talking parrot, Polynesia and other amazing creatures from the previous book also appear in this sequel. The mysterious disappearance of a friend of the doctor’s called Luke the Hermit sets off a train of strange events. And Tommy finds himself accompanying the good doctor on an exciting, hazardous voyage to find Long Arrow, a native American and the son of Golden Arrow, who is reputed to be the greatest living naturalist in the world. The kind hearted, quirky, animal rights activist Doctor Dolittle dominates the plot. His enduring humanitarian approach to the world around him, his desire for peaceful coexistence among all and his concern for the environment make him a memorable and endearing character. This as much an adventure story as a strong appeal for compassion towards the innumerable species that share our planet with us. There are shipwrecks, South American and Mediterranean locations, underwater explorations where they discover a giant sea snail and wonderful descriptions of land and sea. Critics of Hugo Lofting’s work point out that there are several passages which are now politically incorrect. However, readers would do well to remember that these books were written more than a hundred years ago, when attitudes to colonization and race were quite different. In the dozen or so books featuring Doctor Dolittle, the author Hugo Lofting ensures that a wide variety of themes, locations and ideas are explored. The books were originally illustrated by the author himself, as he was a talented artist and naturalist himself.

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    An American Robinson Crusoe by Samuel B. Allison

    An American Robinson Crusoe by Samuel B. Allison

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    Since Dec 24, 2023 00:00 UTC

    An American Robinson Crusoe is a short version of the original story. An indolent, rebellious teen goes on a marine voyage against his parents’ wishes. The ship (and all of its crew) is lost in a storm, but Robinson makes it to a deserted island. He has no tools, no weapons, but he lives for over 28 years on the island. He befriends many animals on the island and after over 20 years living solo, he is joined by a young “savage” who becomes his constant companion. The transformation from the young, lazy teen to a self-sustaining, incredibly knowledgeable adult is one of the major themes in the story.

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    Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

    Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

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    Since Dec 3, 2020 00:00 UTC

    Kidnapped is the story of a 16-year old young man who is searching for his true birthright and is determined to make a fortune after the death of his parents. This timeless tale by Robert Louis Stevenson follows the life of David Balfour who leaves his home in Scotland after the death of his parents. First he meets his uncle for the first time in his life. His uncle is a very mean person who, at first, tried to kill David by devious means but then got him kidnapped onto a slave ship. In the ship, David makes friends with a Scottish rebel and together they successfully defeat the ship’s crew. The rebel, Alan, cherishes a dream to overthrow the British rulers of Scotland. Soon after the shipwreck, the two escaped but were later charged for being accomplices in the murder of a British supporter by the name of Colin Campbell. Although the novel’s adventures get a kick-start by this kidnapping, it is true that the hero of the story spends very little time as a captive. The character of Alan is very important as without his friendship the story would have ended very quickly. David would have been forced into slavery or would have escaped and met a poor fate due to starvation and want of money. On the contrary, David enters into new adventures with Alan on the ship itself. But after being charged with the grave crime of murder, readers are forced to ask two pertinent questions – Will these two escape from the hands of the British soldiers? Will David ever confront his sly uncle and fight to get back his inheritance? This is a very exciting and adventure filled story and all readers, old or young, will like the way the novel slowly unfolds. The setting of the story is very beautiful and there are vivid descriptions of the woods, waterfalls and streams which they jump over. The story is set in 1751 and the author has successfully narrated the story keeping in mind the history of the time. If you love adventure stories then you simply cannot ignore this fast-moving adventure which promises to keep the reader engrossed from start-to-finish. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

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    Hans Brinker by Mary Mapes Dodge

    Hans Brinker by Mary Mapes Dodge

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    Since Nov 16, 2019 00:00 UTC

    Mary Mapes Dodge created an instant bestseller with “Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates.” She wanted the book to be partly a book of travels and partly a domestic story. It is a tale written for children that adults also find interesting and uplifting. Dodge writes as if she is sending a series of letters from Holland to children in America, and her you-are-there perspective is aided by a nice attention to detail and vivid imagery.The Brinkers are a poor but stoic family under a dark cloud – Raff, the man of the house, fell from the dikes while reinforcing them during a bad storm, and for ten years he has been in a vegetative state. With no steady income, the family’s lot is grinding poverty. Despite their unfortunate circumstances, Hans and Gretel are cheerful children, yet always attentive to the needs of their mother and their present-but-not-really-there father. Their social standing is very low, but they both attract firm friends, even among the gentry, for their honesty, industry, and good-heartedness.Then a glorious skating race is proposed for the town of Broek, with the prize a pair of silver skates for both the winning boy and girl. In the weeks leading up to the race, we follow the adventures of five of the local boys who are showing a visiting relative from England the sights of the Netherlands. Hans improbably meets the one man who might be able to heal his father, and somehow Hans finds a way to afford some skates so that he and Gretel can enter the race.This all leads up to a dramatic, moving, and entirely satisfactory conclusion. “Hans Brinker” hits a series of high notes and encourages children to cultivate and display their finer qualities. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

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    All of Grace by Charles H. Spurgeon

    All of Grace by Charles H. Spurgeon

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    Since Dec 23, 2023 00:00 UTC

    HE WHO SPOKE and wrote this message will be greatly disappointed if it does not lead many to the Lord Jesus. It is sent forth in childlike dependence upon the power of God the Holy Ghost, to use it in the conversion of millions, if so He pleases. No doubt many poor men and women will take up this little volume, and the Lord will visit them with grace. To answer this end, the very plainest language has been chosen, and many homely expressions have been used. But if those of wealth and rank should glance at this book, the Holy Ghost can impress them also; since that which can be understood by the unlettered is none the less attractive to the instructed. Oh that some might read it who will become great winners of souls!Who knows how many will find their way to peace by what they read here? A more important question to you, dear reader, is this – Will you be one of them? (From All of Grace)

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    The Proposal by Anton Chekhov

    The Proposal by Anton Chekhov

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    Since Jan 2, 2024 00:00 UTC

    The Proposal is a one act comic farce by Anton Chekhov. In Chekhov’s Russia, marriage was a means of economic stability for most people. They married to gain wealth and possessions. In this play, the concept of marriage is being satirized to show the real purpose of marriage – materialistic gain rather than true love.

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    The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

    The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

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    Since Dec 10, 2023 00:00 UTC

    The Red Badge of Courage is a fiction that tells the story of a soldier named Henry Fleming during the American Civil War. The novel gained widespread praise from critics and was also a commercial success shortly after its release and made Stephen Crane an instant celebrity at the young age of 24. In the novel, Henry was one of the enlisted soldiers in the 304th New York Regiment. He flees from battle in one of the skirmishes they had against the Confederates and to hide his cowardice, he attempted to inflict a wound to himself which is referred to as the “red badge of courage.” He got the wound that he wants to have when he joins a group of fellow soldiers retreating from the battlefield. One of them accidentally hit his head with a rifle butt and wounded him. When he came back to their camp, the other soldiers there quickly treated his wound believing that he got it during the battle. After this incident, he again went back to the battlefield and was able to prove that he was really a capable solider. Most critics praise this novel because of the very realistic way in which Crane was able to describe all the battle scenes in the story. He was born after the Civil War and had not even experienced a fight in any war. It’s very interesting to know that Crane was able to write a very realistic novel about the War just by reading other novels about it and listening to the stories told by war veterans in New York. Readers who are into historical war novels will definitely have a great time reading this book. Although it’s a work of fiction, its contents are very realistic and accurate. This is very important especially for a story with a historical setting. This book will definitely not disappoint anyone who’s looking to read a good novel about the Civil War.

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    The First Men in the Moon by H. G. Wells

    The First Men in the Moon by H. G. Wells

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    Since Dec 8, 2019 00:00 UTC

    Written nearly seven decades before Neil Armstrong’s historic “Giant leap for Mankind” this book by one of the most influential sci-fi writers in English is an interesting read. The First Men in the Moon by Herbert George Wells, the English author who is today called the Father of Science Fiction, describes a strange and fantastic voyage. Businessman and budding playwright, John Bedford takes a sabbatical from his work and decides to write a play. He moves to a lonely cottage in Kent where he hopes to come up with a theatrical masterpiece. However, strange events interrupt his progress. A mysterious stranger accosts him and insists on sharing a brilliant scientific discovery with Bedford. The man is a physicist named Cavor who has developed a novel new anti-gravity material that he has named Cavorite. With the aid of this material, he plans to explore space and wants to undertake an experimental journey to the moon. Bedford is excited by this and immediately sees the commercial value of Cavorite. Together the two launch into a moon voyage. However when they get there, they discover that the moon is not an uninhabited satellite as was hitherto assumed. What follows is classic sci-fi with a twist of romance. Scholars have dubbed The First Men in the Moon as the first alien dystopia, where the denizens of another world are hostile to humans. The book probably launched a whole new genre of sci-fi horror fiction and has had a huge influence on films, TV, stage, animation, video-games and comics. It has been adapted to film four times. A scandal erupted when Wells was accused of plagiarism by an Irish writer, but no evidence was found for the charges. Though modern-day readers may find some of the scientific concepts quaint and outdated, the plot and characters more than make up for any such shortcomings. A great read for young and old alike! More great books at LoyalBooks.com

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    King Richard II by William Shakespeare

    King Richard II by William Shakespeare

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    Since Dec 29, 2023 00:00 UTC

    The Tragedy of King Richard II, by William Shakespeare, is the first of the history series that continues with Parts 1 and 2 of King Henry IV and with The Life of King Henry V. At the beginning of the play, Richard II banishes his cousin Henry Bolingbroke from England. Bolingbroke later returns with an army and the support of some of the nobility, and he deposes Richard. Richard is separated from his beloved Queen, imprisoned, and later murdered. By the end of the play, Bolingbroke has been crowned King Henry IV. Audio edited by J. M. Smallheer and John Gonzalez. Characters:Narration, Keeper, and Lord – read by Annie ColemanKing Richard II and First Servant – read by Peter YearsleyNorthumberland and Gaunt – read by ChipBolingbroke – read by Kayvan SylvanAumerle – read by John GonzalezHenry Percy – read by Michael SiroisYork – read by Martin CliftonMowbray – read by Mark F. SmithSurrey and Willoughby – read by Nikolle DoolinSalisbury – read by David BarnesBushy and Carlisle – read by Cecelia PriorBagot, Abbot, Scroop, and Exton – read by LintonGreen – read by deadwhitemalesQueen Isabel – read by Joy ChanDuchess of York – read by Kristen McQuillinBerkeley – read by RainerRoss – read by Mr. Baby ManFitzwater and Groom – read by Sean McKinleyMarshal – read by Lenny Glionna Jr.Captain and First Herald – read by Hugh MacDuchess of Gloucester – read by GesineLady – read by Maureen S. O’BrienGardener, Second Herald, and Second Servant – read by Kara Shallenberg

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    A Dog’s Tale by Mark Twain

    A Dog’s Tale by Mark Twain

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    Since Nov 26, 2020 00:00 UTC

    A sentimental short story praised for its moving plot and condemnation of scientific experimentation on animals, Mark Twain efficiently delivers a truly captivating piece. First appearing in Harper’s Magazine in 1903, A Dog’s Tale was later published as a pamphlet for the National Anti-Vivisection Society. The tale focuses on the life of Aileen, a misunderstood dog who experiences the ups and downs of life, while cruelly subjected to suffering because of the shallow belief of her inferiority amidst humans. The story is told from the point of view of Aileen Mavourneen, a self-proclaimed Presbyterian, whose mother is a Collie, and father is a St. Bernard. The story begins with Aileen’s life as a puppy, living together with her mother until she is later taken in by a loving family. Life at her new home seems perfect, as she lives in a well adorned house, and has an open space where she is free to roam and play with other dogs. Subsequently, the household welcomes the arrival of the owner’s baby and Aileen’s puppy, which adds joy to the home. However, the idyllic days are brought to a halt when a terrible accident occurs, prompting Aileen to risk her own life to save her owner’s infant from harm’s way. Despite the heroic deed, Aileen is rewarded with the utmost brutality that changes her life forever. A compelling piece of literature, A Dog’s Tale efficiently depicts the dark and inconsiderate nature of humans, which is contrasted with the benign and loyal nature of dogs. Guaranteed to make one’s heart tingle, the short story evokes many powerful emotions throughout its short, yet overpowering pages. Twain successfully creates a piece that will captivate its audience, leaving them incapable of feeling indifferent to such a powerful message presented in the piece. Furthermore, Twain’s effectiveness to illustrate the inhumane and inconsiderate treatment of animals is heightened by allowing the audience to enter the mind of a dog and observe and feel life on the other side of the coin. Supplying a generous serving of humor, irony, love, cruelty, and heartfelt moments, A Dog’s Tale encourages humanity to take a step back and carefully reflect on their actions and reconsider the roles played by both humans and animals in society. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

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    Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, A History of the Lives by John Foxe

    Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, A History of the Lives by John Foxe

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    Since Dec 1, 2023 00:00 UTC

    The Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe, is an English Protestant account of the persecutions of Protestants, many of whom had died for their beliefs within the decade immediately preceding its first publication. It was first published by John Day, in 1563. Lavishly illustrated with many woodcuts, it was the largest publishing project undertaken in Britain up to that time. Commonly known as, “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs”, the work’s full title begins with “Actes and Monuments of these Latter and Perillous Days, Touching Matters of the Church.” There were many subsequent editions, by Day, and by other editors down through the years. Foxe’s original work was enormous (the second edition filling two heavy folio volumes with a total of 2,300 pages, estimated to be twice as long as Edward Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” This edition is much abridged from Foxe’s original. Proofed by Heart of Texas, coordinated and produced by Karen Merline.

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    Short Nonfiction Collection by Various

    Short Nonfiction Collection by Various

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    Since Dec 24, 2023 00:00 UTC

    A collection of ten short essays or other short nonfiction works in the public domain.

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    Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

    Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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    Since Dec 28, 2019 00:00 UTC

    One of the earliest polished examples of existential literature, Notes from the Underground follows the life of a recluse and depicts his antagonistic attitude toward society. Written in two parts with a first person narration, the novella explores various themes expressing the misleading notion of rationalism and utopianism, existentialism, alienation and human inaction. The psychological novel begins with a monologue in which the protagonist introduces and characterizes himself. Referred to as the Underground Man and remaining unidentified throughout, the protagonist portrays himself as a bitter and misanthropic individual living in isolation and distancing himself from fallacious society. He further reveals that he is a Russian civil veteran in his forties whose spite has intoxicated him and led him to his current position of solitude and self-loathing. The monologue allows the protagonist to convey his thoughts, ideas and philosophies on life. Consequently, he sets many philosophical ideas on the table including free will, reason and logic, suffering, and conscious inaction. After explaining and justifying his beliefs, the narrator begins to tell his audience of his experiences as a young man in his twenties, and accordingly signals the beginning of the second part of the book. This section is dedicated to the events that have driven the protagonist into seclusion and illustrates his destructive interaction with various people in the 1840’s, including an officer, old schoolmates, and a prostitute. All interactions seem to be spurred by revenge, humiliation, bitterness and pessimism, which essentially send him to his personal underground. A paradoxical character, simultaneously unique and universal, illogical and philosophical, pitied and honored, the Underground Man is both a reflection of suppressive society and self-punishment. An influential piece of literature sure to provoke psychological reaction, Notes from the Underground leaves many significant topics open for debate and analysis. The ideologies that the narrator views with much contempt are what make the novel such an enthralling read. Increasing its intensity with every turn of the page, the powerful novella remains an essential for anyone with a critical eye to the requisites of society. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

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