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El Dorado by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
If you've read and loved the exciting classic The Scarlet Pimpernel then you'd probably be delighted to follow the further adventures of the dashing Sir Percy Blakeney. El Dorado by Baronness “Emmuska” Orczy depicts the intrepid swordsman and escape artist in the role of savior of the French royal family. Published in 1913, El Dorado was the fourth in the Pimpernel series of eleven books, numerous short stories and other related writings about her famous British adventurer. However, Orczy did not always follow a strict chronological sequence while publishing the novels and hence, there is plenty of overlap between the time frames of the stories. El Dorado is famous for its being the basis on which most of the film and stage adaptations of The Scarlet Pimpernel have been based. The book opens in 1792, when the French Revolution is yet in its infancy. Sir Percy and Marguerite St Just (his estranged wife) are drawn into the politics of the day when her brother Armand persuades Sir Percy to travel to Paris to rescue the young Dauphin who's in mortal danger. Armand, a foolish and indiscreet young man, puts the mission in peril when he inadvertently reveals the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel and also becomes infatuated with a Parisian actress. The arch villain in all the Pimpernel novels, Citoyen Chauvelin, makes a sinister appearance in El Dorado too. He throws Sir Percy into prison and tries all means to get him to reveal the whereabouts of the young Dauphin. The rest of the novel follows the trials and tribulations of this most debonair hero who lives a double life as a dapper, nitwitted aristocrat who transforms himself into a reckless daredevil when required to. The Scarlet Pimpernel was originally written as a play which opened to lukewarm reviews when it was first staged in Nottingham in 1903. However, two years later, it hit the London stage with several revisions and became an instant hit. It was rewritten as a novel which was also received with great enthusiasm. For the next thirty-five years, Baroness Orczy continued to chronicle the feats of this lovable, swashbuckling adventurer. She gained international fame and also became extremely wealthy on the sales of the books. Studded with real life figures like the famous revolutionary, Robespierre, the radical journalist, Marat, the Parisian socialite, Theresa Carrabus and many more, Orczy's books are a superb blend of fact and fiction. Sir Percy Blakeney is notable for being perhaps the first “Secret Identity” hero, who inspired a host of others like Batman, Zorro, Superman and others. El Dorado will indeed make a great addition to your Scarlet Pimpernel collection.
Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadden
Robin Hood is a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes. The origin of the legend is claimed by some to have stemmed from actual outlaws, or from ballads or tales of outlaws.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Art of War is a 6th Century BC Chinese treatise on war and military strategy known for its timeless examples of strategy and planning. There is intense interest in this ancient work since it teaches how to be victorious in conflict and that the final victory ultimately is to see war as an effort to win minds and hearts rather than a mere acquisition of territory and wealth. The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a two thousand year old work, reputedly authored by a famous military general and strategist who lived in ancient China. Apart from this, he is also revered and respected in many South Asian countries as a learned philosopher. The book is divided into thirteen chapters and there is historical evidence to prove that it was written over a period of time and perhaps with many borrowings and collaborations with other similar works of the period. However, it was also heavily criticized by generations of scholars and thinkers in later centuries as it advocated deception and spying as accepted strategies in war. Many scholars have also doubted whether a figure such as Sun Tzu existed at all and have found several inaccuracies in terms of the timeframe in which the book was supposed to have been written. Many feel that the original work may have undergone several revisions over the centuries before being consolidated in its present form. Whatever the nature of these opinions The Art of War remains a fascinating, valuable and extremely interesting work. Each chapter explores a different aspect of war. Beginning with elaborate plans that should be put in place before the commencement of war, the book goes on to describe different situations in which wars are fought, the kind of strategies employed in various types of terrain, understanding the nature of the enemy and finally positioning, timing and methods of attack. For present day corporate warriors, The Art of War is an invaluable text. Business management, sports and politics are some of the fields where it has found immense application. Conflict resolution theory has been immeasurably enhanced with the addition of Sun Tzu's millennia-old tried and tested methods. It also provides valuable assistance in the grooming of leaders, understanding and appreciating the opponent and leveraging one's own advantages. The Art of War provides compelling reading for anyone who is interested in the dynamics of negotiation, competition, mediation, planning and arbitration.
Round the Moon: A Sequel to From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne
Part of the Voyages Extraordinaires series by French novelist Jules Verne, and also a sequel to his classic science fiction novel From the Earth to the Moon, Round the Moon presents the continuation of the gripping tale which ended with a cliffhanger and left readers to ponder over endless possibilities. Published in 1870, the novel presents an unprecedented journey into space, while focusing on space navigation, scientific calculations, unforeseen circumstances and dangerous encounters, which in turn mark the novel as prophetic of its time. The novel launches with the reappearance of the distinct trio and first space travelers, Barbicane, Nicholl and Ardan, who have been launched out of a projectile and begin their visionary mission of lunar exploration. Having blacked out after being fired out of a space gun, the three adventurers later regain consciousness, extremely lucky to have escaped serious injury. However, their luck and sense of achievement is short-lived after the journey takes a shaky turn of events as an asteroid just barely misses the projectile. Although they escape near collision, the event marks the beginning of the misfortunes fixated on the journey including the death of Ardan’s dog, deviation, and intoxication by gases. Nevertheless, the valiant group maintains a positive attitude as they proceed with their initial objective to unravel the mysteries of space. Abundant in descriptive language, imagery and fantasy, the novel proves to be a successful sequel while additionally providing a resolution to a gripping story. Verne’s Round the Moon only further strengthens his reputation as a visionary adventure novelist, as the novel proves to be a unique representation of space expedition and man’s curiosity about the unknown. Bearing in mind that the novel was written a century before the first lunar mission, the novel provides an interesting contrast between modern and past views concerning the topic of space travel, and demonstrates the extent of technological progression.
The Door Through Space by Marion Zimmer Bradley
At one time Race Cargill had been the best Terran Intelligence agent on the complex and mysterious planet of Wolf. He had repeatedly imperiled his life amongst the half-human and non-human creatures of the sullen world. And he had repeatedly accomplished the fantastic missions until his name was emblazoned with glory. But that had all seemingly ended. For six long years he’d sat behind a boring desk inside the fenced-in Terran Headquarters, cut off there ever since he and a rival had scarred and ripped each other in blood-feud. But when THE DOOR THROUGH SPACE swung suddenly open, the feud was on again—and with it a plot designed to check and destroy the Terran Empire. (Original book blurb)
Utopia by Sir Thomas More
He was a trusted aide of Henry VIII, but when he supposedly opposed the monarch's second marriage, he was thrown into prison and executed for treason. More than two hundred years later, he was canonized as the patron saint of statesmen and politicians by the Catholic Church. Philosopher, writer, diplomat, lawyer, Renaissance man, avid gardener, humanist thinker and statesman are only some of the words used to describe him. A lifelong opponent of Protestantism who was rumored to have had heretics imprisoned, murdered and burned at the stake, Thomas More is even today an enigmatic figure. Published in Latin in 1516, Utopia is Sir Thomas More's best known and most debated work. It begins as an apparently real account of one of More's diplomatic missions on behalf of his king. Some of the characters mentioned in this section are contemporary historical figures. In the course of his sojourn on board a ship to Antwerp, he meets a man called Raphael Hythloday who he assumes is the ship's captain. Hythloday, a much traveled raconteur is glad to share stories of his experiences in various exotic lands. He tells of his voyages with the famous Amerigo Vespucci and one of the strange countries he visited was the Island of Utopia. The book is divided into two parts. Sir Thomas describes in great detail the history, geography, demographics and politics of his fictional country. It is portrayed as the ideal state in all ways. A welfare state, it does not allow its citizens to own private property. Agriculture is the most highly respected job on the island and crime is almost nonexistent. Men and women do the same kind of work. They are trained in at least one trade. However, slavery does exist and is actively practiced in Utopia. Euthanasia is allowed and indeed welcomed by older people and priests are allowed to marry. Though divorce is permitted, premarital relationships are punished under the law. There is a community dining room where every citizen takes meals and travel within the island is permissible only by means of an internal passport. There are no lawyers in Utopia! Religions are many, but atheists are condemned. There are several such interesting aspects in the book. Such is Thomas More's vision of the ideal state. Scholars have attempted to understand his motive behind writing the treatise. Ideas such as euthanasia, noncelibate priesthood, divorce etc seem to have been diametrically opposite to the teachings of the Catholic Church in which he believed so strongly. Paradoxical also is his condemnation of the law and lawyers, since he was a brilliant one himself. In spite of these contradictions Utopia remains one of the most humane and interesting fantasies and a great addition to your repertoire.
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes fans who haven't yet read A Study in Scarlet would be delighted to discover this book in which the iconic detective makes his grand entrance into the world! From hence on, the deer stalker hat, his Stradivarius violin, the occasional descent into cocaine induced hell, the Persian slipper in which he stores his tobacco and of course, his meeting with the eternally loyal Dr. Watson and so many other details become common for generations of enthralled devotees. Strangely enough, Sherlock Holmes' first outing went almost unnoticed in the 1887 Christmas Annual edition of Beeton's Magazine. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was just 27 years old when he wrote the story after giving up a less than successful medical practice. He famously modeled the London sleuth on several people he knew, most notably, one of his medical school professors, Dr. Joseph Bell. Gradually, the story gained popularity and before long, Conan Doyle was commissioned to write a sequel The Sign of the Four. He soon began churning out a stream of short stories featuring Holmes for the Strand Magazine and his fame, fortune and popularity exceeded his wildest dreams. In the decades to follow, Sherlock Holmes came to represent the definitive detective. Scotland Yard and other investigative agencies soon adopted methods employed by the eccentric genius of 221B Baker Street. A Study in Scarlet is set in 1881. It begins with Dr. Watson, a wounded Afghan war veteran who is looking for shared lodgings in London. An old friend recommends that he try 221B Baker Street, which is presently occupied by an eccentric acquaintance, Sherlock Holmes. At their very first meeting, Holmes dazzles the company with his detective skills as he makes a casual remark about Watson's previous experiences. Watson moves in and discovers that Holmes is in fact a consulting detective. Watson accompanies Holmes on a crime scene visit and from here on, the plot takes a series of bizarre twists and turns, leading the reader through flashbacks, across various continents and different periods. We are transported to nineteenth century America, where the Mormons of Salt Lake City, Utah, play a decisive role and watch in amazement as Holmes cracks the puzzle. A Study in Scarlet has remained a firm favorite on radio, stage, television and spawned a host of comics and abridged versions. As the debut of the most famous fictional detective, A Study in Scarlet remains unparalleled and valuable read for any fan of the author's work.
The Master of the World by Jules Verne
Published in 1904, The Master of the World is the penultimate novel in the Voyages Extraordinaires series, by renowned French novelist and pioneer of science fiction, Jules Verne. The novel acts as a sequel to Verne’s novel Robur the Conqueror, and consequently brings back some of its most notable characters, including the brilliant, yet villainous inventor Robur. Set in the summer of 1903, the adventure kicks off when a string of enigmatic events have been reported in the western part of North Carolina, leaving residents in fear of a possible volcanic eruption, even though the Blue Ridge Mountains are known to be non-volcanic . This fear is instigated after residents had reportedly heard a deep rumbling sound and have seen smoke escaping the mountain. Consequently, government agent John Strock is assigned to the case, and duly travels to the site in order to investigate the strange occurrences and assist in the unraveling of the mystery that has left everyone baffled. The phenomena deepens with further sightings of an unidentified object that seems to defy all notions of speed, as the vehicle is seen travelling with an enormous speed that leaves no traces behind but a cloud of dust. Similarly, there is a sighting of a peculiar-looking speedboat moving at an impossible speed in the waters off New England. While on the search for answers, Strock accidentally stumbles upon Robur, the inventor and mastermind of the ingenious creation that is the cause of the widespread confusion. Captured by the somewhat deranged man, Strock joins him on board the strange craft, as Robur goes about his plan to become master of the world. Although some of the technological elements in the novel may appear quite mundane in comparison to modern technology, they nevertheless allow the audience to travel back in time and experience the groundbreaking technology of the early 20th century, and see for themselves just how far technology has advanced in such a considerably short period of time. Generous with his descriptive language, technological inventions, gadgetry, and precise geographical depiction of the United States, The Master of the World additionally fortifies Verne’s status as a highly imaginative and creative novelist in the adventure and science fiction genre.
Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym by Edgar Allan Poe
Published in 1838, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket is Poe’s only complete novel and concentrates on several sea adventures gone awry. The novel follows Arthur Gordon Pym, who finds himself in the center of gloomy occurrences on board numerous vessels, as his anticipated sea adventure takes a drastic shift in the wind. Shipwreck, starvation, mutiny, near death experiences and cannibalism are just some of the issues endured in the gripping, and at times gruesome novel. The adventure begins with the introduction of its narrator, the decorous young man, Arthur Gordon Pym from the island of Nantucket, who commences the marvelous tale by giving a descriptive account of his reputable family background and upbringing. His best friend Augustus Barnard and son of a sea captain, spurs Pym’s dangerous love for life at sea. Their first open water adventure is initiated one evening after an alcohol induced whim witnesses the pair set sail aboard Pym’s sailboat, the Ariel. Unfortunately, their trip is cut short due to a perilous storm, from which the two young men just barely escape, owing their lives to a passing whaling ship. Despite the frightening ordeal, Pym is only further thrilled by the idea of sailing, and it is this enthusiasm that incites his next sea adventure. Consequently, he follows Augustus as a stowaway on board a whaling vessel, the Grampus, which is bound on an expedition to the southern seas and is incidentally captained by Augustus’s father. However, the journey of Pym and Augustus is anything but monotonous, as they face unforeseen events that challenge both their physical and psychological endurance. Although containing some inconsistencies within the storyline, the novel still manages to enthrall with its strange sequence of events, as its characters must surge through countless predicaments including unfavorable weather, horrendous mutiny, and starvation. An eccentric piece of literature sure to mesmerize with its unique and grisly tale of frightening occurrences at sea, the novel stays true to the macabre style of its renowned author, Edgar Allan Poe. Moreover, the novel is regarded as an influential piece of writing, affecting the works of many future writers, including renowned authors Jules Verne and Herman Melville.