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Once upon a time, a poor woodman and his wife were so desperate for a child that they claimed they would be happy even with one no bigger than their thumb. This is what happened, and the boy they named Tom Thumb was smart and bright but would not grow any bigger no matter what or how much they fed him. Tom Thumb is a very little boy, who although he is just about the size of his father's thumb is very adventurous and his curiosity gets him into some difficult situations. With courage, wit and the help of some animal friends, Tom shows that though he may be a very small boy, he is a great hero.

Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and laws. Contents: Sun Tzu. The Art of War Lao Tzu. Tao Te Ching Plato. The Republic Aristotle. The Athenian Constitution Marcus Aurelius. Meditations Niccolo Machiavelli. The Prince Thomas More. Utopia Tommaso Campanella. The City of the Sun Francis Bacon. The New Atlantis Thomas Paine. Common Sense Richard Henry Lee. Lee Resolution Thomas Jefferson. Declaration of Independence James Madison. - Virginia Plan - Constitution of the United States - Bill of Rights - Northwest Ordinance George Washington. President George Washington's First Inaugural Speech Great Historical Documents of the United States: - Federal Judiciary Act - Marbury v. Madison - Articles of Confederation - Treaty of Alliance with France - Treaty of Paris John Stuart Mil. Utilitarianism Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto Vladimir Lenin: - The State and Revolution - The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism - Vladimir Lenin To the Citizens of Russia! - Vladimir Lenin To Workers, Soldiers, and Peasants! - Report on Peace - Report on Land - Decree on Abolishment of Capital Punishment - Decree on Transfer of Power to the Soviets - Decree on Establishment of the Workers' and Peasants' Government - Decree on Elections for the Constituent Assembly - Decree on Suppression of Hostile Newspapers - Decree on Transfer of Food Control to Municipalities - Decree on an Eight-Hour Working Day - Decree on the Right to Issue Laws - Resolution on the Right of Sovnarkom to Issue Decrees - Decree on Social Insurance - Declaration of the Rights of the People of Russia - Decree on Organization of Volost Land Committees - Decree on Transfer of Power and the Means of Production to the Toilers - Decree Proclaiming Advertising a State Monopoly - Decree Abolishing Classes and Civil Ranks - Decree on Workers' Control - Resolution on Relation of the Central Executive Committee to the Sovnarkom - Decree on the Right to Call for Re-Elections - Decree on Establishment of the Extraordinary Commission to Fight Counter-Revolution - V. I. Lenin Note To F. E. Dzerzhinsky with a Draft of A Decree On Fighting Counter-Revolutionaries And Saboteurs Rosa Luxemburg. Reform or Revolution Peter Kropotkin. The Conquest of Bread Emma Goldman. Anarchism: What It Really Stands For Leon Trotsky. Fascism: What It Is and How to Fight It

This audiobook includes 10 Great Russian Short Stories: The Mantle by Nikolai Gogol Mumu by Ivan Turgenev First love by Ivan Turgenev An Avenger by Anton Chekhov Darkness by Anton Chekhov The Death of Ivan Illyich by Leo Tolstoy Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky The Little Angel by Leonid Andreyev The Dream of a Ridiculous Man by Fyodor Dostoyevsky A Troublesome Visitor by Anton Chekhov

"The Beauties: Essential Stories" is a captivating collection that brings together some of the most remarkable and beloved works by the acclaimed Russian writer Anton Chekhov. This anthology showcases Chekhov's unparalleled talent for depicting the complexities of human nature, the intricacies of relationships, and the nuances of everyday life. Each story in this collection is a testament to Chekhov's unparalleled ability to capture the subtlest emotions and psychological depths of his characters. Whether portraying the despair of unrequited love, the quiet desperation of unfulfilled dreams, or the bittersweet joys of fleeting moments, Chekhov's prose resonates with authenticity and profound insight. With its richly descriptive language and astute observations of human behavior, "The Beauties" offers readers a chance to immerse themselves in Chekhov's world-a world that is at once familiar and yet filled with unexpected revelations. Through his stories, Chekhov invites us to contemplate the complexities of the human condition, the fleeting nature of happiness, and the universal yearning for connection and understanding. This collection is not only an ideal introduction to Chekhov's work for those new to his writings, but also a treasured addition to the libraries of avid Chekhov enthusiasts. "The Beauties: Essential Stories of Anton Chekhov" is a testament to the enduring power of his storytelling, cementing his status as one of the greatest literary voices of all time. THE BEAUTIES THE SCHOOLMISTRESS A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN MISERY CHAMPAGNE AFTER THE THEATRE A LADY'S STORY IN EXILE THE CATTLE-DEALERS SORROW ON OFFICIAL DUTY THE FIRST-CLASS PASSENGER A TRAGIC ACTOR A TRANSGRESSION SMALL FRY THE REQUIEM

Anton Chekhov belongs to the cohort of the most prominent Russian classics, together with Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Turgenev and Pushkin. The rankings of the most read authors, comprising the 'golden fund' of the world's literature, persistently include Chekhov alongside Charles Dickens, the Bronte Sisters, Mark Twain... Chekhov's plays, such as 'Three Sisters', 'The Cherry Orchard', and the short stories of this collection, are featured in the curriculum of faculties of philology of top global universities, such as University of Oxford, Harvard University and many more. This audiobook includes: A Lottery Ticket A Story Without An End About Love Difficult People The Doctor

The famous phrase of the writer: "Brevity is the sister of talent", could not be more suited to the work of Anton Chekhov himself. One right stroke to mark the character, with apt word to say about the main thing, to precisely place accents and draw a bright three-dimensional picture in just a few minutes is the work of the wizard. No one is as amused as Chekhov, and no one is so sad as he. The collection includes selected stories and stories in which the classic, who entered the history of literature under the frivolous pseudonym Antosha Chekhonte, draws eternal characters that invariably amaze with their psychological nude. This audiobook includes: A Pink Stocking A Country Cottage A Daughter of Albion An Inquiry At A Summer Villa Fat and Thin Nerves Too Early A Lottery Ticket A Story Without An End About Love Difficult People The Doctor.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860-1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer, who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short fiction in history. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics. Along with Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, Chekhov is often referred to as one of the three seminal figures in the birth of early modernism in the theatre.Chekhov practiced as a medical doctor throughout most of his literary career: "Medicine is my lawful wife", he once said, "and literature is my mistress." The following works were included in the collection of stories Chekhov Anton: The Lady with the Dog, The Wife, A Slander, The Horse-Stealers, The Petchenyeg, A Dead Body, A Happy Ending, The Looking-Glass, Old Age, Darkness, The Beggar, In Trouble, Frost, Minds in Ferment, Gone Astray, An Avenger, The Jeune Premier, A Defenceless Creature, An Enigmatic Nature, A Happy Man, A Troublesome Visitor, An Actor's End.

"Gusev" is an 1890 short story by Anton Chekhov. Several discharged soldiers return home from the Far East by ship. Confined to the hospital cabin, they are all apparently dying of consumption and seemingly indifferent to their condition. Among them are Gusev, a mild, racist, slightly dim man, and the mysterious Pavel Ivanovich, an ardent "protester" who often goes on diatribes (many of which Gusev either misunderstands or ignores) about his lifelong commitment to telling people "the truth to their faces". Ivanovich is proud of having riled every single person around him during his three years' service in the East, and thinks all the other men present are fools. He later reveals that he is the son of a priest and had to disguise himself as a peasant to buy his third-class ticket. One day, while Gusev is asleep, Pavel Ivanovich dies. One of the other soldiers, seeing that Gusev will also die shortly, helps him up to the ship's deck, where they look at the waves crashing into one another. Several days later, Gusev dies. His body is sewn into a sailcloth sack and weighted. After a short prayer, it is thrown into the ocean, where a shark bites at it. Up above, the ocean begins to reflect the colors of the sky, "...tender, joyous, passionate colours for which it is hard to find a name in human speech".

Natalya was once a happy and radiant young woman. Now an older woman, she reflects about her youth. In particular, she thinks about the heavy emphasis she put on her wealth and the relationships and experiences that it cost her. One man, Pyotr, loved her, but they both let their different statuses in society prevent their love from having a chance. After years of unhappiness and regret, Pyotr comes to visit Natalya.

The lottery ticket by Anton Chekhov is a short story. As title suggests it revolves around probability of winning lottery. Ivan and his wife are from middle class background. However, at first skeptical Ivan soon finds hope when he sees probability of his wife, Misha has a chance of winning lottery, The moral of the story is that material possessions and wealth do not bring true happiness, and that greed can lead to bitterness and broken relationships. Instead, the story suggests that people should focus on the love and companionship they have in their lives, rather than obsessing over money and possessions.

The story takes place in the village of Shalmovo, where two peasant sportsmen, Filimon Slyunka and Ignat Ryabov, are sitting in a pothouse turned restaurant. Slyunka is an old man who used to be a house-serf and now lives off his old wife's alms. Ryabov is a silent, sturdy peasant. Slyunka and Ryabov are trying to convince the innkeeper, Semyon Mitritch, to give them a gun that they had left as collateral. Semyon refuses, citing the Lenten season and the lack of game. Despite their pleas and promises to return the gun, Semyon remains firm in his decision. Slyunka and Ryabov leave the tavern and decide to go stand-shooting in the forest, hoping to find snipe. They walk to the forest, but find no snipe and decide to wait another five days before trying again. The story ends with the sportsmen walking home in silence. Overall, the story portrays a slice of rural life and explores themes of poverty, longing, and the connection between humans and nature.

Nerves is a story by Anton Chekhovs, first published: 1895. Three friends, Mayer (a medical student), Rybnikov (a student of the arts), and Vassilyev (a law student), decide to go out one night to get some girls. Mayer and Rybnikov had to spend some time convincing Vassilyev to come along, as he was far more fastidious and cautious than his friends. Vassilyev himself is envious of his friends, who live their lives in a much more carefree fashion. The three friends visit several different houses containing the girls, but Vassilyev finds himself more eager to talk to the girls and treat them to fancy drinks than to pay his money to get something more. He tries to understand the lives the fallen women are living, but he grows more and more disgusted with them...

AT A SUMMER VILLA (1886) Pavel Ivanitch has been happily married for eight years when he receives an anonymous love-letter fixing a tryst in a secluded spot that evening. Scornful at first at the very thought, then perplexed and then intrigued, he finally decides to see what it is all about, and gets an unexpected surprise, and a good lesson to boot.

"An Inquiry" (1883) is a story about a country gentleman, who arrives in a city to obtain an inquiry on a case a party of which he is. However, he faces an almost insuperable obstacle on the way to get what he has come for in the form of an officer, whose job functions are to solve these queries actually.

Albion's Daughter is a story by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. Written in 1883, first published in 1883 in the magazine "Oskolki" No. 33 for August 13, signed by A. Chekhonte. 'A Daughter of Albion' is a short story hitting out at the free-spirited and broad-minded British of the nineteenth century. The word 'Albion' indicates someone belonging to Great Britain or England. In this story penned by Anton Chekhov, one of the greatest short story writers of the nineteenth century, a British governess is ridiculed by her cynical employer, who is infatuated with her. Her married employer is in a sexual relationship with her despite having a wife and children. He loves spending time with this free-spirited and haughty governess who looks down upon the Russian's backwardness. Because of her, he has taken to fishing all day without caring for his job, family, or friends. Chekhov uses subtle and brazen sexual innuendos to bring out the feelings Gryabov, the landowner, has for Fyce, the British governess.

Anton Chekhov's story "A Country Cottage" is about a young couple, Sasha the husband and Vanya his wife, enjoying their night alone together. The couple walks together, taking in the sights around them, which they find picturesque and charming. First publication of the work: June 15, 1885.

"The Pink Stocking" by Anton Chekhov is a short story that unfolds on a dreary, rainy day with Pavel Petrovitch Somov, feeling bored and restless, pacing in his study. His wife, Madame Somov, is described as a pretty little lady wearing a light blouse and pink stockings, busily writing a letter to her sister Varya. Curious and looking for a distraction, Somov asks to read the letter and, while initially disinterested, he becomes increasingly concerned and confused as he progresses through the pages. Upon finishing the letter, he reacts with shock and disbelief, flinging the sheets on the table and uttering that the content is "beyond anything" and "positively incredible." The story hints at a marital dynamic filled with secrets and perhaps suggests that Madame Somov has written something unexpected or alarming, leaving both the character and the reader with a sense of perplexity and intrigue.

"The Big Book of Christmas: Classic Stories and Poems" is a grand compilation that assembles a treasure trove of holiday tales and poems from a remarkable array of authors. This extensive collection includes 100 classic works, each thoughtfully illustrated, to immerse readers in the magic and wonder of the Christmas season. This anthology spans a rich tapestry of Christmas literature, including timeless favorites such as "The Gift of the Magi," "The Red Room," "A Letter from Santa Claus," "The Fir Tree," "Song of the Holly," and many more. These stories and poems capture the spirit of Christmas through diverse voices, styles, and settings, offering readers a diverse and enriching experience. Contents: Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol The Chimes G.K. Chesterton A Christmas Carol L.M. Montgomery The Red Room A Christmas Mistake A Christmas Inspiration The Josephs' Christmas Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket The Osbornes' Christmas Bertie's New Year Ida's New Year Cake The Christmas Surprise at Enderly Road Clorinda's Gifts The Falsoms' Christmas Dinner The Unforgotten One Christmas at Red Butte Uncle Richard's New Year's Dinner L. Frank Baum A Kidnapped Santa Claus Little Bun Rabbit The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus Mark Twain A Letter from Santa Claus Louisa May Alcott A Country Christmas Cousin Tribulation's Story What the Bell Saw and Said Tilly's Christmas Tessa's Surprises Kate's Choice The Boys' Joke, And Who Got The Best Of It The Quiet Little Woman Rosa's Tale A Christmas Dream and How It Came True A Christmas Turkey, And How It Came A Merry Christmas Leo Tolstoy A Russian Christmas Party Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Christmas Bells The Three Kings Nikolai Gogol Christmas Eve William Dean Howells Christmas Everyday The Pony Engine and the Pacific Express Joseph Rudyard Kipling Christmas in India Elizabeth Harrison Little Gretchen and the Wooden Shoe John Milton On the Morning of Christ's Nativity Hans Christian Andersen The Fir Tree The Little Match Girl Selma Lagerlof A Christmas Guest The Holy Night The Legend of the Christmas Rose Clement Moore The Night Before Christmas Henry van Dyke The Other Wise Man Beatrix Potter The Tailor of Gloucester Anton Chehov Vanka O. Henry The Gift of the Magi Christmas by Injunction Whistling Dick's Christmas Stocking A Chaparral Christmas Gift An Unfinished Christmas Story Hesba Stretton The Christmas Child Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows Robert Louis Stevenson Christmas at Sea Markheim Winter Time Walter Scott Christmas In The Olden Time Alfred Tennyson Ring out, wild bells Thomas Hardy The Oxen William Butler Yeats The Magi William Makepeace Thackeray The Mahogany Tree Charles Kingsley Christmas Day Eugene Field Jest 'Fore Christmas Emily Dickinson The Savior must have been a docile Gentleman Willa Cather The Burglar's Christmas Arthur Conan Doyle The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle Fyodor Dostoyevsky A Christmas Tree and a Wedding Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The Christmas-Box Washington Irving Christmas The Stage-Coach Christmas Eve Christmas Day The Christmas Dinner George MacDonald Christmas Day and Everyday The Christmas Child Christmas Meditation A Christmas Prayer A Christmas Carol My Uncle Peter Mary's Lullaby Christmas-Day The Gifts of the Child Christ That Holy Thing Christmas Christmas Song of the Old Children King Cole A Song for Christmas James Joyce The Dead Saki Bertie's Christmas Eve William Shakespeare Song of the Holly The Gracious Time Harriet Beecher Stowe Christmas; or, The Good Fairy The First Christmas of New England Betty's Bright Idea Christmas in Poganuc Oscar Wilde The Selfish Giant

White Fang is a novel by American author Jack London - and the name of the book's eponymous character, a wild wolfdog. First serialized in Outing magazine, it was published in 1906. The story details White Fang's journey to domestication in Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush. It is a companion novel (and a thematic mirror) to London's best-known work, The Call of the Wild, which is about a kidnapped, domesticated dog embracing his wild ancestry to survive and thrive in the wild. Much of White Fang is written from the viewpoint of the titular canine character, enabling London to explore how animals view their world and how they view humans. White Fang examines the violent world of wild animals and the equally violent world of humans. The book also explores complex themes including morality and redemption. The story begins before the wolf-dog hybrid is born, with two men and their sled dog team on a journey to deliver the coffin of Lord Alfred to a remote town named Fort McGurry in the higher area of the Yukon Territory. The men, Bill and Henry, are stalked by a large pack of starving wolves over the course of several days. Finally, after all of their dogs and Bill have been eaten, four more teams find Henry trying to escape from the wolves; the wolf pack scatters when they hear the large group of people coming...

"Fat and Thin" is a satirical short story by Anton Chekhov, first published in the No. 40, 1 October 1883 issue of Oskolki magazine, signed A. Chekhonte (?. ???????). The plot of the short story "Fat and Thin" in its original version was based on an anecdote, and the conflict between the characters arose accidentally, due to the involuntary oversight of the "Thin". At a railway station the fat one, Mischa, accidentally meets the thin one, Porfiri. The thin man travels accompanied by his wife and son. The two old school friends greet each other in an exuberant and informal manner. A conversation follows, and it is about careers of both of them as government officials.

"The Darling" is a short story by Russian author Anton Chekhov, first published in the No.1, 1899, issue of Semya (Family) magazine, on January 3, in Moscow. Later, Chekhov included it into Volume 9 of his Collected Works, published by Adolf Marks. The story follows the life of a woman who is referred to by others as "darling" for her generosity and submissive nature.

The God of His Fathers: Tales of The Klondyke, It was written by Jack London in the 1919 year. As a young man in the summer of 1897, Jack London joined the Klondike gold rush. From that seminal experience emerged these gripping, inimitable wilderness tales, which have endured as some of London's best and most defining work. With remarkable insight and unflinching realism, London describes the punishing adversity that awaited men in the brutal, frozen expanses of the Yukon, and the extreme tactics these adventurers and travelers adopted to survive. This is more literary, a deeper examination of the human condition, and a homage to the beauty, purity and ease with which one can lose one's life to nature, the elements or other fellow travelers.

Jack London was an outstanding American writer, publicist and public figure, the author of numerous adventure stories and tales. Jack London is famous for his short stories and novels, but he also enthusiastically studied poetry and even made an attempt to establish a reputation for himself as a poet.

An Odyssey of the North is a short storiy by Jack London that explore the wild and rugged nature of the northern coast of British Columbia. This storiy is filled with adventure and capture the beauty of nature and the mysteries of the sea. Naass, a young Aleut man, wins a young woman of the tribe, Unga, only to have her stolen from him on the night of their marriage celebration by a seven-foot-tall, yellow-haired white man, Axel Gunderson. Naass spends years tracking his nemesis, determined to claim his bride and take vengeance...

Stephen Crane's "The Red Badge of Courage" is a powerful exploration of the psychological and emotional toll of war. Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, the novel follows the journey of Henry Fleming, a young and inexperienced soldier eager to prove his courage on the battlefield. Faced with the harsh realities of war, Henry grapples with fear, doubt, and the complexities of heroism. As Henry confronts the chaos and brutality of battle, he undergoes a profound internal struggle, questioning his own motives and struggling to reconcile his romanticized notions of warfare with the harsh truths he encounters. The narrative skillfully delves into the intricacies of human nature and the transformative impact of war on an individual. Crane's vivid and evocative prose captures the raw intensity of combat, immersing readers in the gritty details of soldier life. "The Red Badge of Courage" is a timeless examination of the human condition, offering a poignant reflection on courage, identity, and the cost of glory. This classic work continues to resonate with readers, providing a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of war and the indomitable spirit of the individual.

A Vita Nuova (pronounced [la ?vi?ta ?nwo?va]; Italian for "The New Life")  is a text by Dante Alighieri published in 1294. It is an expression of the medieval genre of courtly love in a prosimetrum style, a combination of both prose and verse.

"What is our good? Selected thoughts of the Roman philosopher" is a collection of works written by the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus. It included "Aphorisms" and the treatise "What is our good?" These are the reflections of a well-known, ultimately leading preacher of Stoicism from the classical Greek school about the meaning of life and nature, about morality, happiness and personal freedom. Actually, Epictetus' reflections are the foundations of the philosophical direction of self-improvement and self-development. Epictetus believed that a person should divide all things and circumstances into dependent and independent. In the first case, it is courageous to fulfill one's duty, and to ignore the rest. He was highly valued and referred to by another famous philosopher, the emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus in his now cult "Reflections". Epictetus is the nickname of a slave, translated from the Greek language as Purchased. The real name of the philosopher is unknown. Epictetus was a slave of one of the favorites of the Roman emperor Nero. Later released. He left behind no written works, his philosophical speeches were preserved thanks to the records of his student Flavius Arrian. Translated into Ukrainian by Olena Golota.

"The Beggar Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree" is a Christmas-time short story written by Fyodor Dostoevsky in 1876. It was first published in A Writer's Diary, January 1876. This story is also known as "The Heavenly Christmas Tree". The author begins by telling us he has made this story up, but that even so, he thinks it must have actually happened-on Christmas Eve, in a great town, at a time of terrible frost. The boy of the title, "six years old or younger," awakens in a frigid cellar, reaches for his mother, and finds she is "as cold as the wall." He makes his way outside. Apparently he has just arrived from a remote village; this is the first time he has ever experienced the bustling streets of a vibrant city-especially festive, as this is Christmas Eve. He stops to view a lovely party, with children dancing. He notices how lovely a young girl looks. Then he moves on to witness another grand party, with even more children, and with many people going in. He boldly walks in himself, but the people inside "shouted at him and waved him back". A woman puts a kopek in his hand and hustles him out the door; his fingers are too cold to hold on to the coin, and he immediately drops it. Next he stops to watch some astonishing puppets behind yet another window. The show delights him; but after a few moments an older child comes up from behind, hits him on the head, trips him, and steals his hat. The boy gets up and runs into someone's courtyard and sits next to a wood stack. Suddenly, he feels warm and comfortable. He hears his mother singing, and a "small voice" invites him to come see a Christmas tree. And then he is at a great party indeed-and his mother is there, and other children who suffered similar fates, and their mothers too. He learns that this is "Christ's Christmas tree." The children run up to their weeping mothers and tell them not to cry, because everything is all right. The next morning, the frozen bodies of both the child and his mother are found, and they are said to have met before the Lord God in Heaven. The author returns and says he felt it was important to tell this story because he is convinced it must have really happened. But then he clarifies himself, and explains that he is only sure about the first part-and that he has no idea whether the incident about Christ's tree might be true or not.

"Theatrical Novel" is an unfinished novel by Mikhail Bulgakov. Written in the first person, on behalf of a certain writer Sergei Leontievich Maksudov, the novel tells about the theater behind the scenes and the world of writers. The impetus for the creation of this novel was Bulgakov's conflict with the chief director of the Moscow Art Theater K.S. Stanislavsky regarding the production of the play "The Cabal of the Holy One." Therefore, "Theatrical Romance" contains caricatures of both Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko, as well as many other employees of the Moscow Art Theater. The work recreates many dramatic and comic moments of rehearsals in the theater.

'Out from the Heart' is a book by James Allen, first published in 1904, and which is a sequel to 'As a Man Thinketh'. James Allen - devoted himself to helping others find inner peace and enlightenment. His prescriptions were often as practical as they were spiritual, empowering the individual by emphasizing personal responsibility. 'Out From the Heart' continues that tradition, with essays on The Nature and Power of Mind, Formation of Habit, and Doing and Knowing, among others. Before starting down the path of truth and virtue, Allen cautions, see yourself as you are. Great discipline and patience will be required, but the result will be "the Life Beautiful." British author and pop philosopher JAMES ALLEN (1864-1912) retired from the business world to pursue a life of writing and contemplation. He authored many books about the power of thought including: The Way of Peace, The Mastery of Destiny, and Entering the Kingdom.

"The Reluctant Dragon" is an 1898 children's story by Kenneth Grahame, originally published as a chapter in his book Dream Days. It is Grahame's most famous short story, arguably better known than Dream Days itself or the related 1895 collection The Golden Age. It can be seen as a prototype to most modern stories in which the dragon is a sympathetic character rather than a threat The story takes place in the Berkshire Downs in Oxfordshire (where the author lived and where, according to legend, St. George did fight a dragon). In Grahame's story, a young boy discovers an erudite, poetry-loving dragon living in the Downs above his home. The two become friends, but soon afterwards the dragon is discovered by the townsfolk, who send for St George to rid them of him. The boy introduces St George to the dragon, and the two decide that it would be better for them not to fight. Eventually, they decide to stage a fake joust between the two combatants. As the two have planned, St George harmlessly spears the dragon through a shallow fold of skin suggested by the dragon, and the townsfolk rejoice (though not all of them, as some had placed bets on the dragon winning). St George then proclaims that the dragon has been reformed, assuring the townsfolk he's not dangerous, and the dragon is accepted by the people.

Here is a delightful look at childhood, written by master poet and storyteller Robert Louis Stevenson. In this collectionA Child's Garden of Verses of 64 poems, Stevenson recalls the joys of his childhood, from sailing boats down a river, to waiting for the lamplighter, to sailing off to foreign lands in his imagination. Nothing has ever been written that appeals to a child's nature more than "A Child's Garden of Verses." It is written in a simple verse that a child can readily understand.

"The Little Tragedies" by Alexander Pushkin is a collection of short dramatic plays written by the poet in 1830-1832 in Boldino. It consists of four works: "The Miserly Knight", "Mozart and Salieri", "The Stone Guest" and "A Feast in Time of Plague". Anna Akhmatova wrote that "perhaps in none of the works of world poetry are the formidable questions of morality posed as sharply as in Pushkin's Little Tragedies." These works are characterized by a small volume, but contain deep ideas, masterful language and unique poetics. These tragedies of Pushkin are united by the theme of human destiny, internal conflicts and eternal moral dilemmas. Pushkin is the author of such works as "Ruslan and Lyudmila", "Eugene Onegin", "The Queen of Spades", "The Captain's Daughter", "The Mermaid", "The Little House in Kolomna", "The Prisoner of the Caucasus", "Poltava". During his lifetime, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin earned himself a reputation as the greatest poet of Russia, whose work influenced the development of both Russian and world literature. The greatest merit of the brilliant poet is also that he became the creator of the modern Russian literary language

The "Bushido Code" (also translated as "The Way of the Samurai" or "The Art of the Samurai"), or in Japanese - "Hagakure" ("Hidden in the Leaf"), was written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659 - 1719). He was a samurai from the Saga clan on the island of Kyushu. After the death of his master Nabeshima Naoshige, Yamamoto became a monk and devoted his entire life to generalizing the principles of the Way of the Samurai, as well as popularizing the principles of honor and loyalty to his master. Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings ranks first in many swordsmanship bibliographies and is a unique strategy textbook in that its principles apply to both single combat and army combat. Mousasi claims that this is "a manual for those who want to study strategy", the meaning of which the reader may not grasp immediately. How well a person learns them for himself depends on how carefully a person studies the principles given in the book. Translated into Ukrainian by Yaroslav Myshanych.

"Dead Souls" is a work by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, the genre of which the author himself designated as a poem. It was originally conceived as a three-volume work. The first volume was published in 1842. The almost finished second volume was lost, but several chapters survived in drafts. The third volume was conceived and not started, only some information about it remained. The plot of the poem was suggested to Gogol by Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, presumably in September 1831. Information about this goes back to the "Author's Confession", written in 1847 and published posthumously in 1855, and is confirmed by reliable, although indirect, evidence. The book tells about the adventures of Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, the main character of the poem, a former college adviser posing as a landowner. Chichikov arrives in an unnamed town, a certain provincial "city N", and immediately tries to gain the trust of all any important inhabitants of the city, which he successfully succeeds in doing. The hero becomes an extremely welcome guest at balls and dinners. The townspeople of the unnamed city have no idea about Chichikov's true goals. And its purpose is to buy up or acquire free of charge dead peasants who, according to the census, were still listed as living by local landowners, and then register them in their name as living. The character, past life of Chichikov and his future intentions regarding "dead souls" are described in the last, eleventh chapter. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is the author of the greatest works of Russian literature: the stories "Dead Souls", "The Overcoat", "Taras Bulba", "Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka", "The Nose", "Viy", "Notes of a Madman", "Stroller", " Portrait", "Nevsky Prospekt", the comedy "The Government Inspector", "Marriage" and the collection of stories "Mirgorod". Gogol's life and work are filled with mystery and mysticism, thanks to which he was, is and will be the most mysterious writer, a brilliant satirist and an unrivaled playwright.

"History of Peter I" is an unfinished historical work of the brilliant Russian poet, "the sun of Russian poetry," playwright and prose writer A. S. Pushkin (1799-1837). It presents a chronology of events during the reign of Peter the Great. Pushkin planned to write "History of Peter I" on its basis in a maximum of a year. At the same time he worked on "The History of Pugachev" and "The Captain's Daughter". The work was interrupted by a duel...Nicholas I forbade printing the manuscript. The reason is that the author, with great courage for that time, allowed himself to talk not only about the positive, but also the negative qualities of the emperor. "History of Peter I" entered literature as a bold work and became a new word in development of "art history". Pushkin wrote many wonderful works: "The Queen of Spades", "Ruslan and Lyudmila", "Eugene Onegin", "The Gypsies", "The Mermaid", "The Little House in Kolomna", "The Prisoner of the Caucasus", "Poltava", "The Bronze Horseman", "The Story of Pugachev". Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, during his lifetime, earned himself a reputation as the greatest poet Russia, whose work influenced the development of both Russian and world literature. The greatest merit of the brilliant poet is also that he became the creator of modern Russian literary language

"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock", commonly known as "Prufrock", is the first professionally published poem by American-born British poet T. S. Eliot (1888-1965). Eliot began writing "Prufrock" in February 1910, and it was first published in the June 1915 issue of Poetry. Eliot narrates the experience of Prufrock using the stream of consciousness technique developed by his fellow Modernist writers. The poem, described as a "drama of literary anguish", is a dramatic interior monologue of an urban man, stricken with feelings of isolation and an incapability for decisive action that is said "to epitomize frustration and impotence of the modern individual" and "represent thwarted desires and modern disillusionment". Prufrock laments his physical and intellectual inertia, the lost opportunities in his life and lack of spiritual progress, and he is haunted by reminders of unattained carnal love. With visceral feelings of weariness, regret, embarrassment, longing, emasculation, sexual frustration, a sense of decay, and an awareness of mortality, "Prufrock" has become one of the most recognised voices in modern literature.

"The ones who are able to see the high meaning of beauty are cultural people. However, the chosen one is the one who sees only one thing in beauty: the Beauty itself" said one of the most famous English poets, writers, playwrights, a bright and inimitable Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). Oscar Wilde is the author of not only the world famous novel "Portrait of Dorian Gray", but also of beautiful fairy tales combining the rich imagination of the writer and the ironic style of narration. Every detail has a symbolic meaning and beauty, along with the good, acts as an inseparable whole. Tales give the most complete picture of Wilde's vivid multifaceted talent; these works are graceful, ghostly poetic "symbolist" tales. They sing the beauty of good deeds, sympathy for the offended and humanity. "Canterville Ghost" - a story by Oscar Wilde - A fantastic story that human kindness and participation can remove even the most terrible curses. Wilde is also famous for such works as "The Happy Prince", "Nightingale and the Rose", "The Selfish Giant", "The Devoted Friend" and "The Remarkable Rocket". Selected works of Oscar Wilde "The Best of Oscar Wild" is the book that everyone should read to understand themselves and each other. Contents: The Picture of Dorian Gray The Canterville Ghost The Happy Prince The Nightingale and the Rose The Selfish Giant The Devoted Friend The Remarkable Rocket

"Blue beard"  is a French folktale, the most famous surviving version of which was written by Charles Perrault and first published by Barbin in Paris in 1697. The tale tells the story of a wealthy man in the habit of murdering his wives and the attempts of the present one to avoid the fate of her predecessors. 

In Plato's Ion Socrates discusses with the titular character, a professional rhapsode who also lectures on Homer, the question of whether the rhapsode, a performer of poetry, gives his performance on account of his skill and knowledge or by virtue of divine possession. It is one of the shortest of Plato's dialogues.

The Menexenus is a Socratic dialogue of Plato, traditionally included in the seventh tetralogy along with the Greater and Lesser Hippias and the Ion. The speakers are Socrates and Menexenus, who is not to be confused with Socrates' son Menexenus. The Menexenus of Plato's dialogue appears also in the Lysis, where he is identified as the "son of Demophon", as well as the Phaedo. The Menexenus consists mainly of a lengthy funeral oration, referencing the one given by Pericles in Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War. Socrates here delivers to Menexenus a speech that he claims to have learned from Aspasia, a consort of Pericles and prominent female Athenian intellectual. Menexenus is unique among the Platonic dialogues in that the actual 'dialogue' serves primarily as exposition for the oration. For this reason, perhaps, the Menexenus has come under some suspicion of illegitimacy, although Aristotle's invocation of the text on multiple occasions seems to reinforce its authenticity. Much of the interest in the Menexenus stems from the fact that it is one of the few extant sources on the practice of Athenian funeral oratory, even though it parodies the medium.

The Master Key System is a personal development book by Charles F. Haanel. The book describes many New Thought beliefs such as the law of attraction, creative visualization and man's unity with God, and teaches the importance of truth, harmonious thinking and the ability to concentrate. The Book that will not only leave you 'feeling' good, but also 'thinking' good. In The Master Key System, presented as a series of twenty-four lessons, delivered to students, Charles Haanel discusses everything from how to feel healthy to how to become wealthy. Using precise logic and a consistent, common-sense frame-work, Haanel shows us how to achieve that what we most desire. Used as thus instructed "The Master Key" will make of the reader a greater, better personality, and equipped with a new power to achieve any worthy personal purpose and a new ability to enjoy life's beauty and wonder.

"The Fir-Tree" is a literary fairy tale by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875). The tale is about a fir tree so anxious to grow up, so anxious for greater things, that he cannot appreciate living in the moment. This short story was first published in 1844. It is a heartwarming tale about appreciating the good around you rather than always looking forward to "better times."

The Time Machine is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novella by H. G. Wells, published in 1895. One of the most renowned works of science fiction, The Time Machine reflects on the adventures of The Time Traveller-a man who constructs a machine which allows him to explore what the future has to offer. As he travels to as far as 802,701 AD, The Time Traveller encounters a world dominated by two types of creatures- beautiful and fragile Eloi and repulsive and brutal Morlocks. His journey then turns quickly from a series of observations into a dangerous quest to return back home, as he realizes that Morlocks have stolen his machine. A dystopian novel that fascinates the readers from the very beginning, The Time Machine both reflects Wells's sceptical outlook on the future of the Late Victorian England and makes the reader meditate on the future of our civilization.

"The Heathen" is a short story by the American writer Jack London. It was first published in Everybody's Magazine in August 1910. In the story, two people, from different cultural and racial backgrounds, are the only survivors of a ship that encounters a hurricane in the Pacific, and they remain together. The narrator, a pearl buyer named Charley, is a cabin passenger on a schooner, the Petite Jeanne, sailing from Rangiroa to Tahiti with a Kanaka crew, at the end of the pearling season in the Paumotas. The boat, having eighty-five deck passengers, is overloaded. Several passengers die of smallpox; Charley and the other cabin passengers drink whisky, until it runs out, in the belief that it will kill the smallpox germs. The boat is in the direct path of a hurricane. "The second sea filled the Petite Jeanne's decks flush with the rails, and, as her stern sank down and her bow tossed skyward, all the miserable dunnage of life and luggage poured aft. It was a human torrent.... Out of all my experiences I could not have believed it possible for the wind to blow as it did.... It was a monstrous thing, and the most monstrous thing about it was that it increased and continued to increase."

The Iron Heel is a science fiction novel novel by American writer Jack London, first published in 1908. It is considered to be "the earliest of the modern dystopian" fiction, it chronicles the rise of an oligarchic tyranny in the United States. In The Iron Heel, Jack London's socialist views are explicitly on display. A forerunner of soft science fiction novels and stories of the 1960s and 70s, the book stresses future changes in society and politics while paying much less attention to technological changes. The Iron Heel is cited by George Orwell's biographer Michael Shelden as having influenced Orwell's most famous novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. Orwell himself described London as having made "a very remarkable prophecy of the rise of Fascism", in the book and believed that London's understanding of the primitive had made him a better prophet "than many better-informed and more logical thinkers." Specifically, Orwell's protagonist Winston Smith, like London's Avis Everhard, keeps a diary where he writes down his rebellious thoughts and experiences. However, while Everhard's diary remained hidden during the centuries of tyranny to be discovered and published later, Smith's diary falls into the hands of the book's harsh Thought Police, whose interrogator tells Smith not to expect posterity to vindicate him: "Posterity will never hear of you, we will vaporize you".

"A Story Without a Title" is an 1888 humorous story by Anton Chekhov. In a remote 5th century monastery the monks live and toil, led by an elderly abbot. The old man likes to play the organ, write music and compose Latin verses but is famous most of all for his eloquence and fiery, inspirational monologues which leave everybody around him enchanted. Then one night a drunkard knocks the door of the gates, saying he'd got lost on his way and asking them to give him food and wine. After the supper, instead of thanks, he rather shames the monks for spending their lives away, while the townsfolk keep on drowning themselves in debauchery and vice. The guest's speech sounds offensive, but the abbot sees the point and suggests that he makes a trip to the town himself. The monks wait for the old man for three months. He returns silent and morose, then spends the next seven days fasting, playing the organ and crying. Back from his cell, he tells them the appalling story of the sin raging in the town, its people indulging in all manner of pleasures, drinking wine, visiting brothels, watching lustful harlots dancing on tables. Unfortunately, one of his bouts of inspiration hits him and the monks are transfixed. Having described the charms of evil, the old man curses the devil and departs to shut himself up in his cell. When he comes out in the morning, there is not a monk left in the monastery; they had all fled to the town.

Jack London - a writer whose works are enthusiastically read all over the world. His collection "Love of Life" is one of the brilliant pearls of his Northern stories cycle. Alaska is the place where each person should reveal their own real features. The North makes equal the poor and the rich; the intense cold does not take into account the infirmity; harsh, biting wind is indifferent to the social status, and a wild beast does not discriminate between social standings. In the confrontation with the severe nature, the heroes of the adducted works vanquish not only thanks to their courage, endurance, energy, but first and foremost, due to the strength of mind, an obsession with life, the capability even in the extreme situations to remain a Human.

"To the Man On the Trail " is a classic adventure short story by the American writer Jack London, was published in 1900. This is f story about a stranger who stops to rest at Malemute Kid's cabin. He tells the other men a little about himself. A little later, the men hear another story about the stranger from the authorities.

Where the Trail Forks is a late 19th century work of literature and is fiction. London's main purpose in this text is to entertain his readers by revealing to them an exciting fictitious event. London ties his story in with naturalism by describing natures terrain and landscape in many instances. Throughout the story there are many encounters with nature itself as well as wild animals such as dogs. Jack londons diction in this piece can be related to the diction reflecting the time period this work of literature was written. The way the sentences are constructed also reflect back on his time period using terminology that is less common in todays society.  The tone of the story starts off London sets the stage for the setting by starting the story in a forest full of snow covered pine trees with a handful of men waiting by a campfire protecting their food from a pack of hungry, wild dogs.

The Kybalion is a book originally published in 1908 by "Three Initiates" (often identified as the New Thought pioneer William Walker Atkinson, 1862-1932) that purports to convey the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus. While it shares with ancient and medieval Hermetic texts a number of traits such as philosophical mentalism, the concept of 'as above, so below', and the idea that everything consists of gendered polar opposites, as a whole it is more indebted to the ideas of modern occultist authors, especially those of the New Thought movement to which Atkinson belonged. A modern Hermetic tract, it has been widely influential in New Age circles since the twentieth century.