Spanning four decades and four continents, this magisterial volume brings together the essential shorter works of reflection and reportage by our most sensitive, literate, and undeceivable observer of the post-colonial world. In its pages V. S. Naipaul trains his relentless moral intelligence on societies from India to the United States and sees how each deals with the challenges of modernity and the seductions of both the real and mythical past.
Whether he is writing about a string of racial murders in Trinidad; the mad, corrupt reign of Mobutu in Zaire; Argentina under the generals; or Dallas during the 1984 Republican Convention, Naipaul combines intellectual playfulness with sorrow, indignation, and analysis so far-reaching that it approaches prophecy. The Writer and the World reminds us that he is in a class by himself.
From the Trade Paperback edition. Views: 416
Chester the Coyote and his friend Hank the Hawk are in search of a new home called the oasis.Stories about Ignatius Loyola, John Bunyan, Telemachus, the twelve Martyrs of Scilla, and some frustrated fisherman. They do such things as start the Jesuit order, put an end to the gladiatorial games in Rome, and die for their faith. These are mostly biographies and are all written in creative nonfiction style, which is where you take real events and add details so that they read like a novel. The stories pop to life and will challenge you. Would you do what they did? Views: 416
Clara Amedroz is the only surviving child of the elderly squire of Belton Castle in Somersetshire. Her father's income and savings have been dissipated to pay for the extravagances of her brother, who subsequently committed suicide. Since her father has no living sons, his estate, which is entailed, will pass upon his death to a distant cousin, Will Belton. Despite her poor prospects, she has two eligible suitors. Within four days of making her acquaintance, Will Belton proposes marriage to her. Belton is warm-hearted, kind, and generous, and these qualities make a strong impression on Clara. However, she believes herself in love with Captain Frederic Aylmer, although he has given no clear signs of feeling that way toward her. Aylmer is impeccable in his manners, smooth, urbane, well-read, and a member of Parliament; compared to him, Belton is awkward and unpolished. Views: 415
The acclaimed author of Breath, Eyes, Memory presents an anthology of personal essays by Hilton Als, Christopher Hitchens, Zadie Smith and others.In her selection process for this sterling volume, Edwidge Danticat considers the inherent vulnerability of the essay form—a vulnerability that seems all the more present in today's spotlighted public square. As she says in her introduction, "when we insert our 'I' (our eye) to search deeper into someone, something, or ourselves, we are always risking a yawn or a slap, indifference or disdain."Here are intimate personal essays that examine a range of vital topics, from cancer diagnosis to police brutality, and from devastating natural disasters to the dilemmas of modern medicine. All in all, "the brave voices behind these experiences keep the pages turning" (Kirkus Reviews).The Best American Essays 2011 includes entries by Hilton Als, Katy Butler, Toi Derricotte, Christopher... Views: 413
VOLUME 5 As a Thief in the Night (1928) Dr. Thorndyke Investigates (1930) Mr. Pottermack's Oversight (1930) Pontifex, Son and Thorndyke (1931)As a Thief in the Night (1928)Harold Monkhouse is usually such an uncomplaining patient so when his brother Amos calls in one night, what he doesn't expect is to see him at Death's door. Suspicions aroused, he demands an urgent second opinion. And when Harold is later found dead from arsenic poisoning, Amos is left in no doubt that foul play is afoot. The inquiry begins and Barbara Monkhouse is soon singled out as the prime suspect. What ensues is a roller coaster ride into crime fiction at its best as the truth of the fateful night eludes even the best of detective minds. Could it be a simple case of wife poisoning husband - or is it just possible that another shadowy figure stole into Harold's room, as a thief in the night, to rid the world of an innocent man? Dr Thorndyke Investigates (1930) A collection of 5 previously-published short stories, all of which are contained in earlier volumes in the series. I've simply included the table of contents for this book, and referred the reader back to the books in which the stories originally appeared.The Blue Sequin, The New Jersey Sphinx, The Magic Casket, The Pathologist to the Rescue and The Touchstone.Mr. Pottermack's Oversight (1930)Mr Pottermack is a law abiding, settled homebody who has nothing to hide until the appearance of the shadowy Lewison, a gambler and blackmailer with an incredible story. It appears that Pottermack is in fact a run away prisoner, convicted of fraud and Lewison is about to spill the beans unless he receives a large bribe in return for his silence. But Pottermack protests his innocence, and resolves to shut Lewison up once and for all. Will he do it? And if he does, will he get away with it? Pontifex, Son and Thorndyke (1931)This puzzling plot is related by two different characters: messenger boy Jasper Gray, who experiences several strange adventures, and Dr Jervis, friend of Dr Thorndyke. Dr Thorndyke is investigating a terrible crime, the solving of which remains elusive because of key facts remaining unknown. He needs the facts to confirm his case: Jasper could complete the blank spaces if only Thorndyke were aware of his existence. Views: 411
An old school band manager and a new school performer find common ground.They found him in a field half out of his mind after the whole thing went down. He still has headaches. His best friend Anthony was there too and he feels responsible. It was his idea. He tried to keep Michael from running into the field after it happened but he couldn’t. He still has a cast on his left leg. Anthony does not like the stories in the newspapers either. The articles informed us he was a gang banger. He is not. The last time I spoke with Anthony he had plans for leaving Colorado once he heals. I want to tell their story and mine, I was there. Let me tell you how I met Michael and Anthony and why I worked hard to defend them. I’m not a lawyer or anything but I did have time for a side project. I’m also going to tell you how I fell in love. It happened on the same day I ran into Michael and Anthony. Funny how things work out. Views: 410
"An Old Man's Love," the last novel written by Anthony Trollope, tells the story of William Whittlestaff, who lost the woman he loved to a richer, more lively rival many years before, lives alone at Croker Hall in Hampshire, looked after by his loyal, odd housekeeper Mrs Baggett. Mr Whittlestaff impulsively takes in as his ward the orphaned daughter of an old friend, nineteen year-old Mary Lawrie, much to Mrs Baggett's disapproval. She - rightly - suspects that Mary's arrival will eventually lead to her master falling in love with the girl, who will supplant her as head of the household. The reserved, unworldly Mary gradually warms towards the lonely bachelor, and he eventually asks her to be his wife. Mary has only briefly experienced love three years before, with John Gordon, a penniless Oxford student who was sent away by her step-mother as a bad prospect. Mary accepts Mr Whittlestaff, but not before making him aware of the history of her short and painful dealings with John Gordon. He dismisses this knowledge, allowing that Mary 'may think of him' from time to time, but privately presuming the young man to be safely out of her life.But John Gordon unexpectedly arrives at Croker Hall. Fresh from the diamond fields of South Africa where he has made a considerable fortune in order to make himself worthy of Mary, he has come to renew his suit, and she finds herself caught in an impossible situation, feeling incapable of jilting the man whose proposal she has so recently accepted. Mr Whittlestaff, though well aware who it is that Mary really loves, is unwilling to be rejected himself once again, and reluctant to release her from her promise. John Gordon, unable quite to give up hope, goes to stay for a few days with an old university friend, Montagu Blake, a curate who lives nearby. Thus the battle is on for the hand of Mary Lawrie... Views: 409
A drop out is conscripted to defend city against imminent zombov attack.A drop out is conscripted to defend city against imminent zombov attack. Buddied up with the girl of his dreams, Private Fluffy lurches his way through basic training. Will the heifferfolk be as difficult to deal with as Captain McGuire?Echoes of Catch 22, traces of Zone 1, a whiff of Adrian Mole and a dash of World War Z – what more could you want from an apocalypse novel? Views: 407
Mr Pottermack is a law abiding, settled, homebody who has nothing to hide until the appearance of the shadowy Lewison, a gambler and blackmailer with an incredible story. It appears that Pottermack is in fact a runaway prisoner, convicted of fraud and Lewison is about to spill the beans, unless he receives a large bribe in return for his silence. But Pottermack protests his innocence, and resolves to shut Lewison up once and for all. Will he do it? And if he does, will he get away with it? Views: 404
Fix Bay\'nets - The Regiment in the Hills is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by George Manville Fenn is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of George Manville Fenn then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. Views: 402
The story of Jonathan, head chef at Chez Davide restaurant, when he meets Janet, his next-door neighbor.The story of Jonathan, head chef at Chez Davide restaurant when he meets Janet, his next-door neighbor. Views: 400
A book of fairy tale and bird stories for all ages. Thirteen stories in all.This is a fairy tale book.The Book of Bird and Fairy Stories Table of Contents:1. A Canary in a Golden Cage 2. The Wild Swans, a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen3. The Elf Knight4. The Stork’s Nest5. The Fairy Ring6. The Knight and the Sparrow-hawk7. Heron Harbor and the Moon Fairy8. Undine and the Knight9. The Tale of the Sweet Pea Fairy10. The Sandpiper11. The Lorelei12. The Wood Fairy and the Elf Owl 13. The Kindness of the Imps14. The Mist Fairy and the Nightingale Views: 399
