Books published by AD Classic

Testing his time machine for the first time, a Victorian scientist finds himself in the year 802,701 ad. Encountering a childlike people called the Eloi, who live in futuristic buildings and have no need of work, the Time Traveller speculates that the human race has evolved to live in a peaceful utopian society. But when his time machine is stolen by a brutish subterranean people called the Morlock, the Time Traveller must enter their realm in order to continue his journey through time. H. G. Wells is credited with the popularisation of time travel, and introduced the idea of time being the "fourth dimension" a decade before the publication of Einstein's first Relativity papers. The Time Machine also reflects on Wells' views on the antagonism between social classes resulting from different economic and social interests, and the evolution of the human condition. Included is The Grey Man, which was originally written as chapter 11 to The Time Machine, but was removed before publication, and later published as a short story.

Assembled for the first time is a complete collection of Edgar Allan Poe's science fiction stories. These sixteen tales include Poe's only novel 'Arthur Gordon Pym', which is filled with fantastical thoughts on life at the south polar region. 'The Unparalleled Adventures of Hans Pfall' involves space travel and aliens, 'Some Words with a Mummy' explores the realm of alternate history and suspended animation, while 'Eureka' introduces the big bang theory eighty years before its time.Known for his tales of horror, Edgar Allan Poe shaped the building blocks of science fiction. His scientific speculation was based on mid-nineteenth century theories and understandings, but he took them to levels that no one had ever dreamed possible. Poe's stories inspired Jules Verne and H. G. Wells to dream beyond the limits of science and technology, and they are essential to an understanding of the roots of science fiction.This 352 page collectors edition includes 34 illustrations, a biography, historical reviews, articles, and an introduction by Mark Rich.

Having spent ten years fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus embarks on his journey back to Ithica. To get there he must deceive a giant Cyclops, face Poseidon's wrath, escape cannibalism, defeat the witch-goddess Circe, skirt the land of the Sirens, sail between a six-headed monster and a raging whirlpool, and escape captivity on the island of Calypso. But perhaps his biggest threat is his prolonged absence from home, as 108 suitors are vying for his wife's hand in marriage.Composed near the end of the eighth century BC, The Odyssey was intended to be sung by an epic poet. One of the most impressive elements of the text is that events depend equally on the choices made by women and serfs as on the actions of fighting men. The story has had a profound influence on cultures around the world, so much so, that the word odyssey has come to refer to an epic voyage in many languages.In this edition of Samuel Butler's translation, the names of the gods and characters have been restored from Latin to the original Greek.

When young d'Artagnan travels to Paris to join the ranks of the Musketeers, he soon finds himself challenged to three duals with Athos, Porthos and Aramis. However, the foursome is abruptly attacked by the evil Cardinal Richelieu's guards, and d'Artagnan fights alongside them, proving his skills with a sword and his honour. The three Musketeers enfold d'Artagnan into their ranks, and what follows is a swashbuckling tale full of intrigue, friendship and revenge.Alexandre Dumas got the idea for The Three Musketeers from Courtilz de Sandras' 1700 novel Mémoires de Monsieur d'Artagnan, which was based on real events surrounding the lives of d'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Dumas made them human, gave them colour, and made them more real than even the truth itself. Since then the term 'Three Musketeers' has been used to describe a trio of individuals who support each other including Supreme Court Justices, engineers and Japanese wrestlers.

Journey with Alice down the rabbit hole into a world of wonder where oddities, logic and wordplay rule supreme. Encounter characters like the grinning Cheshire Cat who can vanish into thin air, the cryptic Mad Hatter who speaks in riddles and the harrowing Queen of Hearts obsessed with the phrase "Off with their heads!" This is a land where rules have no boundaries, eating mushrooms will make you grow or shrink, croquet is played with flamingos and hedgehogs, and exorbitant trials are held for the theft of tarts. Amidst these absurdities, Alice will have to find her own way home. This edition includes the 1866 facsimile of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the 1871 facsimile of Through the Looking-Glass, preserved in their original form. Carroll's unique play on logic has undoubtedly led to his stories lasting appeal with adults, while remaining two of the most beloved children's tales of all time. This edition is complete with all 92 original illustrations by Sir John Tenniel.