Books published by Cosimo Classics

With its vivid language and bold strokes, the magnificent History of the Conquest of Peru, first published in 1847, is one of historian William Prescott's landmark works.A masterly study of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro's overthrow of the Inca Empire, this astonishing chronicle is considered a classic of Latin American history. Noted for its striking portrayal of the Spanish character, the book rings with a "fusion of courage, cruelty, pride, and gallows humor," says Darnell. "We seem to be overhearing dialogue and observing firsthand the interaction between the Spaniards as they struggle for control of an empire." He hails this as "an immensely readable history."Also available from Cosimo Classics: History of the Conquest of Mexico, Prescott's companion volume about Cortés's subjugation of the Aztecs.Historian, writer, and scholar WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT (1796-1859) was born in Salem, Massachusetts. A regular contributor to the prestigious Boston literary journal North American Review, he also authored numerous books of history, including 1837's The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic, a critical and popular success in both America and Europe.

To the women of future centuries of the United States of America, this record of many women of the first and second centuries, whose lives were full of usefulness, and therefore worthy of renown and imitation. - from the DedicationInitially released in 1883, DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA OR WOMEN OF THE CENTURY contains the first published attempt to record the life and times of hundreds of extraordinary women. This remarkable manual chronicles a vast array of women including insightful profiles of:· Religious & Spiritual Women· Women of the American Revolution· The Wives of the Presidents· Women Leaders in Philanthropy and Society· Women Poets and Scientists· Women Preachers and EducatorsInvaluable and entertaining, Hanaford's work here is an enduring example of the profound influence of women throughout Western culture.PHEBE A. HANAFORD (1829-1921) was born into a Quaker family on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. She spoke openly of her desire to be a Quaker preacher and eventually took the pledge at age 18 as an ordained chaplain and treasurer of the Daughters of Temperance. However, her commitment as an abolitionist led her to relinquish her Quaker pacifism. As a result, her contact with women of the Universalist church opened up a world of activism for the rights of women.

The condition of the Roman Emperors has never yet been fully appreciated; nor has it been sufficiently perceived in what respects it was absolutely unique. -- Thomas De Quincey, The CaesarsOriginally published in 1853, this intriguing volume incisively examines an era of the ancient past known as "The Caesars." With its reign-by-reign account of the power holders of the "imperial purple," it serves easily as a companion text for classes in classical history.The Caesars weaves a compelling narrative of the rise and fall of the Roman emperors, complete with an historical timeline and dynamic portraits of the major events, influences, and supremacy of ancient Rome.AUTHOR BIO:Thomas De Quincey (1785-1859) was born Manchester, England, and was educated at schools in Bath and Winkfield but left Oxford without taking a degree. He eventually settled in London, where, in 1807, he became close friends of the romantic writer Taylor Colderidge as well as of William Wordsworth, whom De Quincey greatly admired. De Quincey's influence was later seen in the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Baudelaire.

This collection brings together some of this much-loved writer's prose work. In it, Oscar Wilde touches on a wide range of topics as only he can. He discusses the decay of lying, the critic as artist, and the truth of masks. He provides criticism of productions of works of Shakespeare and other theatrical concerns, such as stage scenery, stage morals, and "plays that are meant to be read, not to be acted." He also devotes his attention to women's issues, such as novels and stories written by women and women's achievements. Taken together, readers will discover the incisive wit and unique observations for which Wilde was renowned.OSCAR WILDE (1854-1900) was a celebrated Irish-born playwright, short story writer, poet, and personality in Victorian London. He is best known for his involvement in the aesthetic movement and his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, as well as his many plays, such as Lady Windermere's Fan, The Importance of Being Ernest, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and Salomé. During his imprisonment for gross indecency, he wrote De Profundis, and later, The Ballad of Reading Gao.

Andrew Lang was one of the leading lights in the study of unexplained phenomena. In this collection of essays, he takes a look at the state of the study of early religion, ritual, magic, and myth. He begins by looking at science and superstition, and the dangers of allowing belief unsupported by fact to seep into science. He then discusses the origin or religion, and "loan gods," or borrowed religion, a theory advanced by E.B. Tylor. Lang then moves on to look at William Frazer's theory of the origin of the divine character of Christ. In addition, Lang discusses other topics related to early religious beliefs, including taboos and walking through fire.ANDREW LANG was born in Selkirk, Scotland, in 1844 and became an expert on a variety of topics. He translated The Odyssey and The Iliad; wrote a number of histories of Scotland; explored mythology, religion, and folklore in his writings; and authored novels, poetry, literary criticisms, and children's books. He was one of the founders of the study of Psychical Research, the scientific investigation of unexplained phenomena.

This 1901 volume of A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language completely updates the classic reference work first published in 1882. Skeat provides a staggering number of words, including those most frequently used in everyday speech and those most prominent in literature. They appear along with their definitions, their language of origin, their roots, and their derivatives. Those who are fascinated with the English language will find much to explore here and many overlooked but interesting tidbits and treasures of an ever-evolving language.Walter W. Skeat was a scholar of Old English, mathematics, English place names, and Anglo-Saxon. He founded the English Dialect Society in 1873 and was a professor at Cambridge University. Skeat edited many classic works, including Lancelot of the Laik, Piers Plowman, The Bruce, Lives of Saints, and a seven-volume edition of Chaucer.

It could be argued that the Civil War was the most influential event in the history of the United States. In The Civil War and the Constitution, political scientist John W. Burgess explores the politics, people, and sentiments of this time, and closely examines the constitutional issues of the Civil War. Volume 2 of this two-volume work covers battles in New Orleans, Kentucky, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Atlanta, and Charleston, as well as Sherman's march through Georgia. The Emancipation Proclamation is discussed in great depth, along with constitutional issues created by the military events of 1862 and 1863.JOHN W. BURGESS, Ph.D., LL.D., was a professor of political science and constitutional law and dean of the faculty of political science at Columbia University in New York.

It could be argued that the civil war was the most influential event in the history of the United States. In THE CIVIL WAR AND THE CONSTITUTION, political scientist John W. Burgess explores the politics, people, and sentiments of this time, and closely examines the constitutional issues of the Civil War. Volume 1 of this two-volume work covers anti-slavery sentiment in the South between 1857 and 1860, the presidential election of 1860, the secession of the South, Lincoln's administration, and military campaigns. Burgess also provides personal histories of the three men who were called to lead during this time -- Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Stephen Arnold Douglas.JOHN W. BURGESS, Ph.D., LL.D., was a professor of political science and constitutional law and dean of the faculty of political science at Columbia University in New York.

Wall Street is more than just the crossroads of money and power. It is also the location of a long and interesting history of revolutionary decisions, political events, and financial growth. Historian Martha Lamb looks at Wall Street "in all its primitive, picturesque, political, social, and monetary aspects." She begins with the development of the site by Manhattan settlers, a site she describes as a "tangle of underbrush, wild grape-vine and tree, animated with untrained bears of a shining pitch-black color, hungry wolves, noisy wild-cats, and sly raccoons." A primitive fence was built along what is now Wall Street, and the place has become "one of the most widely known and remarkable localities in the civilized world." Lamb also examines personalities such as John Jay and political events such as the American Revolution and the adoption of the Constitution.MARTHA J. LAMB was a historian who was also active in charitable organizations. Best known for the two-volume History of the City of New York, published in 1877-81, she also published children's books, novels, short stories, and magazine articles. She was the editor of the Magazine of American History as well. In Chicago, where she lived for eight years, she founded the Home for Friendless and Half-Orphan Asylum, and was secretary of the first Sanitary Fair in 1863.

This collection of essays was commissioned for the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of accountants in Scotland, the country in which accountants were first chartered. It attempts to trace the origin and growth of the profession relating to accounts, auditing, and bookkeeping. Topics include ancient systems of accounting; early Italian accountants; accounting in Scotland, England, Ireland, Europe, the British colonies, and the United States; and the future of the profession.Edited by Richard Brown, contributors include John S. Mackay, Edward Boyd, J. Row Fogo, Joseph Patrick, and Alexander Sloan.