Books published by Cosimo Classics

A bocan was not the only inhabitant of the spirit-world that Donald Ban encountered during his lifetime. A cousin of his mother was said to have been carried off by the fairies, and one night Donald saw him among them, dancing away with all his might.-from "Donald's Hymn"Not merely an assortment of spooky ghost stories suitable for a foggy Halloween night-though it is certainly that as well-this is a history of the ghost story told from the perspectives of mythology and anthropology. Written by one of the late 19th century's foremost experts on folklore and first published in 1897, this is an early scientific study of the occult that features some of the best-documented ghost stories from the history of humanity. The chilling case studies examine:. the deathbed of Louis XIV. the restraining hand. the wraith of the czarina. Sir George Villiers' ghost. the slaying of Sergeant Davies. the dream that knocked at the door. the lady in black. the dancing devil. and many, many more.Also available from Cosimo Classics: Lang's two-volume Myth, Ritual & Religion.Scottish journalist and author ANDREW LANG (1844-1912), the son of the sheriff-clerk of rural Selkirkshire, was educated at Edinburgh Academy, the Universities of St. Andrews and Glasgow, and Balliol College, Oxford. A contemporary and friend of Robert Louis Stevenson, he produced a stunning variety and number of volumes, including books of poetry, novels, children's books, histories, and biographies, as well as criticism, essays, scholarly works of anthropology, and translations of classical literature.

Animated by the vibrant, cheerful spirit of pre-World War I America, this 1916 guide to "the philosophy of Otherfellowship" is like Adam Smith meets Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: it's a directive to living with the kind of gung-ho American enthusiasm and expansive spirit that the Gilded Age was bursting with. From the one basic human law we all must follow-"Be good!"-to our "immense and imperative" duty to vote, this little book contains all manner of wisdom for relating to your fellow human beings:. "Decent living... consists in not being frightened, not being fat, and not being sentimental.". "It is precisely because it is predestined that friendship is at once mysterious and precious.". "If your work hasn't in it the essential quality of being good for the Other Fellow, he will not pay for it."Loving thy neighbor was never so easy-or so entertaining-as pioneering self-help guru Thompson made it sound almost a century ago.VANCE THOMPSON (1863-1925) is also the author of Eat and Grow Thin and The Ego Book.

Ireland, helpless against misery and superstition, misled by hatred against her conquerors, the rulers of England, formed sects to fight not so much the evil, as the supposed authors of the evil. -from "Irish Societies" From the modern intrigue of conspiracy theories to the immense popularity of The Da Vinci Code, the fascination with secret societies-and their arcane knowledge and power-has never been so rampant. This monumental, encyclopedic work details the initiations and ceremonies, the codes and customs of mysterious organizations from ancient times to the modern world. First published in 1875 and completely revised and updated in 1897, this remains the definitive, authoritative guide to secret societies... and to the spiritual evolution of humanity they represent. Volume II features: . an in-depth exploration of Freemasonry, from its origins and traditions to its influence in the histories of England, Scotland, France, and Italy . political secret societies, including anarchists, Napoleonic organizations, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians . minor groups such as the Cambridge Secret Society, Phi-Beta-Kappa, and Society of the Turf. Also available from Cosimo Classics: The Secret Societies of All Ages & Countries: Vol. 1. British historian and author CHARLES WILLIAM HECKETHORN (c. 1826-1902) was born in Switzerland but emigrated to England as a child. Among his writings are a novel, a book of verse, translations of Scandinavian folklore, and the travelogues Italian Lights and Shadows, London Souvenirs, and London Memories.

It was by a somewhat singular process of self-restraint that one whose life had been that of a parish minister undertook to treat the themes of religion without preaching... -from "The Creation and Man" Originally prepared as lectures delivered before the Lowell Institute, the Boston organization of cultural philanthropy, this 1898 collection of essays by Alexander McKenzie, minister of The First Church of Cambridge, offers clear, lucid discussions of: . The Creation and Man . The Course of Man in the Oldest Literature . The Son of Man in Early Literature . The Purpose and Method of Christ . The Cause of Christ in the Hands of Men . The Christian Forces Christians as well as readers of comparative mythology and religion as those interested in the thematic exploration of religion in classic literature will find this an enlightening read. ALEXANDER MCKENZIE also wrote A Door Opened, Christ Himself, Some Things Abroad, and Cambridge Sermons.

The purport of the present volume, in contradistinction to the idea of the Negro being designed only for a servile condition, is to demonstrate that the Sable inhabitants of Africa are capable of occupying a position in society very superior to that which has been generally assigned to them.-from the PrefaceThis extraordinary book, first published in 1848, serves as both an angry denunciation of the "terrible institution" of slavery in the United States and a celebration of the survival and achievements of Africans in America in the pre-Civil War era. A Tribute for the Negro:. explains the "sin of slavery". refutes notions of the correlation of intellectual ability to skin color. explores the history of slavery across the globe. discusses the "pernicious influence of slavery". mounts an impassioned defense of African culture. offers numerous biographical accounts of slave life in America.An important document of the North American slave experience-and of the abolitionist movement it inspired both in the States and abroad-this is must reading for anyone interested in this most shameful aspect of American history.British writer WILSON ARMISTEAD (1819¬-1868) was a correspondent of Charles Darwin. He also wrote Anthony Benezet (1859).

Never forget that, when honestly made, the money which comes to you in the pursuit of your legitimate vocation, is... the measure of your worth in the community you serve.-from "How Riches Take Wings"In these uncertain economic times, the wisdom of self-help pioneer Orison Swett Marden is just as vital today as it was a century ago. A forerunner of Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale, Stephen R. Covey and Anthony Robbins, and one of the prime figures in the early motivational movement, Marden explains why learning to manage money is the key to personal happiness and security. In inspiring terms, he explores:. the foundations of fortune. how to say "No!" to the temptation to buy. the hidden costs of debt. the unspoken requirement for making money. how saving small amounts can set you on the road to wealth. how "judicious liberality promotes prosperity". and much more.First published in 1901, Economy makes plain that money is "an excellent servant but a terrible master."Also available from Cosimo Classics: Marden's two-volume Pushing to the Front and Cheerfulness as a Life Power.American writer and editor ORISON SWETT MARDEN (1850-1924) was born in New England and studied at Boston University and Andover Theological Seminary. In 1897, he founded Success Magazine.

The world takes us at our own valuation. It believes in the man who believes in himself, but it has little use for the timid man, the one who is never certain of himself; who cannot rely on his own judgment, who craves advice from others, and is afraid to go ahead on his own account. -from "The Rulers of Destiny" The preeminent self-help expert of the early 20th century and a forerunner of Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale, Stephen R. Covey and Anthony Robbins, Marden penned numerous motivation books that galvanized the public. In this insightful and motivating little book, first published in 1901 and just as enlightening today, he explores the importance of mental discipline to our happiness and success. Topics covered include: . training the will . "the wills, won'ts, and can'ts" . what is worse than rashness . conquerors of fortune . concentrated energy . persistent purpose . and more. Also available from Cosimo Classics: Marden's Friendship, Cheerfulness as a Life Power, Do It to a Finish, and two-volume Pushing to the Front. American writer and editor ORISON SWETT MARDEN (1850-1924) was born in New England and studied at Boston University and Andover Theological Seminary. In 1897, he founded Success Magazine.