Books published by E-Artnow

Colonel Jack follows an orphaned boy from a life of poverty and crime to colonial prosperity, military and marital imbroglios, and religious conversion, driven by a problematic notion of becoming a "gentleman." Colonel Jack prominently tackles the subjects of money and crime. The novel begins with Jack as an abandoned illegitimate child, whose attending nurse is instructed by his father to inform Jack when he grows up that he is a "Gentleman". Jack goes through many adventures, initially turning to crime from desperation, wandering around the country and beyond, finding love several times... Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy, most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Defoe is noted for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularize the form in Britain with others such as Samuel Richardson, and is among the founders of the English novel. He was a prolific and versatile writer, producing more than five hundred books, pamphlets, and journals on various topics, including politics, crime, religion, marriage, psychology, and the supernatural.

A General History of the Pirates contains biographies of early 18th century pirates, which was influential in shaping popular conceptions of pirates. It is the prime source for the biographies of many well-known pirates and the author sticks close to the available sources. The History of the Pirates is a sequel to A General History of the Pyrates and it is considered one of Defoe's most remarkable neglected works. In this volume Defoe records the exploits of pirates who lived a few decades earlier. The book has been hugely influential in shaping popular notions of piracy. The King of Pirates is supposed to be an account of the pirate Henry Avery, known by contemporaries as "The Arch Pirate" and "The King of Pirates", and widely believed stories of Avery's pirate republic. Avery's account is presented in two long letters written by himself, one in Madagascar, and the other during the escape. The Pirate Gow is an account of John Gow, a notorious pirate whose short career was immortalized by Defoe. Gow had a successful career as a pirate around the Iberian Peninsula, but he was captured and hanged in London. Gow also served as the model for Captain Cleveland in Sir Walter Scott's novel The Pirate. Daniel Defoe (1660-1731), was an English writer, journalist, and spy, most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Defoe is noted for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, and he is considered one of the founders of the English novel.

The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe relates the story of a man's shipwreck on a desert island and his subsequent adventures. Epistolary, confessional, and didactic in form, the book is presented as an autobiography of the title character -a castaway who spends thirty years on a remote tropical island near Trinidad, encountering cannibals, captives, and mutineers, before ultimately being rescued. The story has been perceived to be based on the life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway who lived for four years on a Pacific island called "Más a Tierra", now part of Chile, which was renamed Robinson Crusoe Island in 1966. The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe describes how Crusoe settled in Bedford, married and produced a family, and that when his wife died, he went off on further adventures. Crusoe first returns to his island, and after that, circumstances take him off to Madagascar, then to Southeast Asia and China, and finally to Siberia. The story is speculated to be partially based on Moscow embassy secretary Adam Brand's journal detailing the embassy's journey from Moscow to Peking from 1693 to 1695. Serious Reflections of Robinson Crusoe is a collection of essays on spiritual and ethical subjects, written supposedly by Robinson Crusoe in his old years as he contemplates on the story of his life. Though sometimes noticeably dreary, it is quite interesting at some points, as it reveals some Defoe's ideas about morality and religion. Daniel Defoe (1660-1731), was an English writer, journalist, and spy, most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Defoe is noted for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, and he is considered one of the founders of the English novel.

From merely surviving the loss of his shipmates and the embayment of his ship within The Reef, protagonist and role-model Mark Woolston goes on to thrive by his own industry. Following a regional volcanic upheaval which raises new land, he founds a similarly industrious and thriving colony after escaping from, then returning to, The Reef. The outnumbered colonists must defend their new homes and possessions against natives who covet the new land. James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. His historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of American literature. Before embarking on his career as a writer, Cooper served in the U.S. Navy as a Midshipman, which greatly influenced many of his novels and other writings. The novel that launched his career was The Spy, a tale about counterespionage set during the Revolutionary War. He also wrote numerous sea stories, and his best-known works are five historical novels of the frontier period known as the Leatherstocking Tales. Among his most famous works is the Romantic novel The Last of the Mohicans, often regarded as his masterpiece.

Wyandotté is a historical novel set during the American Revolution and tells the story of a derelict Indian "Saucy Nick", also called Wyandotté ("Great Chief"), in the remote woods of upstate New York, who stands between a small group of settlers and an Indian tribe that want to slaughter them. Wyandotté's depictions violate stereotypes of Native Americans and novel rejects the more established history of the New York border war during the Revolution. James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. His historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of American literature. Before embarking on his career as a writer, Cooper served in the U.S. Navy as a Midshipman, which greatly influenced many of his novels and other writings. The novel that launched his career was The Spy, a tale about counterespionage set during the Revolutionary War. He also wrote numerous sea stories, and his best-known works are five historical novels of the frontier period known as the Leatherstocking Tales. Among his most famous works is the Romantic novel The Last of the Mohicans, often regarded as his masterpiece.

The Spy is a tale about counterespionage set during the Revolutionary War, with main character Harvey Birch, British loyalist who is in fact a George Washington's spy. The plot ranges back and forth over the neutral ground between the Continental and British armies with great haste and sweep. The action takes place so near to great events and the characters are all invested with something of the dusky light of heroes, while George Washington moves among them like an unsuspected god. This was the earliest American novel to win wide and permanent fame and may be said to have begun the type of romance which dominated U.S. fiction for 30 years. James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. His historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of American literature. Before embarking on his career as a writer, Cooper served in the U.S. Navy as a Midshipman, which greatly influenced many of his novels and other writings. The novel that launched his career was The Spy, he also wrote numerous sea stories, and his best-known works are five historical novels of the frontier period known as the Leatherstocking Tales. Among his most famous works is the Romantic novel The Last of the Mohicans, often regarded as his masterpiece.

Miles Wallingford Jr. is son of wealthy New York landowners, who chooses to go to sea after the death of his parents. In "Afloat and Ashore" focus is on the challenging relationship between Miles and Neb, a runaway slave who stows away aboard the ship and only is left unpunished when Miles claims him as his own slave. The two become close allies aboard the ship, but the racial and power differences between Miles, who becomes a petty officer aboard the vessel, and Neb, who is confined to the role of regular seaman. A sequel "Miles Wallingford" continues to follow the maritime adventures of Miles Wallingford Jr, and his long-time friends Neb and Lucy Harding, and resolves many thematic and plot elements left unsettled in Afloat and Ashore. Novels are partially autobiographical, inspired by J. Fenimore Cooper's own experiences as a sailor. James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. His historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of American literature. Before embarking on his career as a writer, Cooper served in the U.S. Navy as a Midshipman, which greatly influenced many of his novels and other writings. The novel that launched his career was The Spy, a tale about counterespionage set during the Revolutionary War. He also wrote numerous sea stories, and his best-known works are five historical novels of the frontier period known as the Leatherstocking Tales. Among his most famous works is the Romantic novel The Last of the Mohicans, often regarded as his masterpiece.

This classic describes the life of a cowboy who is a natural aristocrat, set against a highly mythologized version of the Johnson County War and taking the side of the large land owners. The Virginian paved the way for many more westerns by such authors as Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, and several others. Owen Wister (1860-1938) was an American writer and "father" of western fiction. When he started writing, he naturally inclined towards fiction set on the western frontier. Wister's most famous work remains the novel The Virginian.

The Awakening, originally titled A Solitary Soul, is the story of Edna Pontellier and her struggle between her increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood with the prevailing social attitudes of the turn-of-the-century American South. The novel is set in New Orleans and on the Louisiana Gulf coast at the end of the 19th century, and it is one of the earliest American novels that focuses on women's issues without condescension. It is also widely seen as a landmark work of early feminism, generating a mixed reaction from contemporary readers and critics. Kate Chopin (1850-1904) was an American author of short stories and novels. She is now considered by some to have been a forerunner of the feminist authors of the 20th century of Southern or Catholic background, such as Zelda Fitzgerald. Her major works include two short story collections, Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie, and novel The Awakening. Within a decade of her death, Chopin was widely recognized as one of the leading writers of her time.

"One evening last year I perceived in the waiting-room of my newspaper, Le Matin, a man dressed in black, his face heavy with the darkest despair, whose dry, dead eyes seemed to receive the images of things like unmoving mirrors. He was seated; and there rested on his knees a sandalwood box inlaid with polished steel. An office-boy told me that he had sat there motionless, silent, awaiting my coming, for three mortal hours." (Extract) Gaston Leroux (1868-1927) was a French journalist and author of detective fiction. In the English-speaking world, he is best known for writing the novel The Phantom of the Opera, which has been made into several film and stage productions of the same name. His novel The Mystery of the Yellow Room is also one of the most famous locked-room mysteries ever.

"The Mystery of the Yellow Room" is one of the first locked-room mystery crime fiction novels. It is the first novel starring fictional detective Joseph Rouletabille, and concerns a complex and seemingly impossible crime in which the criminal appears to disappear from a locked room. Leroux provides the reader with detailed, precise diagrams and floorplans illustrating the scene of the crime. The emphasis of the story is firmly on the intellectual challenge to the reader, who will almost certainly be hard pressed to unravel every detail of the situation. Also included in this edition is the thriller novel "The Secret of the Night". Gaston Leroux (1868-1927) was a French journalist and author of detective fiction. In the English-speaking world, he is best known for writing the novel The Phantom of the Opera (Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, 1910), which has been made into several film and stage productions of the same name. His novel The Mystery of the Yellow Room is also one of the most famous locked-room mysteries ever.

"When I say I am called Valmont, the name will convey no impression to the reader, one way or another. My occupation is that of private detective in London, but if you ask any policeman in Paris who Valmont was he will likely be able to tell you, unless he is a recent recruit. If you ask him where Valmont is now, he may not know, yet I have a good deal to do with the Parisian police." (The Triumph of Eugéne Valmont) Robert Barr (1849-1912) was a Scottish-Canadian short story writer and novelist, born in Glasgow, Scotland. His famous detective character Eugéne Valmont, fashioned after Sherlock Holmes, is said to be the inspiration behind Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. Barr also wrote two parodies of Holmes as a form of flattery to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the fashion of other such parodies being written at that time. And in spite of these parodies the two remained good friends all through their lives. A must read for all Holmes' enthusiasts! TABLE OF CONTENTS The Triumph of Eugéne Valmont The Mystery of the Five Hundred Diamonds The Siamese Twin of a Bomb-Thrower The Clue of the Silver Spoons Lord Chizelrigg's Missing Fortune The Absent-Minded Coterie The Ghost with the Club-Foot The Liberation of Wyoming Ed Lady Alicia's Emeralds Parody of Sherlock Holmes The Adventures of Sherlaw Kombs The Adventure of the Second Swag Literary Article "Canadian literature"

The Violet Strange Series is a collection of nine mysteries featuring Violet Strange, a debutante with a secret life as a sleuth. Table of Contents: - The Golden Slipper - The Second Bullet - An Intangible Clue - The Grotto Spectre - The Dreaming Lady - The House of Clocks - The Doctor, His Wife, and The Clock - Missing: Page Thirteen - Violet's Own - Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935) was one of the first writers of detective fiction in America and distinguished herself by writing well plotted, legally accurate stories. Green has been called "the mother of the detective novel". She is credited with shaping detective fiction into its classic form, and developing the series detective. As journalist Kathy Hickman writes, Green "stamped the mystery genre with the distinctive features that would influence writers from Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle to contemporary authors of suspenseful "whodunits". In addition to creating elderly spinster and young female sleuths, Green's innovative plot devices included dead bodies in libraries, newspaper clippings as "clews", the coroner's inquest, and expert witnesses.

This classic of English literature tells the story of Count Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to England so that he may find new blood and spread the undead curse, and of the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing. The tale begins with Jonathan Harker, a newly qualified English solicitor, visiting Count Dracula in the Carpathian Mountains on the border of Transylvania, to provide legal support for a real estate transaction. At first enticed by Dracula's gracious manners, Harker soon realizes that he is a prisoner in Dracula's castle. After the preparations are made, Dracula leaves Transylvania for England and abandons Harker to three female vampires, called the sisters. Harker barely escapes from the castle with his life, and after returning to England, he and his fiancée Mina join the campaign against Dracula.

The Jewel of Seven Stars tells the tale of Malcolm Ross, a young barrister, pulled into an archaeologist's plot to revive Queen Tera, an ancient Egyptian mummy. Malcolm is awakened in the middle of the night and summoned to the house of famous Egyptologist Abel Trelawny at the request of his daughter, Margaret. Once Malcolm arrives at the house, he learns why he has been called - Margaret, hearing strange noises from her father's bedroom, woke to find him unconscious and bloodied on the floor of his room, under some sort of trance. Margaret reveals that her father had left a letter of strange instructions in the event of his incapacitation, stating that his body should not be removed from his room and must be watched at all times until he wakes up. The room is filled with Egyptian relics, and Malcolm notices that the "mummy smell" has an effect on those in the room.

What Katy Did is an 1872 children's book which follows the adventures of a twelve-year-old American girl, Katy Carr, and her family who live in the fictional lakeside Ohio town of Burnet in the 1860s. Katy is a tall untidy tomboy, forever getting into scrapes but wishing to be beautiful and beloved. When a terrible accident makes her an invalid, her illness and four-year recovery gradually teach her to be as good and kind as she has always wanted. Two sequels follow Katy as she grows up: What Katy Did at School and What Katy Did Next. While the next two books after this trilogy, Clover and In the High Valley, narrate the story of Clover, Katy's younger sister. Susan Coolidge, pen name of Sarah Chauncey Woolsey (1835-1905), was an American children's author who is best known for her Katy Carr Series. The fictional Carr family of this series was modeled after Woolsey's own family and the protagonist Katy Carr was inspired by Woolsey herself; while the brothers and sisters "Little Carrs" were modeled on her four younger siblings.

The Corsican Brothers tells the story of two conjoined brothers who, though separated at birth, can still feel each other's pains. The story starts in March 1841, when the narrator travels to Corsica and stays at the home of the widow Savilia de Franchi who lives near Olmeto and Sullacaro. She is a mother of a former conjoined twin, Louis and Lucien. Louis is a lawyer in Paris, while Lucien clings on to his Corsican roots and thus stays at his mother's home. The narrator learns that the brothers were once conjoined, but separated at birth by a doctor with his scalpel. Despite being separated Louis and Lucien can still feel each other's emotions, even at distance. Lucien explains he has a mission to undertake, with reluctance. He has to mediate in a vendetta between the Orlandi and Colona families and invites the narrator to accompany him and meet the head of the Orlandi family. Alexandre Dumas, père (1802-1870) was a French writer whose works have been translated into nearly 100 languages and he is one of the most widely read French authors. His most famous works are The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

BLACK TULIP (Historical Adventure Novel), Author: Alexandre Dumas, Publication Year: 2018-12-14, Publisher: E-Artnow, Language: eng

These historical novels depict the conspiracy by the certain party of the nobility against the regent of France Philippe d'Orléans. Raoul d'Harmental, young aristocrat who came to Paris in 1711, is an adventurer, rather touchy and impetuous. After the king's death, D'Harmental is involved in the conflict between the regent and the party of malcontents who wished to take him down. The duchess, whose husband was deprived of his rights by the regent, makes proposals in this direction. D'Harmental must remove the Duke of Orleans and take him to Spain. The Regent's Daughter is a sequel to The Conspirators. Philippe d'Orléans, regent of France, although having a hard time with his two daughters and a son, wants to take care of another young girl, his illegitimate and hidden daughter, Helene de Chaverny, raised in a convent as an orphan. Helene, who ignores his parentage, is in love with Chevalier Gaston de Chanley, a conspirator involved in a plot against the regent. Young lovers, eager to get married, head towards the Paris unaware of the dramatic tangle that is played around them. Alexandre Dumas, père (1802-1870) was a French writer whose works have been translated into nearly 100 languages and he is one of the most widely read French authors. His most famous works are The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

The Mysterious Key and What It Opened is a tale of mystery and romance. The story follows Paul, an orphaned boy and Lillian Trevlyn, beautiful and rich young girl. Extract: "In a week Paul was a favorite with the household; even prudent Hester felt the charm of his presence, and owned that Lillian was happier for a young companion in her walks. Hitherto the child had led a solitary life, with no playmates of her own age, such being the will of my lady; therefore she welcomed Paul as a new and delightful amusement, considering him her private property and soon transferring his duties from the garden to the house." Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist.

Eight Cousins, or The Aunt-Hill is the story of Rose Campbell, a lonely and sickly girl who has been recently orphaned and must now reside with her maiden great aunts, the matriarchs of her wealthy Boston family. When Rose's guardian, Uncle Alec, returns from abroad, he takes over her care. Through his unorthodox theories about child-rearing, she becomes happier and healthier while finding her place in her family of seven boy cousins and numerous aunts and uncles. She also makes friends with Phebe, her aunts' young housemaid, whose cheerful attitude in the face of poverty helps Rose to understand and value her own good fortune. The sequel to Eight Cousins is Rose in Bloom, which continues Rose's story into young adulthood, depicting courtship and marriage, poverty and charity, transcendental poetry and prose, family and friends. Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the classic Little Women and its sequels Little Men and Jo's Boys. Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist.

Extract: "The three girls were the guests of a delightful old lady, who had know their mothers and was fond of renewing her acquaintance with them through their daughters. She loved young people, and each summer invited parties of them to enjoy the delights of her beautiful country house, where she lived alone now, being the childless widow of a somewhat celebrated man." Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist. Table of Contents: - May Flowers - An Ivy Spray and Ladies' Slippers - Pansies - Water-Lilies - Poppies and Wheat - Little Button-Rose - Mountain-Laurel and Maiden-Hair - Mountain-Laurel - "These stories were written for my own amusement during a period of enforced seclusion. The flowers which were my solace and pleasure suggested titles for the tales and gave an interest to the work. If my girls find a little beauty or sunshine in these common blossoms, their old friend will not have made her Garland in vain." - L. M. Alcott, Introduction

Table of Contents: - A Toast To Santa Clause - The Conversion of Hetherington - A Merry Christmas Pie - The Child Who Had Everything But - A Holiday Wish - Santa Clause and Little Billee - Christmas Eve - The House of the Seven Santas - Extract: - "He was only a little bit of a chap, and so, when for the first time in his life he came into close contact with the endless current of human things, it was as hard for him to "stay put" as for some wayward little atom of flotsam and jetsam to keep from tossing about in the surging tides of the sea. His mother had left him there in the big toy-shop, with instructions not to move until she came back, while she went off to do some mysterious errand. She thought, no doubt, that with so many beautiful things on every side to delight his eye and hold his attention, strict obedience to her commands would not be hard." - John Kendrick Bangs (1862-1922) was an American author, editor and satirist.

Extract: "Now, I believe everyone has had a Christmas present and a good time. Nobody has been forgotten, not even the cat," said Mrs. Ward to her daughter, as she looked at Pobbylinda, purring on the rug, with a new ribbon round her neck and the remains of a chicken bone between her paws. It was very late, for the Christmas-tree was stripped, the little folks abed, the baskets and bundles left at poor neighbors' doors, and everything ready for the happy day which would begin as the clock struck twelve. They were resting after their labors, while the yule log burned down; but the mother's words reminded Belinda of one good friend who had received no gift that night." Table of Contents: - Merry Christmas - A Christmas Dream And How It Came True - Becky's Christmas Dream - Kitty's Class Day - Rosa's Tale - Tilly's Christmas - The Abbot's Ghost, Or Maurice Treherne's Temptation - What the Bell Saw and Said - Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886).

Extract: "The little girl came into her papa's study, as she always did Saturday morning before breakfast, and asked for a story. He tried to beg off that morning, for he was very busy, but she would not let him. So he began: "Well, once there was a little pig... "She put her hand over his mouth and stopped him at the word. She said she had heard little pig-stories till she was perfectly sick of them. "Well, what kind of story shall I tell, then?" "About Christmas. It's getting to be the season. It's past Thanksgiving already." William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an American realist author, literary critic, and playwright. Nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters", he was particularly known for his tenure as editor of the Atlantic Monthly as well as his own prolific writings, including the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day", and the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria. "Christmas Every Day" is a short story by William Dean Howells about a young American girl, whose wish that Christmas would come daily is granted for an entire year, until she realizes the true meaning of the holiday season. Table of Contents: - Christmas Every Day - Turkeys Turning the Tables - The Pony Engine and the Pacific Express - The Pumpkin Glory - Butterflyfutterby and Flutterbybutterfly

"I wish to invite you to the consideration of a great principle of Nature-a great natural force that manifests its activities in the phenomena of Dynamic Mentation-a great Something the energies of which I have called MIND-POWER." My thought on the subject is based upon the fundamental conception that THERE EXISTS IN NATURE A DYNAMIC MENTAL PRINCIPLE-A MIND-POWER-PERVADING ALL SPACE-IMMANENT IN ALL THINGS-MANIFESTING IN AN INFINITE VARIETY OF FORMS, DEGREES, AND PHASES. I hold that this energy, or force, or dynamic principle, is no respecter of persons. Its service, like that of the sun and rain, and all natural forces, is open to all-just and unjust; good and bad; high and low; rich and poor. It responds to the proper efforts, no matter by whom exerted, or for what purpose called into effect. But the proper effort must be exerted, consciously or unconsciously, else there will be no operation of the force." - William Walker Atkinson William Walker Atkinson (1862-1932) was a prolific writer. His works treat themes related to the mental world, occultism, divination, psychic reality, and mankind's nature. They constitute a basis for what Atkinson called "New Psychology" or "New Thought".

In this book we have given you the essence, substance, gist, and spirit of the best teachings concerning the Solar Plexus, or Abdominal Brain, -teachings both Oriental and Occidental, both ancient and modern. The instruction has been condensed and compressed into a small space, and, therefore must be most carefully read and studied in order to obtain the full contents thereof. We ask you to read and re-read this book a number of times; taking it up from time to time to refresh your memory concerning its teachings. The subject is an important one, and the methods and instruction given you herein are practical and easily applied. Here you have the gist of the Solar Plexus Teaching stated in condensed form, without fanciful trimming, fringes, or additions attached in order to make the teachings "fit in" with some particular metaphysical theory. (William Walker Atkinson, The Solar Plexus) William Walker Atkinson (1862-1932) was a prolific writer. His works treat themes related to the mental world, occultism, divination, psychic reality, and mankind's nature. They constitute a basis for what Atkinson called "New Psychology" or "New Thought".

The story is narrated in the first person as an autobiographical memoir told by the titular horse named Black Beauty-beginning with his carefree days as a colt on an English farm with his mother, to his difficult life pulling cabs in London, to his happy retirement in the country. Along the way, he meets with many hardships and recounts many tales of cruelty and kindness. Each chapter recounts an incident in Black Beauty's life containing a lesson or moral typically related to the kindness, sympathy, and understanding treatment of horses, with Sewell's detailed observations and extensive descriptions of horse behaviour lending the novel a good deal of verisimilitude. While forthrightly teaching animal welfare, it also teaches how to treat people with kindness, sympathy, and respect. With fifty million copies sold, Black Beauty is one of the best-selling books of all time. Anna Sewell (1820-1878) was an English novelist, best known as the author of the classic 1877 novel Black Beauty. Anna was unable to stand without a crutch or to walk for any length of time because of an old injury. For greater mobility, she frequently used horse-drawn carriages, which contributed to her love of horses and concern for the humane treatment of animals.

Excerpt: "In an old time, long ago, when the fairies were in the world, there lived a little girl so very fair and pleasant of look, that they called her Snowflower. This girl was good as well as pretty. No one had ever seen her frown or heard her say a cross word, and young and old were glad when they saw her coming. Snowflower had no relation in the world but a very old grandmother, called Dame Frostyface. They lived together in a little cottage built of peat and thatched with reeds, on the edge of a great forest." Frances Browne (1816-1879) was an Irish poet and novelist, best remembered for her book Granny's Wonderful Chair.

The story is about Carol Bird, a Christmas-born child, who as a young girl is unusually loving and generous, having a positive effect on everyone with whom she comes into contact. She is the youngest member of her family and has devoted older brothers. At about the age of 5, Carol contracts an unspecified illness (possibly tuberculosis), and, by the time she is 10, she is bedridden. The novel primarily involves Carol making plans for a Christmas celebration for the nine Ruggles children, a poor, working-class family living near the Birds. The book is a wistful moral tale about a saintly child, but is enlivened by many humorous scenes, particularly those concerning the home life of the Ruggles family. Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923) was an American educator and author of children's stories. She started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878. Kate Wiggin devoted her adult life to the welfare of children in an era when children were commonly thought of as cheap labour.