The Usurper

William J. Locke

The Usurper is an affair with two heroes and two heroines. The double plot of love and ambition, in which fate. four intersect each other. The romance of the poet who dies young, loved by all men and women, is very cute. moving. But a greater interest in the book is to find out the life and character of Jasper Wellacot: a millionaire who is so amazingly flabbergasted in his wealth, a philanthropist who is almost ashamed of his good deeds.

The Lost Viol

M.P. Shiel

Romantic mystery novel first published in New York by Clode in 1905. Matthew Phipps Shiel (18651947) was a prolific British writer of West Indian descent. Shiel was more than just a writer of sensational tales of magic and mystery. There is an undercurrent of philosophic seriousness running beneath the finely textured prose of all his fiction. Like his contemporaries George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) and H. G. Wells (1866-1946), Shiel wrote out of the intellectual fervor of his times when the impact of Darwins theories and the revolutionary strides being made in the material sciences were shaking to the roots the philosophical and religious underpinnings of the closing nineteenth century.

Trylogia Saska (tom 3). Z siedmioletniej wojny

Józef Ignacy Kraszewski

Do pruskiego Berlina przybywa osierocony młody Szwajcar Maks Henryk de Simonis. Pragnie za wszelką cenę zrobić karierę. Przypadek styka go z samym monarchą, Fryderykiem Wielkim... Wobec dojrzewającego konfliktu z Saksonią zostaje wyprawiony do Drezna. Ma pełnić rolę informatora Prusaków. Tam przeżywa liczne, związane ze swą misją, przygody. Zawiera ciekawe i pożyteczne znajomości, m.in. z sekretarzem ministra Brühla młodym polskim szlachcicem Masłowskim. Nim jednak w pełni rozwinie działalność, zagrożony zdemaskowaniem zmuszony jest uciekać i ukrywać się. Uczucie do pięknej baronówny Pepity von Nostitz oraz dalszy gwałtowny rozwój wypadków wkroczenie Prusaków do Drezna wplątują go w ryzykowną grę, z której nie potrafi się wywikłać... Przygodowy wątek postaci fikcyjnych rozwija się równolegle z wątkiem historycznym ukazującym autentyczne stosunki na obu dworach (pruskim i saskim) oraz skryte dworskie gry polityczno-dyplomatyczne w trakcie przygotowań do nagłego najazdu Fryderyka II na Saksonię i toczonych później działań wojennych. Powieść Z siedmioletniej wojny wraz z Brühlem i Hrabiną Cosel tworzy tzw. Trylogię Saską Kraszewskiego.

The Obeah Murders

Hulbert Footner

The novel begins with the fact that Phil Nevitt, an employee of an American alcoholic beverage company, goes to Annunziata, the mythical island of Futners creation in the West Indies, to learn everything he can about the Randall Trantora rum. The Obeah Murders show their fantastic roots with so many genre influences (spy, western, adventure, supernatural and detective). In the end, however, the race issue was the most surprising and, ultimately, the most important aspect of the book. More Footner reviews will appear later this summer.

Nowele i opowiadania

Eliza Orzeszkowa

W swojej twórczości nowelistycznej Eliza Orzeszkowa podejmuje tematykę patriotyczną, często w zawoalowany sposób przywołuje wydarzenia powstania styczniowego, nie pomija też problemów polskiej wsi, takich jak uwłaszczenie chłopów i ich niedostateczny dostęp do edukacji, a także kwestii żydowskiej oraz emancypacji kobiet. W tomie Nowele i opowiadania znalazły się następujące utwory: Obrazek z lat głodowych, Szara dola, Sielanka nieróżowa, Silny Samson, Dobra pani, Oni, Oficer, Hekuba, Bóg wie kto, Gloria victis, A... b... c... , W zimowy wieczór, Panna Antonina, Dziwna historia, Ogniwa, Panna Róża, Przy dochodzeniu śledczym, Śmierć domu i Tadeusz.

Najpiękniejsze baśnie polskie

Praca zbiorowa

Klasyka baśni dla dzieci. W zbiorze znalazły się m.in. takie baśnie jak: Szklana góra, Waligóra i Wyrwidąb, Twardowski, Kwiat paproci, Z chłopa król, Królowa Bałtyku, O śpiących rycerzach w Tatrach, O Panu Jezusie i zbójnikach czy O rycerzu miłującym.

Gil Braltar

Jules Verne

Une armée de singes magotov dirigés par leur chef inhabituel a assiégé la forteresse anglaise de Gibraltar. La forteresse est la plus fortifiée du détroit de Gibraltar entre lEurope et lAfrique et est dirigée par le général McCackmail. Une armée de singes sempare dune forteresse de la péninsule ibérique la nuit grâce aux ruses de lEspagnol Gil Braltar, habillé en singe

Humor żydowski

Praca zbiorowa

Esencja humoru żydowskiego w najczystszej postaci. Zbiór dowcipów i humorystycznych opowiastek cieszących się ogromną popularnością. Dowcipy nie tylko bawią czytelnika, lecz także są źródłem informacji o tradycji, obyczajach i nakazach religijnych braci starszych w wierze. Wiele humorystycznych obrazków traktuje o sprawach dnia codziennego: miłości, szkole, handlu, pieniądzach, biedzie czy skąpstwie. Humor żydowski to humor, który się nie starzeje, nie traci uniwersalnej wymowy i bawi do dzisiaj.

Anne of Windy Poplars

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Anne of Windy Poplars is the fourth book in the Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery. In this book, 22-year-old Anne Shirley has left college to serve as principal of Summerside High School and settles down in Windy Poplars. Here her biggest challenge is the high-status Pringles family who are not what one would expect them to be. The novel features a series of letters Anne sends to her intended, Gilbert Blythe, who is completing medical school. Annes sweet disposition and usual cheerful nature assure her happiness wherever she finds herself. Read Annes journey in her own words and find out how she overcomes the hard times.

The Avenger

E. Phillips Oppenheim

Yet another collection of linked short stories from Oppenheim. By chance a young man and woman meet and set up an agency to aid Scotland Yard, but is romance in the air? This story deals with a young man and a young woman who make an informal partnership in criminal investigation. This whodunit murder mysteries collection brings to you some of Oppenheims finest murder mysteries to keep you at your toes: The Evil Shepherd Murder at Monte Carlo, or Wolves Amongst the Honey, The Glenlitten Murder and others. Phillips Oppenheim was an internationally renowned author of mystery and espionage thrillers. His novels and short stories have all the elements of blood-racing adventure and intrigue and are precursors of modern-day spy fictions.

The Secret of the Night

Gaston Leroux

Like The Mystery of the Yellow Room, The Secret of the Night is a Joseph Rouletabille mystery. The main character, detective Joseph Rouletabille must once again face a new riddle and solve it. This time it will be harder. In this case he is brought to Russia by the Czar to protect General Trebassof, whose assassination has been plotted by the revolutionariesthe Nihilists. The author again keeps all readers in tension to the end.

The Chinese Parrot

Earl Derr Biggers

Earl Derr Biggers second Charlie Chan novel took the detective to the California desert where he uncovers the reason for the mysterious disappearance of a millionaire. Biggers was always a great romance writer who simply incorporated mystery into his books to propel the story forward. The story concerns a valuable string of pearls which is purchased by a wealthy and eccentric financier. Charlie Chan embarks on an incognito journey across the desert to find the answer to a question a question posed by a dead parrot who spoke in Chinese. Chan goes undercover to solve a complex triple intrigue of fake identity, kidnapping and murder. Charlies first trip to the mainland is a sparkling adventure full of mystery and old-fashioned romance.

The Chorus Girl and Other Stories

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

Everything is there: a devoted wife, an unexpected admirer, an architects wayward son, an alcoholic father, an undertaker, a late secretary and a secret date. The story of a modest love that lasted until old age. Some may even want to be equal to such love.

Flug in den Weltenraum

Hans Dominik

Hans Dominiks Romane der 1920er Jahre waren vom damaligen Zeitgeist in Deutschland geprägt. Im Mittelpunkt seiner Handlungen stehen meist deutsche Ingenieure oder Wissenschaftler, die ihre Erfindungen und Entdeckungen gegen undurchsichtige Konzerne und feindliche Nationen verteidigen müssen. Seine Science-Fiction-Erzählungen erfreuen sich seit Anfang des vorigen Jahrhunderts bis in die Gegenwart großer Beliebtheit. Flug in den Weltraum ist ein Science-Fiction-Roman von Hans Dominik aus dem Jahre 1940. Forscher experimentieren mit radioaktivem Elementen, um den idealen Treibstoff für eine Weltraumrakete zu finden. Ein Forschungsteam aus Deutschland scheint dies zu schaffen, doch die Teams der Amerikaner, Engländer und Japaner erfahren auch davon. Wer wird diesen Wettstreit gewinnen? Nun beginnt der eigentliche Wettkampf um den Flug in den Weltraum...

Magdalens Vow

May Agnes Fleming

This is a goose bump story. In early October, on one stormy night, when the wind blew into a storm, and rain fell on her. The main character walked in all the rain from the station. This helped her strike a mortal blow. But she would still die. She didnt want anything but to return to the old house and die.

The Worlds Great Snare

E. Phillips Oppenheim

A breathtaking tale of intrigue, romance, and revenge from one of the twentieth centurys most prolific and popular authors of suspense. The Wicked Marquis is a story of privilege and the attempt to keep what has been lost. Marquis will go to any length to get enough money to enjoy his title, including forcing one of his daughters to marry an unsuitable candidate with money. Although this novel was published in 1919, its setting and subject is more consistent with a pre-war period. The morality of the Marquis, and his attitude towards other people, is clearly a product of the 19th century. The droit du seigneur is even invoked several times in the story. There is an interesting interplay among the characters regarding the evolution of morals, the rights of women, the effect of rigid moralism, and religious inflexibility.

The Top of the World

Ethel M. Dell

This is another Ethel Dell novel. Sylvia Ingleton is left motherless at an early age. Her father remarried a woman who is not happy to share her household with Sylvia. Soon, Sylvia is entangled in webs of deceit to get her married off. Boldly, she announces to her father and would be suitor that she will rejoin her fiancé of five years in South Africa. The backdrop of South Africas wilderness, drought, cloud bursts and love triangles leaves Sylvia in a struggle to survive. In this thrilling adventure, she finds her way like a lost child to her Top of the World. It is an astonishingly melodramatic novel, with a plot that moves with such gusto from one strong emotional situation to another that you only occasionally pause to consider how very exaggerated and improbable it is.

The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit

Charles Dickens

Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens is a story of selfishness, greed, and hypocrisy. The central character is old Martin Chuzzlewit, whose selfishness and cynicism, combined with his great wealth, cause him to mistrust everyone around him. Also a major character in the story is his relative, Mr. Pecksniff, an accomplished hypocrite, who covers his avarice with a mask of smooth piety and humility. Martin Chuzzlewit is a picaresque novel, which follows the genre convention of depicting the humorous adventures of a roguish hero of low social class who lives by his wits and corrupts society. As in most picaresque novels, the primary objective is social satire or criticism.

Up the Ladder of Gold

E. Phillips Oppenheim

The secretive financier and Press baron Warren Rand is working to bring about Global Peace and Disarmament, against the plotting of England, France, Germany, and Russia. The story expands to include the chief characters in Rands life: his security chief a British officer Tellesom who falls in love with Rands estranged daughter, the financier John Glynde and a large cast of evil Russian and German spies. His machinations of the gold market and international sabotage bring the major players to the table. The book shows the interesting attitudes of Europeans towards America, the failure of the Revolution in Russia, the plotting of Germany for a second war and how millionaire corners the gold market and tries bribing the most powerful nations to maintain peace for forty years.

Collected Short Fiction

H.P. Lovecraft

This is a collection of classic Lovecraft stories. What readers like about him is how he can terribly make everything seem, a feeling of fear and foreboding that his thick prose can create. These early works of H.P. Lovecraft were originally published in the first half of the 20th century. The Dunwich Horror and The Call of Cthulhu, which subsequently brought him a place as one of the most influential authors of the horrors of the 20th century.

Mała księżniczka

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Mała księżniczka to niezwykle wzruszająca opowieść o rezolutnej i obdarzonej wielkim sercem Sarze. Dziewczynka wychowuje się na pensji. Z uwagi na majątek ojca początkowo traktowana jest iście po królewsku. Na skutek tragicznych wydarzeń traci wyjątkową pozycję, stając się pospolitą, źle traktowaną służącą. Mimo to zachowuje radość ducha i przyjazne nastawienie. Wkrótce los wynagrodzi jej trudy, które tak dzielnie znosiła.

Golem

Gustaw Meyrink

Golem to powieść egzystencjalistyczna autorstwa Gustava Meyrinka, nawiązująca do legendy o Golemie istocie, którą rabin i alchemik utworzyli z gliny na kształt człowieka, ale pozbawioną duszy i mowy. Historia rozgrywa się w Pradze, a zaczyna od znalezienia w zamku na Hradczanach przez pewnego turystę kapelusza z wyszytym na metce imieniem i nazwiskiem. Właścicielem okazuje się rzemieślnik, który utracił wspomnienia.

The Coat of Arms

Edgar Wallace

1931 Edgar Wallace novel. The story begins with following the Arranway family and various people that touch their life. Sketchley, where the Coat of Arms roadhouse stands, is a place of strange happenings. A complicated trail of theft, arson and blackmail culminates in murder at the Coat of Arms roadhouse and T. B. Collett, the crack Scotland Yard detective, must cope with a cast of stock company suspects and an incompetent local detective. Little by little you can see that pretty much everyone had a reason to kill the victim. This is a dandy story with all the Golden Age mystery elements.

A Prince of the Captivity

John Buchan

A classic John Buchan story of espionage during World War I. It contains several familiar Buchan elements: a motley cast of characters, Great War intrigue, the use of disguises and linguistic talents, the concept of gaining inner strength from a beloved spot in nature, man against the forces of nature in less benign settings, a race against time and evil, and sacrifice for a greater good. This is the epic story of one mans courage. Adam Melfort released from jail just before the outbreak of World War I and becomes involved in intelligence work behind enemy lines. After the war he carries on seeking adventure and tries to prevent the assassination of the German Chancellor. A Prince of the Captivity is not a story about external events, but about what happens in Adams mind and soul as he tries to rebuild his life in a new pattern. However, the external events that forge Melforts soul are drawn from the toolbox of a skillful writer of thrillers.