In "May Brooke," Anna Hanson Dorsey weaves a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of human relationships, moral dilemmas, and the search for identity in a rapidly changing world. The novel, characterized by its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions, reflects the sentiments of 19th-century America, addressing themes of love, ambition, and social responsibility. Dorsey's keen observations of character and society reveal the delicate interplay between personal desires and soc...

Anna Hanson Dorsey was an American novelist and writer. A convert to Catholicism in 1840, she was a pioneer of Catholic literature in the United States.

From the torture of detainees at Abu Ghraib to unnecessary military attacks on civilians, this book is an account of the violations of international criminal law committed during the United States invasion of Iraq. Taking stock of the entire war, it uniquely documents the overestimation of the successes and underestimation of the failings of the Surge and Awakening policies. The authors show how an initial cynical framing of the American war led to the creation of a new Shia-dominated Iraq...

Professor Brankel, professor of Chemistry in Germany, comes across a possible chemical solution to turn base metals into gold (alchemy). Chasing a book from Germany to England he finds Sir Gilbert Harkness, a man consumed with his love of books. Professor Brankel begins the slow slide into madness when he discovers the final ingredient is "Maiden's Blood." His philosophical struggle of whether he could murder for the knowledge brings him to the edge of rationality.He just needs to ...

Augusta Jane Wilson, or Augusta Evans Wilson, ( 1835 – May 9, 1909) was an American Southern author and one of the pillars of Southern literature. Given her support for the Confederate States of America from the perspective of a Southern patriot, and her literary activities during the American Civil War, she can be deemed as having contributed decisively to the literary and cultural development of the Confederacy in particular, and of the South in general, as a civilizatio...

In "Fashion and Famine," Ann S. Stephens crafts a compelling narrative set against the backdrop of the social upheaval and economic disparities of the mid-19th century. This richly woven tale examines the intersection of fashion, class, and morality, exploring how societal expectations influence individual choices. Through her evocative prose and vivid characterizations, Stephens adeptly critiques the era's obsession with appearance while simultaneously showcasing the struggles of those af...

The novel follows the life of Thomas Wingfold, a curate in the Church of England, as he grapples with his own spiritual beliefs and questions his role as a clergyman. As he encounters various individuals and situations, his faith is tested, and he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.George MacDonald's writing often combined elements of fantasy and theology, and his works were known for their exploration of moral and philosophical themes. "Thomas Wingfold, Curate"...

Of all the houses which Martin Kendrick owned, he used the oldest and meanest for his own habitation. It was an old tumble-down building, on a narrow street, which had already lived out more than its appointed term of service, and was no longer fit to “cumber the ground.” But the owner still clung to it, the more, perhaps, because, as it stood there in its desolation, unsightly and weather-beaten, it was no unfit emblem of himself. Martin the miser! Years of voluntary privation, such as in...

Augusta J. Evans was a Southern writer in the late 19th century who was instrumental in writing historical fiction that depicted and romanticized life in the South during the 1800s.

Augusta J. Evans' "St. Elmo" is a quintessential work of 19th-century American literature that intertwines themes of redemption, love, and moral fortitude within the deeply evocative landscape of Southern society. Written in a rich and detailed literary style, the novel captures the emotional and psychological complexities of its characters, particularly the tormented and enigmatic figure of St. Elmo, who embodies both a tragic hero and a moral paradox. The narrative explores the tension b...

In "The Mystery of a Wheel-Barrow," W. Humer Ferguson presents a captivating exploration of the interplay between mundane objects and extraordinary possibilities. Set against a seemingly simple narrative framework, Ferguson employs a blend of irony and humor, immersing readers in a tale that skillfully dismantles the boundaries between the commonplace and the remarkable. The narrative is woven with rich, descriptive language and whimsical dialogue, reflecting the author's keen understandin...

George MacDonald was one of the foremost fantasy writers of the 19th century and influenced just about every writer that came after him. He was a mentor of Lewis Carroll, a friend of Mark Twain's, and a man who helped shape the works of authors like Tolkien.